Appointment | Novotel Hyderabad Airport Elevates Parul Sethi as Director of Sales and Marketing

Novotel Hyderabad Airport Elevates Parul Sethi as Director of Sales and Marketing

National, June 2022:  Novotel Hyderabad Airport announces the elevation of Parul Sethi to director of sales and marketing. Coming with an experience of over 13 years in the hospitality industry, she has worked with affluent Indian and international chains of hospitality brands prior to initiating her journey with Accor group. In her previous role in 2019, she was the director of sales at Novotel Hyderabad Airport.

Parul has been a key contributor in planning and implementing ideas to increase the revenue of the property and to over achieve targeted budgets.  She will now be responsible for the entire sales and marketing program along with the application of strategies and budgets for the hotel.  

Mr. Rubin Cherian, General Manager of Novotel Hyderabad Airport stated, “Parul has been an integral part of our team and her contribution to the hotel has been outstanding. We are assured of the positive partake she brings to the team and I'm sure her elevation as the Director of Sales and Marketing will further enhance her performance.”

Parul is an alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Lucknow. She has a keen interest in sports and has been a district-level basketball player. She also likes to explore different places.

About NovotelNovotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed as comforting and energizing places where guests can ‘press pause’ and take time to enjoy the moments that really matter. The brand’s wide array of hotels, suites and resorts offer a multitude of services for business and leisure guests alike, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious choices; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for the youngest guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers. Novotel, which has over 530 locations in more than 60 countries is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

IHG Hotels & Resorts marks 6,000 hotels milestone with spectacular openings and partnerships to reward travellers

LONDON (June 2022) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, is celebrating 6,000 open hotels by unveiling the ‘6,000 Club’ and announcing partnerships with major sports and entertainment events.

The 6,000 Club features a collection of stunning newly opened hotels from IHG’s iconic portfolio, showcasing the global reach of its 17 brands and the many ways its hotel teams delight owners and guests by delivering True Hospitality for Good, every day. 

The milestone was commemorated by IHG CEO, Keith Barr, at the New York Stock Exchange on June 7 when he rang the bell to signal the close of trading, alongside local hotel General Managers and colleagues.

In the past five years, IHG has broadened its appeal to owners and guests by acquiring or launching six exciting brands to take the portfolio to 17 - providing more choice and amazing experiences than ever before. The new additions include Luxury & Lifestyle brands Six Senses, Regent and Vignette Collection; Premium brand, voco hotels; Essentials brand, avid hotels; and Suites brand, Atwell Suites.

IHG is set to grow its portfolio by a further 30 percent, with more than 1,800 hotels already signed in its development pipeline, illustrating how much owners value the strength of IHG’s scale and brands. To thank guests, the company recently reinvented its loyalty programme, IHG One Rewards, to offer members more choice, value and richer rewards than ever before - all powered by leading technology on a new mobile app.

The company is also announcing a series of exciting multi-year sports and entertainment partnerships for IHG One Rewards members that will connect travellers at events around the world, including Major League Soccer, European Professional Club Rugby and music festivals across the US and UK. The partnerships will reward loyal members with the chance to create memorable moments from events the world has missed in recent years.

IHG Hotels & Resorts CEO, Keith Barr, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our IHG Hotels & Resorts teams for reaching a milestone of 6,000 hotels open around the world, and would like to thank our owners for their collaboration and our guests for their love and trust in our brands. Every single property we open is a cause for celebration as we offer guests unrivalled experiences in amazing locations and give owners even more reasons to work with us. Our new partnerships will connect more of our IHG One Rewards members with memorable moments, as travel continues to return. With over 1,800 hotels in our pipeline, I’m looking forward to IHG’s next chapter of growth and to celebrating plenty more milestones to come.”

