The Hari Singapore to Open in 2027

SINGAPORE (JULY , 2026) – Harilela Hotels has set its sights on Singapore as the third home for its acclaimed hotel brand The Hari, complementing the existing properties in London and Hong Kong.

The spring 2027 opening will see the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre transformed into a luxury 326-bedroom hotel featuring a rooftop pool, executive lounge, dining and wellness experiences, and the brand’s signature revolving rota of artwork.

British designer Tara Bernerd, whose distinctive vision has shaped both The Hari London and The Hari Hong Kong, will bring her signature approach to The Hari Singapore. Balancing contemporary elegance with a strong sense of place, the design creates layered interiors that feel both sophisticated and welcoming, reflecting the energy and cultural character of Singapore.

“This hotel, like our sister properties in Belgravia and Wan Chai, will embody relaxed elegance punctuated by eccentricity, wit, culture and genuine heartfelt hospitality,” said the brand’s founder, Dr. Aron Harilela. “Singapore is key to our ambition to evolve The Hari in major international destinations.

Grounded in the Harilela family’s commitment to exemplary hospitality, each of The Hari hotels is a celebration of culture, design and impeccable service.

ITC Hotels Unveils Lakeview Bhimtal in Uttarakhand

Strengthening its presence with its 12th property in the region 

Bhimtal, July 2026: ITC Hotels Limited (ITCHL) announces the opening of 63-key Fortune Lakeview Bhimtal, a scenic lakeside retreat overlooking the serene waters of Bhimtal Lake in Uttarakhand.

Commenting on the launch, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, said: “Uttarakhand holds a special place in our portfolio, and the opening of our 12th hotel in the region speaks of our confidence in its growing appeal among travellers seeking meaningful experiences. Fortune Lakeview Bhimtal marks a happy milestone in our expansion journey around India’s high-growth and emerging leisure markets”.

Featuring thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, many offering panoramic views of the lake and surrounding Himalayan hills, the hotel provides an ideal base to explore the Kumaon region, with easy access to Nainital, Sataal, Naukuchiatal and Kainchi Dham.

Additionally, the hotel offers versatile banqueting and conferencing facilities for up to 200 guests, making it ideal for corporate off-sites, leadership retreats, intimate weddings and social celebrations. A dedicated boardroom caters to meetings, presentations and strategy sessions, while the lakeside setting creates a memorable backdrop for gatherings of every kind.

Guests can unwind with a range of wellness and recreational facilities, including an all-weather swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium and a soon-to-open spa.

For the food enthusiasts, the hotel offers distinctive dining experiences. Zodiac, the all-day dining restaurant, brings together local Kumaoni flavours and international favourites, while Neptune Bar offers a curated selection of wines, spirits and brews in a relaxed setting. The soon-to-open rooftop restaurant, Nakshatra, will elevate the experience further with open-air dining, sweeping lake views and starlit evenings.

Beyond the serene lake that lends the town its charm, visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor experiences, from boating and kayaking on Bhimtal Lake to scenic nature walks through pine and oak forests. The surrounding hills offer excellent opportunities for trekking, mountain biking, birdwatching, and photography, with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and lush valleys. Adventure enthusiasts can explore nearby paragliding sites, camping retreats, and off-road trails, while destinations such as Naukuchiatal, Sattal, and Mukteshwar provide additional options for kayaking, ziplining, rock climbing, and wildlife spotting. Whether it's a peaceful morning hike, a sunset by the lake, or an adrenaline-filled day in the mountains, Bhimtal offers a refreshing blend of relaxation and outdoor adventure throughout the year.

Hemant Dwivedi, Owner of Fortune Lakeview Bhimtal, added, “The opening of Fortune Lakeview Bhimtal marks an exciting milestone for us. As one of Uttarakhand’s most sought-after leisure destinations, Bhimtal appeals to discerning travellers seeking immersive experiences amidst nature. Together with ITC Hotels, we are committed to creating a distinctive hospitality offering that blends the destination’s charm with world-class service.

Fortune Lakeview Bhimtal aims to contribute to Bhimtal’s tourism growth, generate meaningful employment, and emerge as a preferred choice for leisure stays, weddings and corporate retreats."

Conveniently located within driving distance of Delhi NCR, and easily accessible via Kathgodam Railway Station and Pantnagar Airport, the hotel is well connected to key markets across Western Uttar Pradesh, including Bareilly, Moradabad, Rampur and Bijnor.

With its blend of modern comforts, destination-inspired experiences and signature hospitality, Fortune Lakeview Bhimtal is poised to become a preferred retreat for travellers seeking meaningful stays amidst the natural beauty of Uttarakhand—an experience that is truly unhurried by the lake, where every moment invites relaxation, connection and discovery.

With this opening, ITCHL expands its Uttarakhand portfolio to 12 properties, comprising hotels in Mussoorie, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Haldwani, Ranikhet, Jim Corbett, Nainital and Bhimtal, along with upcoming destinations in Selaqui and Mukteshwar.

Air India begins deploying B777-300ER with upgraded cabin interiors on flights to Melbourne from 1 July

Delhi-Melbourne flights will now operate with Boeing 777-300ER featuring upgraded cabin interiors
Introducing First Class cabins on Delhi-Melbourne flights 

Air India will deploy its B777-300ER aircraft featuring upgraded cabin interiors on flights between Delhi and Melbourne, effective 1 July, replacing the existing aircraft. This marks a significant enhancement in premium seat capacity on the route, comfort, and on-board experience, including the introduction of First Class on the route.

Configured in a three-class layout, Air India’s upgraded Boeing 777-300ER features 08 First Class suites, 40 fully flat Business Class beds, and 280 Economy Class seats, representing a substantial increase in premium capacity compared to the existing B787-8 on this route, which features 18 Business Class and 241 Economy Class seats.

The deployment brings a more consistent and elevated long-haul product to Air India’s Melbourne services, aligned with the airline’s ongoing transformation into a world-class global carrier.

Elevated Onboard Experience

Air India guests to Melbourne will now benefit from a wide range of enhancements including:

  • Luxurious private suites in First Class, offering leather-upholstered seats that convert into fully flat beds, privacy doors, an elevated on-ground and dining experience, and personalised service.

  • Significantly upgraded Business Class product, with fully flat beds offering enhanced comfort, space, and privacy, alongside improved soft product elements.

  • Wi-Fi internet connectivity, introduced on this route for the first time, enabling guests to stay connected with work or loved ones throughout their flight.

  • Refreshed food & beverage offering, including thoughtfully curated menus featuring the best of global cuisine alongside Indian favourites, complemented by a selection of premium wines and spirits.

  • Enhanced inflight entertainment, with a richer and more diverse content library across movies, TV shows, music, and more, catering to global tastes

Seamless experience on ground and in air

The aircraft upgrade complements Air India’s broader investments in elevating the end-to-end customer journey. This includes access to the airline’s new flagship Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport for eligible premium customers, offering a refined pre-flight experience with upgraded dining, seating, and service.

Together, these enhancements reflect Air India’s continued focus on modernising its fleet, upgrading its product offering, and delivering a seamless, high-quality experience across touchpoints.

Connecting India with Australia and beyond

Australia remains a key international market for Air India, with strong and growing demand for both business and leisure travel. The introduction of the Boeing 777-300ER on the Delhi–Melbourne route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening connectivity while offering a more competitive and globally benchmarked product.

