Cravings at Sayaji Hotel Vadodara Wins 'Family Restaurant of the Year 2026' at the Restaurant India Awards

Vadodara, 2026: Sayaji Hotel Vadodara is delighted to announce that Cravings, its signature all-day dining restaurant, has been honoured with the prestigious 'Family Restaurant of the Year 2026' at the Restaurant India Awards 2026. The recognition celebrates Cravings' unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, exceptional service and its ability to create memorable dining experiences for families and guests across generations.

A flagship dining destination at Sayaji Hotel Vadodara, Cravings has become synonymous with quality, variety and warm hospitality. Known for its expansive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, the restaurant offers an impressive selection of Indian and international cuisines, thoughtfully curated menus, seasonal food festivals and live culinary experiences that cater to every palate. Its inviting ambience and focus on comfort make it a preferred destination for family celebrations, festive occasions, business lunches, and casual dining alike.

Expressing his delight on the occasion, Anand Mishra, Director of Operations, Sayaji Hotel Vadodara, said, "We are honoured to receive the 'Family Restaurant of the Year 2026' award at the Restaurant India Awards. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of our guests, who inspire us to continually elevate our dining experiences. We remain committed to delivering exceptional hospitality and creating memorable moments for every family that dines with us."

The Restaurant India Award is a testament to the passion and dedication of the hotel's culinary and service teams, whose commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction has consistently elevated the dining experience at Cravings. Whether through curated regional food festivals, interactive dining concepts, or impeccable service, the restaurant continues to redefine family dining in Vadodara while upholding the signature hospitality that Sayaji Hotels is renowned for.

As Sayaji Hotel Vadodara continues to introduce innovative culinary concepts and guest-centric experiences, this recognition further strengthens Cravings' position as one of Gujarat's leading family dining destinations. With its blend of exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality and memorable experiences, Cravings remains committed to delivering dining moments that guests cherish and return for, time and again.

Pride Group of Hotels launches Pride Biznotel Manjusar, GIDC, Vadodara

Pride Group of Hotels launches Pride Biznotel Manjusar, GIDC, Vadodara

Pride Group of Hotels has launched Pride Biznotel Manjusar in GIDC, Vadodara in close proximity to the National highway. Located in Mukut Nagar, the hotel is well-connected by road to prominent commercial and leisure destinations around the city namely Manjusar GIDC, Halol GIDC, Statue of Unity, Champaner Fort, Pawagadh Temple and Sayaji Baug. Pride Biznotel brand is a moderately priced, upscale, full-service hotels that meet the discerning needs of a business traveler.

Announcing the launch, Atul Upadhyay, Vice President, Pride Group of Hotels, said “We are delighted to announce the launch of Pride Biznotel Manjusar, which is our 11th property in the State of Gujarat. We are buoyant on the industry's growth of Gujarat that has fuelled demand for upscale mid-market hotels in this region. We believe Pride Biznotel Manjusar with its strategic location, imposing décor, delectable food options, banqueting and host of hospitality services will appeal to business and leisure travellers in this region”

Pride Biznotel Manjusar boasts of elegantly designed rooms. All the rooms are fully air-conditioned and filled with modern amenities like LED television, ergonomic work table, tea/ coffee maker, iron and ironing board, wardrobes, high-speed internet connectivity and much more. The eclectic dining outlet comprises Café Pride – the multi cuisine restaurant that presents a variety of sumptuous cuisines and authentically prepared dishes. With an amalgamation of a vibrant and rich ambience, the restaurant takes pride in crafting delectable culinary voyages.

Pride BiznotelManjusar adds some zing to your business travel with state-of-the-art banquets and a sprawling lawn. The banquets are perfect to host private parties, social events and classified gatherings. The lush green lawn spans across 8,000 sq ft which is ideal for destination weddings, product launches, training sessions, team-building exercises and outdoor events. Guests can also enjoy a break at the Gym facilities within the hotel, like a re-energizing workout at the fitness centre.

Appointments | Courtyard by Marriott, Vadodara appoints Neil James as General Manager

Courtyard by Marriott, Vadodara - NOMA Hotels’ third managed property, owned and developed by NewCrestImage, USA has announced Neil James as General Manager. He assumed his new responsibilities effective March 1st, 2021.

In his new role, Neil will be responsible for overseeing the entire hotel operations. He has over 15 years of work experience; primarily with Marriott, IHG, and Starwood; and since 2018 with Auro Hotels (India) at Surat.

Starting as a hotel operations trainee, Neil worked his way through the rooms division hierarchy with stints at the Four Points Sheraton, Pune; Holiday Inn, Dubai; Le Meridien, Mahabaleshwar; and Le Meridien, Kochi, before joining Auro Hotels (India) at the Courtyard by Marriott, Surat as Rooms Division Manager. Based on his performance, he was later promoted as Director of Rooms at the Surat Marriott Hotel, where he played a vital role in the pre-opening activities; and, during the COVID-19 period.

Daxesh Patel, Owner and Chief Operating Officer for NewCastleImage, adroitly said, “Neil possesses the leadership skills, and the balanced approach required to operate and manage the Courtyard Vadodara Hotel.”

D.J. Rama, President & CEO, Auro Hotels, commented that “We are proud to see Neil growing and taking this leadership role. Growing our people is very satisfying company culture.”

Suresh Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, NOMA Hotels says that “Neil has been with our company for over three years. During this time Neil has shown values of sincerity, humility and aspiration. With his high energy, agility, leadership proficiency, caring for associates and guests, and, result-oriented approach, Neil’s performance has always exceeded expectations. As recognition of his efforts, Marriott International rewarded him with the 2018 “Stephen G. Marriott Culture Award”. Neil is an asset.”

Jane Brophy, Vice President, Full Service Operations & Shared Services at Auro Hotels said, “Neil is an exceptional leader with a proven track record who works tirelessly to elevate guests, associates, and owners' experiences by developing strong teams with a passion for the industry.”

In addition, Neil championed his team at Courtyard Surat win the coveted “Platinum Circle Award and the “Leadership Excellence Award” in 2018, and in 2019, the “Diamond Circle Award” and the “Stellar Guest Voice Performance Award in 2019.

Neil hails from the culturally rich city of Pune and is a true travel enthusiast and explorer who takes a deep interest in exploring newer locations that are historically and culturally rich and vibrant.