6,000 Club

Hotels in the 6,000 Club will celebrate the occasion in the coming months by surprising select guests with 6,000 IHG One Rewards points. Some of the hotels in the Club are: 

• Six Senses Fort Barwara – a beautiful 14th-century fort in India which was converted to become a sanctuary of well-being after a significant conservation effort 

• Regent Phu Quoc – the first all-suites-and-villas resort under the upper luxury brand in Southeast Asia, located off the southwest coast of Vietnam alongside a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve

• Kimpton Margot Sydney – marking the Australian debut for the brand, this art-deco hotel features a rooftop pool, wine bar, and a 1,725-square-foot “Celebrity Suite”

• voco The Hague – the first for the brand in Netherlands which includes a garden terrace designed by an expert ecologist who created a welcoming space for nature to thrive

• Atwell Suites Denver Airport - Tower Road – the second hotel to open for IHG’s newest all-suites brand, featuring the brand’s signature design and adaptable spaces which support longer stays and allow for easy transition between business and leisure

• Staybridge Suites Al Khobar City – the second for the brand in Saudi Arabia, this all-suites hotel is located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the corporate and shopping hub of vibrant Al Khobar

For the complete list of the 6,000 Club, please click here.

IHG Partnerships 

With a shared belief that experiences bring people together, the new partnerships will connect travelers around the world. Each national partnership will bring people together by creating new ways to redeem IHG One Rewards points and celebrate the universal love of music and sports. Highlights include: 

• The Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Music Midtown, Ohana Festival: While watching live performances, attendees can enjoy exclusive benefits with IHG One Rewards including backstage access and time in VIP Lounges. 

• Major League Soccer: With a multi-year agreement as the official hotel sponsor, IHG Hotels & Resorts and MLS are partnering to create unique, enhanced money-can’t-buy experiences exclusively for IHG One Rewards members and MLS fans across the country. 

• European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR): With the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup 2021/2022 tournaments ending in May, under this three-season agreement IHG and EPCR will welcome fans back at the start of the 2022/2023 season beginning this December. 

To learn more about IHG Hotels & Resorts, visit here. 

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla is hosting a Silk Route Food Festival

A culinary sojourn featuring the Silk Route at Edesia

Embark on a delicious trans-continental voyage as Edesia, multi cuisine restaurant at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla is hosting a Silk Route Food Festival for its patrons. The culinary extravaganza is a part of 12th anniversary celebrations of the hotel and showcases the food stories from the lens of Marco Polo, one of the greatest explorers of his era.  

Map the culinary Route:

Mediterranean and Asian cuisine lovers  are in for a culinary joyride to the countries such as Italy, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Persia, Somalia, India, Indonesia, China & Mangolia  as the festival will house buzzing Shawarma Station,  Carving Caravan, Teppanyaki Junction, The Kebab Road, Wok Station,  Sandwich Point, Pasta Street, Salad Marg, Dimsum Town, Ice Cream Parlour & more.

The festival boasts of 100 + dishes across the cuisines which will be served on cyclic basis to the guests.  Few of the delicacies to be served during the festival would be Mezze Platter, Shawarma, Sushis & Dimsums, Batu Maung Satay, Tandoori Raan, Turkish Kebabs, Vietnamese Sandwiches, Sausage Wraps, Chicken Thupka, Wok Fried Noodles, Homemade Pastas and more. A special LIVE South Indian station will also be set up paying an ode to Marco Polo’s landing on the Coromandel Coast back in 1292 AD.

The culinary sojourn offers the guests interesting dining experiences & setups in the form of:

• Merchant Of Venice: An Italian Household set up with a fireplace depicting the hometown of Marco Polo

• Mediterranean Nights: A cabana style seating with the hues of blue & white; an integral part of Marco Polo’s journey

• The Chinese Checkers: Dedicated to Kublai Khan, the emperor of Mangol empire where Marco Polo served as key official, with  a decor inspiration from the Lantern festival

According to Pradipt Sinha, Director of Food and Beverage, “As a hotel, we are focussing on experience-based food festivals with history entwined with food. Silk Route Food Festival spells the culinary tales from one of the most important trade routes of ancient era coupled with thematic ambience. Guests can choose if they want to take a seating in the European setup, Mediterranean set up or Asian set up which would be fascinating.”