Air India currently operates 4x weekly non-stop flights between Delhi and Melbourne and is scheduled to operate 7x weekly services on the route from 01 September 2026. The airline’s Delhi-Melbourne service also provides travellers with convenient, same-terminal connections via Delhi to destinations across Europe, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Milan, Zurich, among others.

Air India also operates non-stop flights between Delhi and Sydney, enabling similar seamless onward connections to and from destinations in the UK and rest of Europe. 

A Mindful Monsoon Escape: Embrace Wellness Amid Nature at Swastik Wellbeing Sanctuary

As the monsoon transforms the landscape into a lush green haven, it's the perfect time to slow down, reconnect with nature, and prioritise wellbeing. Nestled across 51 serene acres overlooking the tranquil Khadakwasla waters near Pune, Swastik Luxury Wellbeing Sanctuary offers an immersive wellness retreat where the calming rhythm of the rains enhances every experience.

Rooted in ancient wisdom and complemented by modern wellness practices, the sanctuary offers personalised Healing and Wellness programmes designed to address lifestyle concerns including weight management, gut health, diabetes care, sleep optimisation, cardiac wellness, women's health, fertility, stress management, digital detox, longevity, Panchakarma, and babymoon. For those simply seeking a restorative getaway, the Wellness Holiday offers the freedom to unwind with nourishing cuisine, mindful movement, deep rest, and peaceful moments surrounded by monsoon-kissed landscapes—without the rigidity of fixed schedules.

Taj Mahal, New Delhi hosts a Rendezvous with India’s master storyteller Laksh Maheshwari, ‘A Journey to Find Joy’

Conversations and more curated by The Chambers, India's very first exclusive business club

Laksh Maheshwari at Rendezvous presented by The Chambers, Taj Mahal, New Delhi

New Delhi,  July 2026: The Chambers, India’s premier exclusive business club, hosted a Rendezvous with master storyteller Laksh Maheshwari at Taj Mahal, New Delhi. Titled ‘A Journey to Find Joy’, the soul-stirring evening brought together members for an intimate and emotionally resonant experience, inviting them to reflect on the true meaning of Khushiyaan.

Set against the backdrop of Lutyens’s Delhi, the evening unfolded as a deeply immersive journey into human experience marked by Maheshwari’s signature blend of humour and emotional depth. His narratives, layered with wit and vulnerability, evoked moments of laughter, nostalgia and introspection in equal measure. The experience was elevated by a prelude of cocktails and canapés, culminating in a curated bowl meal experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director-Operations and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi said, “At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, our endeavour is to create experiences that are both culturally enriching and distinctly personal. The Chambers allows us to bring this vision to life through thoughtfully curated engagements that celebrate artistry, dialogue and meaningful connection. The Rendezvous with Laksh Maheshwari is a reflection of that philosophy.”

Rendezvous — a series of ultra-exclusive experiences curated for our esteemed members of The Chambers, is thoughtfully designed to engage and inspire, bringing together bespoke, niche experiences that are both enriching and memorable.

Hotelogix introduces Multi-Property Manager to strengthen group-level oversight for expanding hotel chains

Delhi, July/2026: Hotelogix, a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality technology solutions, announced the launch of its Multi-Property Manager, a solution built to help corporate teams at the head offices of growing hotel groups and chains achieve centralized portfolio-wide visibility and efficient operational control.

As hotel groups expand across locations, leadership teams often face common operational challenges, including fragmented visibility as key operational data reside across multiple systems or locations, making it difficult for corporate teams in all departments such as operations, revenue, distribution, marketing, etc., to track group-wide performance in real time, respond quickly and identify growth opportunities.

Hotelogix’s Multi-Property Manager addresses this need by providing the corporate teams with centralized control to manage their tasks effectively and efficiently across their portfolio. They can also dig deeper and gain more control of any property via single sign-on. Each department is well served with actionable centralised reports at group level and real time. This helps in managing the whole group more smartly and effectively

"Hotel groups today struggle with centralization of their business and manually collate their data at the corporate level to gain a group-wide view of their business. At best, they have no tools to help their corporate teams gain total control over the group's processes," said Aditya Sanghi, CEO of Hotelogix. "Acting as a central command center, our multi-property manager breaks down these barriers, empowering hotel leaders to unify data, centralize processes, and unlock the full potential of their portfolio."

With Hotelogix’s Multi-Property Manager, a single sign-on, corporate team can gain portfolio-wide visibility into revenue, occupancy, ARR, RevPAR, room nights, and availability. They can also centrally manage OTA allotments, configure travel agent and corporate profiles, and define user access. While the central reservation team can have clarity on property-level availability to tighten control over bookings, management can forecast future demand with visibility into business-on-books to optimize staffing and guest satisfaction. Additionally, cluster and group managers can stay on top of their business while on the go with the Multi-property Mobile PMS App.

“For a hotel group like ours, the ability to see group-level data in one place is transformative. Hotelogix’s Multi-Property Manager helps us benchmark performance, forecast demand, and optimize operations with better control over processes," said Abhijeet Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer at Grand Continent Hotels Ltd. Headquartered in Bangalore, Grand Continent Hotels Ltd. operates 25 properties with 1200+ rooms, serving value-conscious travellers, with 13 directly managed properties (12 in India and 1 in Dubai) and the rest affiliated to another Indian group. They are rapidly expanding their footprint in India.

Commenting on this, Hanky Lee, Founder of The Henry Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines, said, “As we manage more hotels and resorts across the archipelago, we are looking forward to using Hotelogix’s Multi-Property Manager to see each property’s performance in real-time.” The Henry Hotels and Resorts manages 12 properties and is working on expanding its portfolio count.

Hotelogix's industry-first, enterprise-grade multi-property management system, along with the 250+ growing groups it works with in emerging markets, will benefit from this release.

STAAH opens up new business channels across B2C, B2B segments for Bizzgrow Hotels

The group’s three properties — Silvotel in Indore, Hotel Skylon and Hotel Epsilon in Ahmedabad and The Hotel Bliss in Patna — have integrated STAAH’s Channel Manager into their system and clocked a boost in productivity, operations and revenue

Mumbai: July , 2026 – STAAH, an access company which is a leading global hospi-tech solutions firm, has enabled the properties of Bizzgrow Hotels in Ahmedabad, Patna and Indore to streamline their online distribution model by enabling the group to connect to new channels of business in B2C and B2B segment.

The properties have successfully integrated STAAH’s Channel Manager solution, enhancing their connectivity, expanding market reach, improving visibility across platforms, and driving higher booking volumes.

“Before we integrated STAAH’s Channel Manager, we had not tapped into several potential business channels in these cities, which was affecting the revenue across these locations. Now, we’ve gained momentum in productivity for all our hotels and are exploring new opportunities in the market that we never had access to before,” said Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD – Bizzgrow Hotels 

For hospitality groups with multiple properties, STAAH’s Channel Manager seamlessly aligns their bookings across OTA platforms  and the website through a single interface, ensuring real-time updates of rates, availability and guest data. As a result, hoteliers avoid over bookings and are able to enjoy the advantages of dynamic pricing.

STAAH’s Channel Manager also minimises manual involvement, cutting down the risks of human errors and enhances operational efficiency, thereby allowing the staff to remain focused on enhancing guest experiences, and hoteliers to drive higher revenue.