According to Shuvendu Banerjee, General Manager, “We have a host of chefs in our hotel trained across diverse national and international cuisines. Curated festivals such as the Silk Route give them an opportunity to showcase their passion & talent which translates into lifetime experiences for our guests. The modern travellers & food enthusiasts are looking for interactive experiences, tailor-made delicacies, novelty in cuisines and social media worthy presentations and this is exactly how we would like to evolve with our food and beverage.”

Is Ravioli a distant cousin of Dumplings? Or can Spaghetti befriend a Wok instead of drowning in love with Pesto? Decode of the secret connection of the cuisines across the Silk Route in the most delectable ways at Edesia

When: 10th June to 23rd June, 2022 

Buffet Price: INR 2299 + taxes per person (Only for dinners)

Eclat Insights | The Frequency Illusion. Ideas On How To Use This Amazing Psychological Process Proactively

Eclat Insights | The Frequency Illusion. Ideas On How To Use This Amazing Psychological Process Proactively

Frequency Illusion: Once you notice a phenomenon, you believe it happens a whole lot.

The Frequency Illusion is a result of two well-known psychological processes, selective attention (noticing things that are salient to us, disregarding the rest) and confirmation bias (looking for things that support our hypotheses, disregarding potential counterevidence) - Arnold M. Zwicky, Stanford University

The most common example cited for this is when you buy a new car, you start noticing it everywhere. 

Why is it relevant to Leaders & Managers?

• You can use the frequency illusion to your advantage by “priming” your brain to notice the kinds of things that are important to you and that you want to focus on.

Try this simple exercise: think of the colour red & close your eyes for a moment. What other images popped up in your head? Now, look around the room and see how the colour red pops at you.  

Actionable Insights

Prime yourself with keywords. Once those keywords have your psychological attention, you will see them everywhere.

• Pick words that represent your values or that are an important indication of work success for you.

• Make a stack of such keywords or concepts.

• Pick one out of the stack every day and spend some time focusing on the keyword.

Now start your day, you are primed. Once you are primed for a keyword, and it sits on top of your conscious mind, you will see it everywhere.

Let's say your keyword for the day is 'innovation'.

1. Write down as much of the free association that happened in your mind when you looked at the word or thought about it. Do not judge your thoughts. Just take notes.

2. Take a moment to write down what that word means to you, and how important it is for you and your work.

3. Find your team living that value or keyword. When you meet your team or do a property round or shop floor walk, you will start noticing 'innovation' or some form of it anyway. Maybe someone created a new micro process that you did not know about. It would have gone unnoticed, but because you are primed, you will notice it now. Acknowledge it, the moment you recognize it.

4. Use it to 'catch' your people doing the right thing. Appreciate them when you do catch them.

5. Use the keyword in meetings, and in your speech.

6. Use it in your one-on-ones or even in your email communication that day. I love using the email signature feature. Let me know if you need help setting it up. p.bedi@eclathospitality.com

7. Ask questions with the keyword. For example:

• 'What was the last innovation we did?'

• 'What new innovation did you like in another service or product?'

• 'What does or what could innovation look like at your work?'

8. Use the keyword to color or filter your processes or services. Have a list of key processes? Do a quick check against each process for the keyword, in this case, 'innovation'.  

9. Do a google search with the keyword and just spend a few minutes browsing the results, OR use the keyword as a hashtag and check out some social media on it. 

Want to make this WOW? 

Two suggestions, in opposite directions.

1. Have the same keyword for the entire leadership team. You can do this for a day or a week. Having everyone primed and looking at the world through the same lens even for a moment can be a game-changer.

2. Go the other route and let everyone on your leadership team pick their own keyword for the day/week and run this their way. When we did this internally, I was looking at something from a 'cost' perspective, while my colleague was looking at the same idea from a 'revenue' perspective. It was a hilarious discussion. 

I invite you to take 2 mins and do this right now. Action this immediately and you will love it. Just make a list of 5 keywords for yourself. See that red pen in the corner? Yup, that's the one you were primed for. 

Prabhjot

Bedi

is a Hospitality Ideator. A process innovator, trainer, and professional speaker, he has worked with the Taj Group of Hotels, conducted training programs for hospitality leaders, launched a National Council Accredited Hospitality Institute as Principal, successfully launched and sold three hospitality businesses. He now assists hospitality leaders and educators in creating superlative services and products. He also edits the very popular www.hospemag.com - the largest hospitality career e-mag

Appointment | Conrad Pune appoints Deepali Singhal as the Director of Human Resources

Conrad Pune appoints Deepali Singhal as the Director of Human Resources

Pune, 2022: Conrad Pune is pleased to announce the appointment of Deepali Singhal as the Director of Human Resources. In her role, she will be spearheading the HR department and will be responsible for key operations like employee development, consulting management on strategic staffing plans, and implementing new HR policies.

With her enriching experience of over 15 years, Deepali comes with a deep understanding of this department and will be eminent in overseeing the entire HR and training functions. Touted as a creative thinker with grooming and strong communication skills, she aims to work toward the best interest of the hotel.

On Deepali’s appointment, Rahul Bhagat, Director of Operations expresses, “We are delighted to have Deepali as the new Director of Human Resource. She is a positive personality and will bring forth her gamut of experience in the HR sector that will work towards enforcing company policies and best practices for the hotel”.

Having spent over a decade in Pune, she has a thorough understanding of the culture and predilection of the people. This will reflect in her role and she will be able to become the guiding light for the strategies that need to be planned for the right execution of the employee-centric policies and overall development of Conrad Pune.

Appointment | Karthikeyan K. joins Hilton Goa Resort as the Executive Chef

Karthikeyan K. joins Hilton Goa Resort as the Executive Chef

Goa With a rich expertise of 15 years in the culinary industry

Karthikeyan K. joins Hilton Goa Resort as the Executive Chef. Karthikeyan would be spearheading the Kitchen team while identifying new and innovative culinary techniques to provide the guests with exemplary services.

Karthikeyan K. possesses strong knowledge of local, national, and international food preferences taking the property’s outlets to the next level. Over the years, Karthikeyan K. has worked with Renaissance, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, The Westin, Radisson Blu, Accord Metropolitan Hotel, and more.

On Karthikeyan’s appointment, Amandeep Singh Grover, General Manager, Hilton Goa Resort expresses, “We are pleased to appoint Karthikeyan as the Chef as his expertise in the gourmet industry will bring forth the best in him that will facilitate the property to stay current on the latest restaurant industry trends.”

With his passion for a wide array of cuisines, Karthikeyan would be responsible for developing innovative menus ensuring cleanliness in accordance with the company standards and health code regulations while hiring, training, and supervising kitchen personnel.

HILTON BANGALORE EMBASSY GOLFLINKS SPREADS THE MESSAGE OF ONLY ONE EARTH, THIS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

HILTON BANGALORE EMBASSY GOLFLINKS SPREADS THE MESSAGE OF ONLY ONE EARTH, THIS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

~ GREEN INITIATIVES TAKE PRIORITY IN THE HOTEL OPERATIONS ~

June 2022:  With an aim to celebrate, protect and restore our planet, Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks conducted a host of transformative and sustainable activities in the hotel with the team members and guests, to spread the message of this year’s World Environment Day theme of Only One Earth.

Designed to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of the only planet we have, several initiatives were planned over the course of one week to offer insights into sustainability issues and the hotel’s environmental policy including-

·        The hotel personnel carried out a cleanliness drive near the hotel. They collected close to 300kgs of trash and other waste materials that were strewn across the road.