“For many groups like Bizzgrow Hotels, broadening their customer base and creating new business opportunities in the B2C and B2B segments is one of the most challenging aspects of the business. At STAAH, we invest a lot of time and effort in training our team to offer the most professional onboarding and training services to our clients, handholding them through every aspect of the transition,”

said Shoaib Ali – National Sales Head India, STAAH.

Where Privacy Meets Forest Luxury: Aahana Resort & Spa, Jim Corbett Becomes a Coveted Address for High-Profile Weddings

Aahana Resort & Spa, Jim Corbett continues to find favour with India’s most discerning families, most recently hosting the wedding celebrations of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Uttarakhand’s daughter, graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and distinguished members of the judiciary.                                                                       

New Delhi, June 2026: Set against the forests of Jim Corbett, Aahana Resort & Spa, Jim Corbett recently hosted the wedding celebrations of Ms. Megha Gupta, daughter of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Uttarakhand, Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, marking another significant milestone in the resort’s journey as one of the country’s most trusted addresses for private luxury weddings.

The celebration was graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Governor of Uttarakhand Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh along with close to 30 to 35 members of the judiciary, including senior figures from the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts. Their presence lent rare stature to the occasion and underscored the confidence Aahana has built among families whose celebrations call for discretion, care and impeccable execution.

The wedding unfolded as a forest-led celebration, with nature woven into the rituals, décor, dining and guest experience. The festivities began beneath Aahana’s banyan tree, regarded in Indian tradition as a symbol of longevity and new beginnings, setting the tone for a celebration rooted in blessing, family and place. Across the resort’s open-air venues, lawns, forest-framed spaces and Uttarakhand’s largest pillarless ballroom, the wedding brought together the intimacy of nature-led rituals with the scale and refinement expected of a high-profile celebration.

Conscious luxury remained central to the experience. Décor drew from the surrounding wilderness, while the culinary offering featured produce grown within Aahana’s in-house organic gardens, served farm-to-table across the festivities. Thoughtful planning, mindful use of resources and intuitive hospitality allowed the celebration to retain its grandeur while staying true to the resort’s nature-led philosophy. As part of the festivities, the couple and their families also planted a tree within the resort grounds, marking the occasion with a lasting symbol of growth, continuity and new beginnings.

Speaking about their decision to host the celebrations at Aahana, the Gupta family said, “Aahana’s connection with nature and its values were central to our choice of venue. The setting allowed us to create a wedding that felt both meaningful and responsible. The tree plantation ceremony by the couple and our families was a particularly special moment, one that will continue to hold meaning for years to come.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ayu Tripathi, Director, Aahana Resort & Spa, Jim Corbett, said, “The most memorable celebrations are the ones that feel deeply connected to the place they are set in. The Gupta family’s vision for this wedding resonated strongly with our own approach to hospitality and meaningful experiences. Set amidst the forests of Jim Corbett, the celebration brought together luxury and responsibility in a way that felt true to the destination. We were honoured to host the family and be part of such a special occasion.”

The wedding clearly speaks to Uttarakhand’s growing prominence as a destination for celebrations that seek more than conventional grandeur. As Devbhoomi, the land of the gods, the state carries a natural sense of blessing, purity and belonging, making it especially meaningful for weddings and personal milestones. Within this evolving tourism landscape, Aahana Resort & Spa, Jim Corbett continues to contribute to the state’s luxury hospitality narrative through high-profile weddings, wellness-led stays, Spa L’OCCITANE, private pool villas, farm-to-table dining, expansive lawns, forest-inspired outdoor venues and one of Uttarakhand’s largest pillarless ballrooms.

India’s Hotels Are Now a Rs 36,564 Crore Capital Market. A New NOESIS Report Maps It.

A new report from NOESIS Hotel Advisors studies around 125 hotel deals, 37,847 keys and Rs 36,564 crore of disclosed value. Its message to owners and investors is simple. In hospitality, the math decides everything.

MUMBAI, July2026:  NOESIS Hotel Advisors has released a new report titled The Art and Science of Buying and Selling Hotels. The report studies around 125 hotel transactions in India covering 37,847 keys and Rs 36,564 crore of disclosed deal value. Its point is direct. The Indian hotel is no longer just a business that hotel companies run. It has become a real investment asset. The buyers now include developers, family offices, institutional investors, lenders, landowners and a new wave of first generation owners.

Key numbers from the report

Transactions analysed

Around 125

Keys covered

37,847

Disclosed deal value

Rs 36,564 crore

Average value per key

Around Rs 0.97 crore

Largest buyer group

Institutional investors at Rs 21,812 crore

Value in multi city portfolios

Rs 15,095 crore

Source: NOESIS internal database of disclosed hotel transactions.

The numbers explain why money is moving into hotels. Across the deals studied, the average works out to about Rs 0.97 crore per key. That average hides the real story. Luxury hotels made up only 29 deals yet accounted for Rs 22,033 crore of value, at about Rs 1.68 crore per key. Budget hotels were the opposite. 48 deals moved 14,903 keys at about Rs 0.38 crore per key. Institutional investors alone were behind Rs 21,812 crore of the value. Large multi city portfolios accounted for Rs 15,095 crore, which shows that size on its own has become something investors will pay for.

The report speaks to every part of the hotel business. For an owner with a single hotel, it shows that the same asset can mean very different things to different buyers, so price per key alone tells you little. For a developer, it lays out six clear ways to enter, from buying a running hotel to taking on a distressed asset, a half built project, a part stake or a piece of land with hotel potential. For a family office or a wealthy investor, it turns rising incomes and growing travel into a clear way to take part without repeating other people’s mistakes. For an operator or a lender, it is a reminder that brand fit, capital structure and feasibility decide the next ten years of a hotel long before the first guest walks in.

“For most of the last two decades India treated hotels as a passion business. That time is over,” said Nandivardhan Jain, Founder and CEO of NOESIS. “A hotel is a working business that sits inside real estate. Its value comes from the cash it earns, not from the size of its lobby. Owners who understand this are building real wealth. Owners who do not are simply paying for someone else’s future purchase.”

The report draws on real NOESIS assignments. In one case in South India, a promoter who had put around Rs 110 crore into a 140 room hotel came to the firm to raise money to finish construction. On a closer look it was not a funding problem at all. The hotel had been built too large for its market and carried too much debt. The honest advice was to sell and protect the equity. The deal was finally closed at around Rs 94 crore. A Jaipur case went the other way. By turning a weekend resort into a wedding destination under the right brand, the owner lifted room rates and grew the property from around 70 rooms to 145.

A buyer pays only for what the business can support.

Nandivardhan Jain, Founder and CEO, NOESIS

“Most hotels in this country are still built on emotion, not evidence,” Jain said. “A buyer will never pay for an oversized building, vanity or a brand the owner simply likes. A buyer pays only for what the business can support. That one line explains most of the trouble we are called in to fix.”

NOESIS calls the report a working guide rather than market commentary. It covers the full life of a hotel deal. Market study, choosing the right asset, the true full cost of buying, structuring the debt and equity, the first hundred days after takeover, getting an asset ready to sell and a final due diligence checklist that turns every warning sign into a clear decision before any money moves.

“India still has too few quality hotel rooms and capital has finally noticed,” Jain said. “This is the best window in ten years to buy the right hotel or to sell a good one at the right price. The mistake is to buy or sell without doing the math first.”

NOESIS has invited hotel owners thinking about a sale and investors looking at a purchase to request the report and a private, no obligation view on their asset or deal.