·        Introduced a water bottling plant within the premises to serve purified water to guests in rooms and restaurants. The plant works on the principle, that an automated in-house system washes, sterilizes and fills glass bottles, thereby not only cutting down on plastic waste but also eliminating carbon emissions involved in transporting the bottles to the hotel from a plant.

·        In-house guests were given seed balls in a water-soluble pouch as a token of the hotel’s commitment to supporting sustainable practices.

·        Organized a poster-making and slogan writing competition for employee kids along with the children of Parikrama- a Bangalore-based NGO to highlight the key messaging of #OnlyOneEarth. These posters were later displayed in guest areas to promote the occasion.

·        Highlighted the use of Organic Waste Composter by recycling all the wet waste generated at the hotel and transforming it into organic manure for our own landscape.

·        Constantly encourage guests to commute to work within the tech park in the electric golf carts. This enables us to save an enormous amount of fuel combustion.

Tejus Jose, General Manager expressed his views on the occasion, "In line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose initiative, Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks under the ownership of Embassy Group, continues to drive responsible tourism at every step. From eliminating several single-use plastics, introducing water conservation strategies to reducing carbon footprint, we remain committed to sustainable business practices.”

 He further added, “We will continue to invest in activities and drive initiatives at the hotel to encourage healthy tourism and eco balance. Our planet is everyone’s responsibility and we must all make a collective effort to protect it.”

ROLE OF CONNECTIVITY & NETWORKING IN HOSPITALITY By Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

ROLE OF CONNECTIVITY & NETWORKING IN HOSPITALITY

The words Connectivity and Networking has a wider perspective than we usually refer it to in our daily life and its implications and adaptations too have a much wider role to play in our profession and beyond. Being on social media has become as necessary as having a good cell phone or being in line with the trends to maintain our status on the whole among friends and associates. If we come across someone in today’s times who says he/she doesn’t have an email id or a profile on a said platform leads to eyebrows on a raise, giving a doubt about the person if he/she is really living in this era or it simply sounds as outdated or an app which needs an update. 

While most of us maintain our presence through various applications on our smart phones to be visible, some like to do it to associate further, some have business angles attached to being present online while there a few who are just there and in the dormant profile category. In my opinion, one needs to firstly understand the need of being there, doing that and to have a clear vision towards how it can help one through the activity. To some it is just a medium to satisfy their anxiety pangs and reaching out to sort their curiosity syndromes as well, no wonder we see that many profile holders have started locking their social media profiles on a few platforms. 

It sounds hilarious to me when I come across a locked profile, gives an impression that the person has locked in loads of valuables, while someone might steal away by peeping in and visiting maybe. An open minded approach is the first thing we should apply and imply when we wish to be present on a wider platform, connecting with people cannot happen with locked approach methodology! The lockdown as it was for all of us in the past year and a half back led to a lot of need and want based connect up strategies by number of people especially aspiring to be hoteliers/chefs/ managers to the already existing ones all through the hierarchies and departments from the world across who started spending time enlivening their social media accounts and profiles to network and find answers to a number of questions which even google could not answer and the search engines too just stopped working on as well.

My ideology of connectivity and networking approach has always been towards visibility with a vision, presence with a passion, impacting the audience with initiation and interest, having a flair towards sharing knowledge, holding up a conversation and maybe looking at possible associations and engagements on a professional front too if things work. While over 60 percent of people I have come across on various networking sites are so weak that they don’t even know how to respond to a hi or a hello message upon connecting. Sounds strange yes, I know but that is the fact, while the other 40 percent of the audience I have come across is so need based in conversations that their very first message starts with need a job- this is my profile/ resume, let me know if you have anything at the earliest… hilarious & strange, typical motive based connectivity which at times we don’t even feel like responding too since it doesn’t give a good first impression. 