Eight Continents Brings Hanric to Varkala, Deepening Its India Hospitality Footprint

New Delhi, 2026: Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, a UK-based luxury hospitality and hotel management group redefining emotique hotels through distinctive design, cultural authenticity, and personalised experiences, has announced the launch of Hanric, Varkala, marking a strategic expansion of the Hanric by Eight Continents brand along India's southern coastline. The opening further strengthens Eight Continents' presence in experiential hospitality across India and reflects the Group's continued focus on growing its portfolio across high-potential travel markets.

Located in the heart of Varkala, the newly developed property has been designed to offer travellers a contemporary stay experience inspired by the destination's distinctive coastal character. Renowned for its dramatic cliffside views, pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and growing wellness tourism appeal, Varkala has emerged as one of India's most sought-after coastal getaways, attracting visitors seeking a blend of relaxation, exploration, and authentic local experiences.

Hanric, Varkala features 32 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, bar, and banquet facilities, creating a versatile hospitality offering for leisure travellers, intimate celebrations, and social gatherings. Combining modern comforts with warm hospitality, the hotel provides guests with an ideal base to experience the natural beauty and unique charm of Kerala's coastline.

At Hanric, Varkala, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts will leverage its expertise in curating memorable guest experiences, driving operational excellence, and building destination-led hospitality offerings, ensuring the property evolves into a preferred stay destination within the region.

Speaking on the launch, Ms. Richa Adhia, Managing Director, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, said: "The launch of Hanric, Varkala marks an important milestone in the growth of the Hanric by Eight Continents brand. Varkala's growing popularity as a coastal getaway makes it a natural fit for our vision of creating distinctive hospitality experiences rooted in place and culture. Through this property, we aim to offer travellers an authentic connection to the destination while further strengthening our presence in India's growing experiential hospitality landscape."

This launch reflects Eight Continents' continued focus on expanding its presence in markets that offer strong tourism potential and growing demand for experience-led travel. With a diverse portfolio of brands including Treetop, Hanric, Stamps, Ocho Homes, and Signature Collection, Eight Continents Group currently operates across India, the United Kingdom, and East Africa. Its growing footprint spans Belfast, Guernsey, Zanzibar, Kasauli, Udaipur, Sariska, Jodhpur, Pushkar, and Varkala, reflecting a strong focus on building a design-led hospitality portfolio across emerging and established travel markets.

 

What if airports became destinations? Adani is investing ₹20,000 crore to make it happen

The first phase will span six airports, integrating hotels, retail, entertainment, convention and commercial infrastructure.

Adani Airport City Limited (AACL) has unveiled an ambitious programme to develop integrated airport cities across its airport network, bringing together hospitality, retail, entertainment, convention and commercial infrastructure within seamlessly connected, walkable urban districts.

Investment plans

The development represents an investment of more than ₹20,000 crore in the first phase. Approximately 22 million sq. ft. will be developed across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati.

The development encompasses a land bank of over 655 acres across six airports in five states, including nearly 440 acres in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai alone. Nearly 70 per cent of the planned investment will be concentrated in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, reflecting the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s (MMR) position as India’s leading commercial, financial and aviation gateway.

Integrated developments

The developments are designed as integrated, walkable urban districts where travellers, businesses and local communities can access hotels, offices, retail, dining, entertainment and convention facilities within environments seamlessly integrated with airport, Metro and city transport infrastructure.

Leadership comments

Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL, said: “Around the world, the most successful airport districts have become centres of commerce, tourism and urban growth. As India’s aviation market expands, airports have an opportunity to create value far beyond aviation. We are creating a network of integrated urban destinations where airports become catalysts for investment, employment, better passenger experiences and the long-term growth of the cities they serve.”

The development is inspired by globally successful airport districts such as Singapore’s Changi, Dubai International, Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon, bringing an airport-led development model to India’s rapidly expanding aviation market.

“These developments are being designed with leading global design and engineering partners and informed by emerging trends in hospitality, retail, workplaces and entertainment,” Adani added. “Our objective is to create vibrant districts that combine connectivity with experience, generating economic activity, employment and long-term value for the communities around them.”

Airport City model

Unlike conventional real estate developments, the Airport City model is designed around connectivity and experience. Rather than functioning as standalone developments, the districts are being planned as natural extensions of the airport ecosystem. By integrating hotels, workplaces, retail, entertainment and convention facilities within a single master-planned environment, the developments aim to create vibrant, walkable destinations that contribute to the economic vitality of the surrounding cities.

Hospitality partnerships

As part of the initiative, AAHL has signed hotel management agreements with IHG Hotels & Resorts for five luxury and premium hotels, including the debut of the Kimpton brand in India. The company is also engaging with leading domestic and international partners across hospitality, food and beverage, retail and entertainment.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key pillar of the programme. All Airport City projects have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), reflecting a focus on resource efficiency, sustainable design, walkability and high-quality public spaces.

Project partners

At the launch event today, AACL felicitated its partners across master planning and architecture, including Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Benoy and Znera Space; construction, design and build, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Tata Projects Ltd and PSP Projects Ltd; and consulting and project management, including CBRE, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield

From Zo House Bangalore to Y Combinator: How an 18-year-old built a $7,239 MRR startup in 72 hours

The founder is among several Zo House residents accepted into Y Combinator's 2026 startup cohorts.

Discussions around startups often focus on funding, accelerators and mentorship, while the role of a founder’s living environment receives less attention. Zo House, which describes itself as India’s first permanent hacker house network, provides residential spaces designed for startup founders.

Y Combinator founders

Savio Martin, one of the youngest Indian founders ever accepted into Y Combinator (Spring 2026 batch, at 18 years and 10 months), first caught the world’s attention when his side project SimpleClaw hit $7,239 MRR within 72 hours of launch, trended on X with 1.3 million impressions, and scaled to $40K MRR. That velocity earned him a spot at YC, where he chose Zo House Bangalore as his base for the batch. It was inside that ecosystem that he built Result (result.dev), a unified platform that takes a founder from idea to incorporated company with product, finances, taxes, and marketing in one place, featured by Y Combinator on June 10, 2026.

The pattern continued into the very next batch, Harish Ashok, 17, a Zo House Bangalore resident, has been accepted into Y Combinator Summer 2026, where he is building Markov, a platform creating reinforcement learning environments that teach AI to use computers. Also from the Zo World ecosystem, Shubham Palriwala and Parth Ajmera, co-founders of Agnost AI, infrastructure for self-improving AI agents already working with Google and Exa AI, have been accepted into the same batch.

Zo House model

Zo House was built on a foundational belief: that the physical space a founder inhabits shapes the quality and speed of what they build. Unlike co-working spaces that offer desks or accelerators that offer programming, Zo House offers something harder to manufacture: a permanent community of builders who live, think, and ship together. The people in the next room are not colleagues. They are co-founders, future investors, and the kind of peers whose daily intensity raises your own baseline.

Leadership comment

“India has world-class founders. What it has lacked is world-class founder infrastructure, the kind of environment where ambition compounds because of who you are surrounded by every single day. Zo House exists to build exactly that,” said Aviral Gupta, CEO of Zostel and Zo World.

Expansion plans

Zo House Bangalore is the first location in Zo World’s planned network of permanent hacker houses across India. The model is designed as a long-term residential community for startup founders rather than short-term accommodation.

The expansion comes as India sees a growing number of early-stage founders building startups for global markets, with Zo House offering a dedicated living and collaborative environment for entrepreneurs.

The Art of Exceptional Pizza Finds a Home at Poppy Udaipur

In a city known for its heritage and evolving culinary culture, Poppy Udaipur has become a standout dining destination, especially for its artisanal approach to Italian food.

Located in a restored heritage bungalow, Poppy is built on a simple idea made with craft, patience, and intention. This is most visible in its pizza programme, where fermentation, technique, and quality ingredients come together to create consistently well-executed dishes.

Signature pizzas include the Pomodori Pepe (sun-dried tomato pesto), Almond Florentine Pie, Ecstasy (aubergine pesto), and The Italian Grandma (a six-cheese pizza with a hint of spice). Each pizza is designed to feel distinct in flavour, while staying rooted in classic Italian style.

Poppy’s Italian offering extends beyond pizza. The oven section features dishes like the Smoked Scamorza Doughball, Smoked Chicken Pepperoni Panuozzo, and Stuffed Garlic Breads. The menu also includes hand-rolled artisanal pastas such as Radiatori, Mafaldine, Girelle, Gnocchi, and Ravioli, highlighting texture-driven, comfort-led Italian cooking.

Alongside this, Poppy brings equal focus to rare and authentic Rajasthani cuisine from the Bedla family legacy. Key dishes include Smoky Laal Maas, Banjara Aaloo, Gobhi Lal Shorba, and Hari Mirch ka Paneer recipes that are rich, regional, and rarely found on restaurant menus across India.

This dual identity Italian craft and Rajasthani heritage—defines Poppy’s menu. Every section feels intentional, and every dish is designed to make guests curious about what comes next.

Over time, Poppy has grown into one of Udaipur’s most recommended restaurants, driven largely by word-of-mouth, travel discovery, and returning guests.

“Every dish is built with intention—whether it’s pizza, pasta, or traditional Rajasthani food. Our focus is on flavour, balance, and making sure guests always want to explore more of the menu,” shares the team at Poppy.

As Udaipur continues to grow as a culinary destination, Poppy stands out for bringing together two distinct cuisines under one roof—crafted Italian food and authentic regional Indian cooking—both executed with equal depth and care.

Revel Travel Partners with Kappa FuturFestival to Bring Italy’s Premier Electronic Music Experience to Indian Travellers

Mumbai, June 2026: Attending premier international music festivals has traditionally been a complex undertaking for Indian travellers, requiring navigation of visa appointments, flights, accommodation, ticket purchases and unfamiliar destinations. However, the landscape is shifting rapidly as Indian audiences increasingly pursue global travel experiences. Recognising this growing appetite, Revel Travel has become an official travel partner of Italy’s celebrated Kappa FuturFestival, scheduled for July 3 to 5, 2026 in Turin.

Held at Parco Dora—an iconic industrial venue transformed into Europe’s leading electronic music destination—Kappa FuturFestival attracts over 120,000 attendees from 150 countries annually. The festival has established itself as a premier gathering for international techno and house music enthusiasts, featuring more than 130 DJs across six stages.

Festival tourism has emerged as a defining trend in international travel. A new generation of travellers now plans itineraries around concerts, sporting events and cultural experiences rather than traditional sightseeing. Experience-led travel has created opportunities for platforms like Revel Travel to simplify access to global events and remove logistical barriers that deter Indians from taking that crucial first international festival trip.

As an official travel partner, Revel Travel provides Indian travellers with curated Kappa FuturFestival packages that bundle accommodation, festival passes and transfers—eliminating the complexity of coordinating these elements separately. Travellers can focus entirely on the experience rather than logistics.

Speaking about the partnership, Sahil Wahid, Director at Revel Travel, said: “Kappa FuturFestival is an extraordinary cultural moment. We’ve witnessed growing appetite among Indian travellers for experiences that transcend typical holidays. Music festivals today merge culture, travel and community. This partnership exists to remove barriers and make it possible for Indians to immerse themselves fully in these transformative experiences.”

As international festivals increasingly function as cultural destinations, the question is no longer whether Indians want to attend—it’s how to make the journey seamless. Partnerships like this one are making that future

Mumbai Meet Seasee : A Curated Edit of Southeast Asian Street Eats

founded by the team behind Mirai, Seasee presents a travel-inspired menu shaped by the street food culture of Southeast Asia.

Mumbai, June 2026 - Mumbai’s culinary landscape welcomes a new Southeast Asian dining destination with the launch of Seasee, a contemporary restaurant dedicated to the vibrant street food traditions of Southeast Asia. Recently opened on June 24th, 2026, in Bandra, Seasee brings together a thoughtfully curated menu inspired by years of travel, exploration, and culinary immersion across the region.

Founded by hospitality entrepreneurs, Saamir Chandnani and Rinchen Angchuk (founded Kofuku & Heng bok) with years of experience shaping Mumbai’s dining scene through successful ventures like Mirai, Seasee represents a natural evolution of their culinary journey. United by a shared appreciation for travel-driven food experiences, the founders envisioned a space that celebrates the accessibility, boldness, and spontaneity of Southeast Asian street food while remaining true to its original flavours and spirit.

In a city like Mumbai, where street food forms an essential part of its cultural and culinary identity, Seasee arrives with a concept that feels both familiar and refreshingly distinct. Drawing inspiration from Southeast Asia’s bustling food streets, hidden alleyway eateries, open-air markets, and roadside grills, the restaurant presents an elevated yet deeply authentic interpretation of the dishes that define the region’s everyday food culture.

Speaking about the launch, Founder Saamir Chandnani says, "After years in hospitality and building concepts like Mirai together, Rinchen and I travelled across Southeast Asia and found ourselves returning to the same kind of places - the busy food streets and local eateries serving some of the most memorable meals of our trips. That journey became the inspiration for Seasee. This is our way of bringing those experiences together and celebrating the authentic flavours, energy, and diversity of the region's street food culture in Mumbai." 

The name Seasee itself reflects the philosophy behind the concept: an abbreviation for “Southeast Asian Street Eats Edit.” Conceived as a curated edit of the founders’ most memorable food experiences across Southeast Asia, the restaurant brings together flavours and dishes discovered through their travels across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Every dish on the menu is rooted in personal experiences, conversations, and moments shared across these destinations.

While the menu draws inspiration from across the region, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia form the strongest culinary influences at Seasee. Rather than focusing on a singular cuisine, the restaurant embraces the diversity of Southeast Asia as a whole - bringing together flavours, techniques, and dishes that coexist across its many cities and cultures.

A Menu Inspired by the Streets of Southeast Asia

Seasee’s menu begins with a selection of comforting broths and vibrant salads, inspired by the everyday food culture of Southeast Asia. Signature soups include the classic Tom Yum, infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chilli, alongside the deeply comforting Vietnamese Pho layered with aromatic herbs and delicate flavours. Fresh, tropical flavours continue through dishes such as the Thai Mango Salad, where raw mango, herbs, chilli, and citrus dressing come together in a bright expression of Thailand’s street-side dining culture. 

At the core of Seasee’s menu is a carefully assembled selection of small plates and street-style appetisers designed to recreate the experience of discovering food across Southeast Asia’s vibrant street markets. Built around bold flavours, layered textures, and regional authenticity, the menu encourages guests to explore and share.