A few pointers which I wanted to share for all those who are looking at increasing and elevating their followers count at times even in competition with others just to add for the heck of it should think about the following:

• Connect with a reason: if you wish to make a connection with a professional profile, you should be well aware of why you intend to do so, and what is it that can benefit you to an extent, be it counseling, mentoring, assistance on career guidance, etc. One more point I usually like to make when I speak on this is that we need to be able to look at and learn from these profiles, read about their struggles, and success stories, and check out on search engines what all they had to go through in order to connect with them with a purpose and reason which can motivate one to do better in their professional life.

• Network to maintain: my very own experiences is what I usually share in my articles and one such point is this one, a person or a candidate I knew like ten or twelve years back messages all of a sudden in today’s times asking for favors, references, and recommendations, testimonials and more! A little thought process of even maintaining a connection by occasional wishing/ festive greetings/ new year or birthday wishes can also help keep you in better books of image.

• Communicate with Clarity: referring to our hospitality industry, we are the ones who connect, who are people friendly and customer or guest-oriented in a number of ways, we don’t act out of attitude with ego and we do not like to extend negative vibes and unwanted crap in communication patterns. While we do come across people on social media who at times do not maintain the decorum of communication design, weird typo- ethical errors/ unclear mode of communication, etc. which needs to be handled with care and precision.

• An Attitude of Gratitude: connecting with professional profiles and to be able to get some benefits from the same is a way of life for a number of people who like to network, though there is nothing wrong in it, one should be there to assist, help, refer and suggest appropriate solutions etc to our valued industry connects and aspirants, but as a piece of advice it is recommended to at least maintain an attitude of gratitude, at times it so happens that you refer candidates to a place/ hotel or so and once he/she gets through, you become a dormant unwanted entity. A little sense of saying a basic thank you or acknowledging someone’s efforts should be considered.

• Enliven and Encourage: A big number of student community has been in touch with me over the years and especially during the lockdown it somehow just increased by over 30 percent of what it was, reason being that the aspiring to be future chefs, hoteliers, airline professionals and more had a lot of queries, doubts and needed certain answers to their much reasonable enough why’s ? what’s and how’s ? I came across loads of messages on my own handles saying that the so called professional names, big time image holders, popularity chart busters, lakhs of likes tag holders and beyond are so very busy that they do not even accept, respond, reciprocate and bother to even look at the connects which wanted to do so for a specific guidance aspect looking at them as so called role models and examples. It sounded a little usual to me upon hearing and reading all this coming from young students and professionals but somehow my approach was slightly different, I rather managed to be receptive and replied upon all of them who wanted to do so and were expecting with a ray of hope! To my surprise I was shocked to see a reply which came by from a young aspirant, “it’s nice to see one reply out of a hundred who cares to be realistic and responds to us”- and when we started interacting the entire story of experience what they go through unfolded. 

• Being a good listener rather than like seeker: I also came across feedback from some saying that when we reach out to professionals for advice or so, the first thing they say is that how many likes and followers will you get me in return or what’s my benefit in talking to you? No one helped me during my time of struggle, why do you expect help from me? why should I be in your story of struggle etc? let us somewhere understand that just because I / Me or You had to go through some difficult times during our times doesn’t mean that the current generations too should go through the same, can’t we be a little more matured enough to assist, stand by, encourage and be of help to the ones who are really asking for help on a genuine basis? A little understanding and assisting can take us all a long way!

• The Karmic fare has a universal approach: one thing we should try to relate to is that today someone might be in a good position, post, hierarchy, salary bracket, best of the best etc but somewhere we have all started from a much lower stage in life and have come up with our hard work, commitment, dedication and stability on the whole during our professional journeys. Let us not indulge into biases and partiality approach when we deal with people especially when it comes to connectivity and networking on social media etc. there are even job offering profiles and job seeking profiles who connect and while some get across to their next destinations, some are left behind, some keep trying and some by the time give up. Good deeds never go waste and good help and offerings are always adding into our asset columns in the balance sheet of our lives, let us all try to be more sensible enough to come forward at the right and opportune time to be there to stand with our industry, community and academia as well bridging the gap between demand and supply, quality and quantity etc. let us all strive together to make this a wonderful and much recommended industry to work in and not just have people come in touch base and fly away into other sectors just because somewhere the connectivity fell weak and the net worth was not met up with due to the network.