Highlights from the small plates include the crisp Poh Pia Tod, inspired by Thailand’s iconic spring rolls; smoky Smoky Wok-Tossed Prawns finished in rich Southeast Asian sauces; and the Singapore Chilli Crab Lajiao, a reinterpretation of one of Singapore’s most recognised street food dishes. The Chicken Satay, influenced by the charcoal grills of Indonesia and Malaysia, is paired with a rich peanut sauce, while the playful Money Bag offers crisp golden dumplings stuffed with edamame and vegetables .

Additional offerings include handcrafted Wild mushroom Bao, Chicken Cilantro Dumplings, and Honey Lotus Bliss preparations inspired by the region’s balance of sweet, spicy, and savoury flavours.

Moving into the mains, Seasee continues its culinary journey through a selection of wok-fried noodles, fragrant curries, comforting rice dishes, and regional specialties. Signature offerings include the Pad Thai Noodles, a staple of Thailand’s street-side dining culture; Mee Goreng inspired by Indonesia and Malaysia’s hawker stalls; and the Thai Green Curry, that captures the vibrant flavours synonymous with Thailand's culinary landscape. 

The menu further features dishes such as Hainanese Chicken Rice from Singapore, Pad Krapow from Thailand, and Malaysian Char Kway Teow for a smoky wok flavour. Seafood-led dishes like Pla Kapong - a crisp whole seabass finished with sharp Thai herbs and sauce - reflect the bold, flavour-forward style synonymous with Southeast Asian coastal cuisine.

Adding to the street-food experience is Seasee's interactive wok station, where guests can customise their meal with a choice of noodles, rice, proteins, sauces, and toppings. Inspired by the quick-fire energy of Southeast Asia's night markets, the station offers more than just made-to-order dishes. Diners who order directly at the wok counter can jump the queue and have their creations cooked on priority, just as they might at a bustling food stall on Khao San Road or in Hoi An's night markets. 

Desserts at Seasee continue the regional narrative with familiar Southeast Asian classics and tropical influences. Guests can expect Mango Sticky Rice, Pandan Burnt Basque Cheesecake, and Lapis - the traditional Indonesian-Malaysian layered cake, alongside lighter, playful creations such as Khanom Buang and Coconut Cloud French Toast.

A Cocktail Programme Rooted in Southeast Asian Flavours

Complementing the food menu is a cocktail program curated by co-founder Samir Chandnani . Inspired by ingredients and flavour profiles found across Southeast Asia, the beverage program incorporates tropical fruits, herbs, spices, and citrus-forward elements designed to pair seamlessly with the menu.

Highlights include Jack-Pot, a vibrant mix of vodka, jackfruit, pineapple, basil, and charred capsicum; Missed The Tuk Tuk, a tropical combination of coconut-washed rum, passionfruit, and citrus; and Rice Rice Baby, featuring jasmine rice-infused vodka balanced with lemongrass, coconut water, and citrus.   

For those who enjoy spirit-forward serves, Grind On My Thai reimagines the Negroni through the lens of Bangkok with cacao gin, Thai vermouth, and Campari, while Sip On My Scooty brings together turmeric-infused gin, yuzu, ginger, and sweet lime. With names that spark curiosity and flavours that deliver on the promise, the cocktail menu is designed to be every bit as fun, vibrant, and memorable as the streets that inspired it.

Designed in collaboration with the Holy Duck team, Seasee’s interiors reflect the dynamic and unpretentious energy of Southeast Asia’s food streets. The approximately 60 seater space balances warmth and vibrancy through layered textures, relaxed seating, and contemporary design elements that create an atmosphere centred around communal dining and discovery.

The interiors at Seasee are designed as a visual extension of the menu's travel-led narrative, bringing Southeast Asia's vibrant street food culture to life through bespoke illustrations, playful artwork, and immersive design details. From mythical creatures and animals enjoying regional dishes to scenes of bustling hawkers and food stalls, the space celebrates the people, places, and flavours that inspired the concept. House-inspired structures, window-style installations, and cosy booth seating recreate the charm of Southeast Asia's neighbourhood eateries, while an interactive wok station allows guests to customise their meals and enjoy a touch of the spontaneity synonymous with the region's bustling food streets. 

With Seasee, the founders aim to introduce a concept that goes beyond cuisine alone - one that captures the memories and spirit of Southeast Asia’s most beloved food destinations while offering Mumbai diners an experience rooted in authenticity, exploration, and shared moments around food.

Hyatt and Parks Hospitality Holdings Share New Details on Upcoming Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt Hotels in Mexico

Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and Grand Hyatt Los Cabos are slated to open in the second half of 2026, bringing two distinct expressions of the Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt brands to sought-after leisure destinations, with an all-inclusive experience thoughtfully integrated into each stay.

CHICAGO (June , 2026) — Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Parks Hospitality Holdings ("PHH") today announced that Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and Grand Hyatt Los Cabos, both owned by PHH and expected to open in the second half of 2026, will bring new expressions of the Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt brands in Mexico's leading leisure destinations, with an all-inclusive offering designed to complement each brand's distinctive identity and guest experience.

Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and Grand Hyatt Los Cabos will reflect this approach, combining globally recognized brands with strong loyalty among luxury, business and group travelers and Hyatt’s market-leading all-inclusive expertise, further strengthening Hyatt’s position in the leisure segment. 

“At Hyatt, we’re continuing to evolve how our brands connect with travelers, ensuring they remain distinct and compelling,” said Javier Águila, President, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt. “Drawing on our deep expertise and leadership in elevated all-inclusive, we’re selectively bringing this model to these two new hotels, combining the ease of all-inclusive with the exceptional design, service and sense of place that define the Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt brands.” 

This move reflects Hyatt and PHH’s shared focus on thoughtful growth in high-demand leisure destinations and on creating resorts that express each brand authentically while responding to how guests are traveling today. 

“These two openings represent a defining moment—not only for PHH, but for Mexican tourism as a whole. With more than 11,000 hotel rooms across our portfolio, we have built this company on a deep, unwavering conviction in Mexico's potential as one of the world's premier destinations,” said Charles El Mann Fasja, CEO, Parks Hospitality Holdings. “Our collaboration with Hyatt is a natural expression of that conviction—and one we are truly excited about. Across our growing portfolio of more than 1,200 rooms with Hyatt, including Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and Grand Hyatt Los Cabos, we are bringing a new standard for luxury all-inclusive travel to two of Mexico's most celebrated destinations, as part of a long-term relationship built on a shared commitment to excellence and authenticity. Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and Grand Hyatt Los Cabos are not just resorts; they are a statement of confidence in this country, in this industry, and in the guests who choose Mexico time and time again.”

Park Hyatt Riviera Maya: The refinement of Park Hyatt, the freedom of all-inclusive

Slated to open by the end of 2026 on a secluded stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline between Cancún and Puerto Morelos, Park Hyatt Riviera Maya is poised to redefine the luxury all-inclusive experience for the region. One shaped by the Park Hyatt hallmarks: residential luxury, highly personalized service, exceptional culinary experiences, and a strong connection to the destination that will run through every part of the stay.

The resort will sit within AMAI, a private coastal enclave reached through a winding mangrove landscape that gradually opens to the sea. From the moment guests arrive, there will be a feeling of stepping away from the outside world. Even at full occupancy, the resort is designed to feel spacious and unhurried, with a layout that moves naturally between privacy and connection.

Across the property, Mexico will come through in craft rather than theme. Architectural details will draw on local materials and techniques, with millwork, furnishings and artwork created alongside regional artisans. The result will feel grounded, contemporary, and unmistakably of its place.

The 148 guestrooms and suites will look out across the Caribbean blue, designed with Park Hyatt’s residential sensibility. Select accommodations will include private pools and plunge pools, alongside a 2,300 square foot penthouse for guests seeking a more expansive retreat.

Service will be intuitive and highly considered. Each guest will be supported by a dedicated Resort Ambassador from pre-arrival onward, creating a stay that feels personal from the outset. There will be no signatures to chase or interruptions to navigate, just the ease of knowing everything has already been taken care of. 

Food and drink will sit at the heart of the experience. A chef-led culinary program will span seven distinct venues, each with its own point of view. Dining will be entirely à la carte, with refined Mexican cuisine and seafood at the center, balanced by global influences handled with restraint. Mornings will begin at the coffee bar with a curated selection of Mexican beans, while evenings will move between intimate restaurants and The Botanist cocktail bar. Sommelier-led wine and premium spirits programs will run throughout.

Wellness and leisure will follow the same rhythm. There will be a beachfront pool lined with private cabanas, an open-air spa garden with secluded treatment spaces, daily wellness rituals, and preferred access to El Tinto Golf Course. Indoor and outdoor event spaces will be woven naturally into the resort, designed to feel considered rather than conventional.

Park Hyatt Riviera Maya will signal a new chapter for luxury all-inclusive, where the experience is defined by the details: the pace of service, the quality of what is on the table, the feeling of space and the elegant confidence that defines a Park Hyatt stay.

Grand Hyatt Los Cabos: A Dynamic Destination for Leisure and Celebrations 

Expected to open later this year within the Oleada Pacific Living & Golf oceanfront community in Cabo San Lucas, Grand Hyatt Los Cabos Resort, Golf & Spa will be an all-inclusive resort that brings together bold, Baja-inspired architecture, expansive resort experiences for leisure travelers and group gatherings associated with the Grand Hyatt brand.

The resort will feature 301-rooms comprised of 244 standard rooms and 57 suites, with 42 swim-out rooms included within those totals. Offerings include one-bedroom suites and a 4,602-square-foot Presidential Suite, many featuring bathtubs, plunge pools or private pools. The rooms and suites are designed as refined coastal retreats with breezy balconies, natural light, elegant marble bathrooms and thoughtful spaces for gathering. 

The resort will offer more than 20,000 square feet of sophisticated indoor meeting and event space, complemented by outdoor garden venues that reflect the signature Grand Hyatt blend of grandeur, seamless functionality, and inspiring design for exceptional gatherings. 

Complementing the resort’s gathering spaces, Grand Hyatt Los Cabos will offer dynamic culinary programming with five à la carte restaurants and five vibrant bar concepts. Guests will enjoy experiences ranging from elevated beachfront dining and rooftop cocktails to lively poolside bars, a market café, a refined steakhouse, pan-Asian and Italian cuisine and an intimate speakeasy, each creating an atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from relaxed daytime experiences to spirited evenings. 

Set only minutes from Cabo San Lucas, the oceanfront resort will offer guests a pristine beachfront escape with amenities designed for both relaxation and activity, such as an 18-hole, world-class Ernie Els Design golf course, a fitness center, kids’ and teen clubs and pickleball courts. Guests can enjoy multiple ocean-view pools, including an adults-only pool, family-friendly infinity-edge pools, a beachfront family pool, and a dedicated splash park.

The resort’s expansive spa will feature 12 private treatment cabins and immersive wellness experiences inspired by the traditions and natural elements of Baja. Guests will enjoy hydrotherapy, steam and sauna rituals, as well as a traditional temazcal experience designed to promote restoration and wellbeing. 

These openings reflect Hyatt’s continued momentum in Mexico and its commitment to offering differentiated luxury and lifestyle experiences across the country. Following the recent openings of Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol and Alila Mayakoba, and ahead of the anticipated debut of Park Hyatt Mexico City later this year, Hyatt continues to expand its luxury portfolio in key destinations. At the same time, the recent re-opening of Secrets Mirabel Cancun Resort & Spa, following a complete renovation, underscores the strength and continued evolution of Hyatt’s all-inclusive offering in the region.

The Westin Pune Koregaon Park Welcomes Aafreen, a Culinary Destination Inspired by India’s Diverse Flavours

Pune: Bringing together the rich tapestry of India's culinary traditions under one roof, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park has unveiled Aafreen: Inspired Indian, a thoughtfully reimagined dining destination that celebrates regional flavours, timeless recipes and immersive storytelling through food. Blending heritage with contemporary craftsmanship, Aafreen invites guests to embark on a gastronomic journey across the country, where every dish reflects the culture, history and artistry of its place of origin. 

Leading Aafreen's new chapter is Master Chef Mohd. Mahtab Shaikh, a Lucknow-born Awadhi specialist trained under Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. With over a decade of experience, Chef Mahtab brings a deep understanding of India's culinary traditions, curating a menu that honours regional heritage while embracing modern techniques and presentation.

Evolving beyond its celebrated Awadhi roots, Aafreen now offers a culinary journey across India, bringing together artisanal small plates, tandoor signatures, slow-cooked delicacies, regional specialities, signature biryanis and desserts inspired by India's rich confectionery traditions.

The menu features standout dishes such as the legendary Kakori Kebab, flavourful Chicken Vepudu, aromatic Dum Pukht Gosht Biryani and Kerala-inspired Seabass Moilee, alongside indulgent desserts like the Brioche Shahi Tukda. Each dish reflects the unique flavours, traditions and stories of its region.

Complementing the cuisine is an immersive dining experience featuring handcrafted terracotta serveware, thoughtful tableside rituals and a curated cocktail programme inspired by indigenous botanicals, regional ingredients and Indian spices.

"With Aafreen, our vision is to celebrate the remarkable diversity of Indian cuisine through a menu that honours regional traditions while embracing contemporary craftsmanship. Every dish tells a story, inviting guests to experience the soul of India, one plate at a time," said Master Chef Mohd. Mahtab Shaikh, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park.

Blending evocative aromas, regional music, narrative-led service and elegant design, Aafreen: Inspired Indian offers guests an immersive journey through the flavours, stories and traditions that define India's vibrant culinary heritage.

SMOOR's Most Unique Couverture Chocolate Creations to Explore This World Chocolate Day

The most memorable chocolates are often the ones that challenge your expectations. Whether through unexpected flavour pairings, regional inspirations or exceptional craftsmanship, they offer something beyond the familiar bite. This World Chocolate Day, SMOOR, India’s leading luxury couverture chocolate brand, brings together a collection of its most distinctive creations, showcasing how premium chocolate can serve as a canvas for flavour exploration, creativity and craftsmanship.

United by Flavours Truffles Pack 

Inspired by ingredients and flavour traditions from across the country, the United by Flavours Truffles Pack offers a distinctly Indian take on luxury chocolate. Dates and cinnamon sit alongside coconut and lemon, orange and hazelnut, while Rajasthani chilli introduces an unexpected note of warmth. Crafted using Indian estate cocoa, it is a collection that reflects the diversity of India's palate through the lens of fine chocolate.

Price- ₹1,350

SMOOR x IRONHILL Orange Hops Dark 70%

Dark chocolate crafted using SMOOR's signature couverture and infused with Ironhill hops, layered with bright orange notes, is a collaboration that rarely finds its way into the world of chocolate. The bar balances rich cocoa with a subtle floral bitterness, resulting in a flavour profile that is layered, nuanced and distinctly contemporary.