URBAN RESORT MAMAKA BY OVOLO GOES FULL THROTTLE WITH GOOD VIBRATIONS

URBAN RESORT MAMAKA BY OVOLO GOES FULL THROTTLE WITH GOOD VIBRATIONS

- Get ready to experience something new and fresh in the iconic Kuta – Legian area -

About MAMAKA by Ovolo

Good Soul. Good Times. Good Vibrations are at Kuta Beach.

MAMAKA by Ovolo is a beach-front urban resort for modern travellers, foodies and social-surfers alike, perfectly positioned in the thriving neighbourhood of Kuta Legian. With a refreshing take on design and experience, it’s an escape embodying Ovolo’s mantra of staying connected with our guests.

Explore the vibrant bazaars, world-class shopping malls, galleries, quaint indie cafes and laneways offering the unexpected - it’s the ultimate place for stepping out and living the Bali life. Chill out or max out from morning until night at the many all-day dining and drinking options offering dynamic culinary experiences, buzzing bars and amazing views of Bali’s beaches and beyond.

Just like Bali, MAMAKA offers the unexpected. Get to know the Kuta break with Quicksilver Surf Academy, hit the wellness center to keep fit or strengthen you core on a mechanical surfboard. Top it off any time of the day with all the flavours of Asia at Street 32, Kuta Beach’s modern Pan-Asian cocktail bar and eatery serving Asian street food classics.

Return to the 191 playfully and effortlessly designed rooms with interiors subtly reflecting Bali’s cultural heartbeat and relationship with nature. MAMAKA by Ovolo is the answer Kuta Legian has been waiting for: it will enrich your own Bali journey with good vibrations.

The hotel consists of 74 Bali High rooms, 74 Kokomo rooms, 28 Summer Garden Terrace rooms, 12 Swagger Suites rooms and 3 Top Gun Suites. Room sizes range from the Bali High and Kokomo at 25 sqm, whilst the Summer Garden Terrace, the same size has the addition of a private terrace overlooking the gardens. The Swagger Suites are a spacious 50 sqm, while the expansive 2-bedroom Top Gun suites are 91 sqm with all suites boasting views of iconic Kuta beach.

Mamaka by Ovolo – Design + Sustainability

Design:

Mamaka by Ovolo’s design language responds to the dichotomy of both the global brand ethos of Ovolo – vibrant, dynamic spaces drawing in global nomads – and alongside, subtly injecting the ancient Bali cultural heartbeat into the overall aesthetic.

Hand-in-hand, these two threads came together to create spaces that convey colour, vibrancy, self-expression, and the diversity of what is available at the property, both materially as well as visually, subtly influencing the spatial emotion of each space.

In order to present a fresh concept to the Kuta area, design firm Ara Design played a lot with geometric shapes, retro elements, and bold colours, especially the blue of the ocean that runs as a common thread throughout the hotel, as well as natural materials and textures such as wood, rattan, shells and weaves.

ara design International have completed projects globally for both private owners and top brand world operators alike. The founding partners, Andre Avedian and Harry Gregory, have nearly 60 years of hospitality design experience between them, and established the company in 1996. Together, they have amassed a powerful list of clients since the company’s inception.

Sustainability:

MAMAKA by Ovolo – Bali's first urban resort – has been recognised with a Carbon Neutral Certificate from Interface by using their Carbon Neutral Floors program to ensure that there is less carbon in our atmosphere to protect our planet. According to Interface, by using their product more efficiently, it will reduce the carbon footprint of its carpet tiles by 74 per cent.