Price- ₹350

Classic Podi Cashew Chocolate Nibbles 

These roasted cashews coated in chocolate and seasoned with South Indian podi spice draw inspiration from South India's much-loved podi spice blend. Bringing together roasted nuts, rich chocolate and a gentle savoury heat, they offer an interesting twist on a familiar snack, with flavours that feel both familiar and distinctly rooted in regional culinary traditions.

Price- ₹275

Luxury Couverture Chocolates Box 

For those who appreciate the finer nuances of chocolate, the Luxury Couverture Chocolates Box showcases what sets premium chocolate apart. Featuring 25 handcrafted couverture pieces with up to 70% cocoa, the collection delivers richness, depth of flavour and a refined chocolate experience. Presented in an elegant box, this collection is less a box of chocolates and more a statement.

Price- ₹2,249

Celebration Pack Box of 20 

Sometimes, the best part of chocolate is the variety. This 20-piece assortment brings together 4 Almond Snaps, 30 g Choco-Coated Almonds, 30 g Choco-Coated Butterscotch, 2Nougat Bars, 12 Choco Treats, the Celebration Pack Box offering a blend of textures and flavours designed to please every kind of chocolate lover. Generous, festive and beautifully curated, it is made for sharing.

Price- ₹795

Baileys x SMOOR Creamy Berries Chocolate Bar 

The Baileys Non-Alcoholic Creamy Berries Chocolate Bar brings together rich dark chocolate and the fruity sweetness of berries in an indulgent collaboration inspired by the iconic Baileys flavour profile. Smooth, creamy and full of character, it delivers a flavour combination that feels both comforting and contemporary.

Price- ₹195

Hot Chocolate 80% Extra Dark – Stir It Up 

Crafted for those who prefer to savour their chocolate rather than simply snack on it, this chocolate-on-a-stick delivers a rich and comforting hot chocolate experience. With 80% dark chocolate at its core, it offers depth, intensity and a welcome excuse to slow down, especially now that the monsoon is around the corner.

Price- ₹195

This World Chocolate Day, take a moment to savour chocolate differently. Whether you're drawn to familiar comforts or unexpected discoveries, SMOOR's collection offers something for every palate and every occasion worth celebrating!

Starline Hospitality Launches End-to-End Consultancy and Expansion Advisory Services for Hotel Owners and Investors

Starline Hospitality (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. has officially introduced its comprehensive suite of hospitality consultancy, asset management, and expansion advisory solutions. Led by Principal Hospitality Consultant Abhijit Dey, who brings over 28 years of industry experience, the firm delivers bespoke, data-driven strategies to transform independent properties and portfolios into high-performing hospitality assets.

Starline Hospitality supports owners, promoters, and institutional investors through six core integrated service pillars:

  - Operations Audits & SOP Development: Departmental evaluations and rigorous operational frameworks to optimize costs while maintaining the guest experience.
  - Sales, Loyalty & Membership Development: Advanced channel analysis and custom loyalty programs designed to optimize revenue across corporate, MICE, and direct booking channels.
  - Asset Procurement & Expansion Advisory: Market diligence, feasibility studies, and commercial negotiations for lease, management contract, and hybrid expansion models.
  - Project Development & Asset Management: Strategic support from greenfield builds to property repositioning, including Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and P&L oversight.
  - Training & Leadership Development: Tailored capability building, including Leadership Development (LDP) and Train-the-Trainer (T3) programs.
  - Quality Assurance & Brand Positioning: Compliance auditing, NPS tracking, and brand repositioning frameworks to increase long-term asset value.

"Every recommendation we make is anchored in financial reality," says Abhijit Dey, Principal Consultant at Starline Hospitality. "We embed ourselves as trusted partners within our clients' organizations, offering tailored, transparent advisory cycles that guarantee performance and sustainable growth."

Three Sky-High Thai Bars Put Sunset on The Menu with Diverse Dining Experiences

HAILAND, (June , 2026) – From artisan Thai cheese and local wine pairings in Chiang Mai to Spanish-style social hours in Bangkok and wood-smoked Peking duck overlooking Pattaya’s coastline, a trio of sky bars across Thailand are pairing panoramic sunset views with markedly different food and drink experiences.

Meliá Chiang Mai’s MAI The Sky Bar is offering ‘Artisan Thai Cheese & Wine Pairing’ daily from 6pm, featuring a glass of Thai wine from Monsoon Valley in Hua Hin paired with a rotating selection of artisanal cheeses from Chiang Mai producer Jartisann. The small-batch cheesemaker works with locally sourced raw milk, with selections changing according to seasonal availability.

‘MAI The Sky’ cocktail references the venue’s golden hour by blending lychee and vanilla beneath a cloud-like cava air foam, topped with a miniature aeroplane designed to mirror aircraft visible overhead. Cocktail ‘Temple’ combines Siam Lanna Gin with a Niem-Sompoi cordial made with Sompoi, a botanical associated with spiritual cleansing, and Niem leaves.

This month named a 2026 Tatler Best Spotlight Bar by Tatler Asia, the 360-degree rooftop bar on the hotel’s 22nd floor affords views of the Ping River to the city’s east and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west. A glass bridge connects the bar’s highest seating areas.

In Bangkok, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar stages a two-for-one sunset drinks promotion daily dubbed ‘Social Hours’ from 5-7pm, pouring selected wines, Chang draught beer and signature cocktails. Options include Tinto Sour, made with bourbon whiskey, red wine, lemon and sea buckthorn-rooibos honey, and Cremoso, which combines white rum, cava sparkling wine, tiramisu syrup, mascarpone and soy milk.

As the sun sinks, the hotel’s 34th floor, featuring a pool bar, transparent infinity pool, and rooftop terrace dotted with outdoor lounges, sunbeds and a contemporary interpretation of Bangkok’s Brahman structure The Giant Swing, becomes an upper-floor extension of 33rd floor LUZ. In a spectacle unlike any other in Bangkok, diners on the 33rd floor peer into the bottom of the pool.

The venue has also launched a new menu by Madrid-born Spanish Chef de Cuisine Juan Ignacio García Racionero, with dishes referencing regional Spanish styles including Basque pintxos, Madrid-inspired tapas, Andalusian seafood and eastern coastal rice dishes.

A short commute from Bangkok, Meliá Pattaya Hotel’s Yitong Chinese Restaurant & Sky Bar on the 12th floor offers ‘A Feast of Flavour’ experience underpinned by a traditional wood-smoked Peking duck Hong Kong style, served from 5pm, with traditional accompaniments and Gulf of Thailand vistas. Paying homage to the longstanding Chinese communities of Chonburi and their shrines and markets, the name Yitong translates to “together”, with dishes served family-style to encourage shared meals and connectedness.

The food and beverage menus have a prime focus on “goodness for the body, mind and soul”. The cocktail list incorporates Chinese ingredients and references throughout, with sunset signatures including ‘Kuaile De’, made with goji berry-infused gin, honey, lemon juice and cava; ‘Chun Hou’, blending brandy, orange curaçao, rosella tea and rose syrup; and ‘Tian De’, featuring Campari infused with ginseng alongside Chinese liquor and brown sugar syrup. Non-alcoholic options are similarly considered, with mocktails such as the ‘Virgin Chit-Cha Toddy’ comprising oolong tea, lemon juice, ginger syrup and cinnamon.