The property has also been taking on the responsibility to help preserve the environment with initiatives such as single-use plastic-free, recycled drinking water from a bottling plant, eco-friendly pest control measures and a strong food waste management program.

About Ovolo Group

The Ovolo Group was founded by entrepreneur Girish Jhunjhnuwala and first entered the real estate market in 2002; then further expanded into the hotel industry in 2010. Ovolo Hotels quickly became one of Hong Kong and Australia’s most dynamic independent owner operated hospitality firms by providing guests with the best in effortless living across hotels and food and beverage outlets.

The Ovolo Group is a collection of contemporary hotels that keep you connected to the little luxuries you love, all effortlessly included. The company prides itself on being in touch with the modern traveller through award-winning interior designs, detail-driven comforts, complementary value added services like the mini bar and breakfast, with cutting-edge technology. Ovolo Hotels have been acknowledged for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, receiving the accolade “Hotel Brand of the Year'', at the 2019 and 2020 HM Awards.

A proud Hong Kong brand, Ovolo Group remains a family-owned and privately-operated business operating four hotels and three restaurants in Hong Kong, and seven hotels and five restaurants across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. A new hotel is being developed in Melbourne, Australia, Ovolo South Yarra.

Ovolo also has the By Ovolo Collective within its portfolio of hotels, a distinctive collection of four hotels each one unique, each one special, the more guests explore, the more they’ll find. These include Nishi Apartments in Canberra Australia, The Sheung Wan by Ovolo in Hong Kong, and Mamaka Kuta Beach in Bali Indonesia.

Appointment | Saptarshi Biswas appointed as the Hotel Manager for The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi

Saptarshi Biswas appointed as the Hotel Manager for  The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi 

The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi has appointed Saptarshi Biswas as the Hotel Manager for the bustling 313-key five-star business hotel with seven vibrant food and beverage outlets and sprawling event spaces, located in the heart of the millennium city. He will play a key role in overlooking the operations of the iconic hotel across all functions and ensuring the highest levels of guest satisfaction.

With an illustrious career trajectory spanning 17 years of cross-cultural experience in the hospitality industry, Saptarshi brings with him his sharp business acumen, people-oriented management style, intuitive leadership, and attention to detail.  He has been associated with Marriott International for over 8 years now, having worked with hotels such as JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, The Westin Chennai Velachery, and The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. Prior to his current role, he was the Hotel Manager for Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad Sindhu Bhawan Road, where he successfully launched the hotel and helmed the entire operations while managing the forecasting, budgeting, sales & marketing initiatives along with optimization of resources. 

Saptarshi holds a Bachelor in Hotel Management from the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Kolkata and is an avid believer of teamwork. A result-driven individual, he follows a pragmatic approach to problem resolution and pays attention to detail; attributing success not just to hard work but also to meaningful collaborations with team members and peers. In his new role, he looks forward to adding value to all operational departments to drive the hotel’s continuing success and reputation to the next level, with an endeavor to continue aligning the team towards operational excellence and elevated guest experiences, while identifying new revenue streams for the hotel.

Speaking on the new appointment Rahul Puri, Multi Property General Manager for The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi and The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa, said, “It is our pleasure to welcome Saptarshi to the team as our Hotel Manager. I am confident that his expertise will further enhance our offerings, working towards creating unparalleled experiences for our discerning guests and contribute to the overall growth of the hotel.”

A sports fanatic at heart, Saptarshi enjoys spending time with his family; cricket and badminton topping the list of his favorites and he enjoys catching these games on or off the field at leisure.

Guest Room PPM CheckList by Engg NEERAJ MONGA

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Appointment | Vietnamese Hotel Appoints Sustainability Officer to Lessen Carbon Footprint

Vu Ngoc Linh has been named Alma Resort’s first sustainability officer

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Vietnamese Hotel Appoints Sustainability Officer to Lessen Carbon Footprint

CAM RANH, Vietnam ( 2022) – Vu Ngoc Linh, a hospitality professional with more than a decade’s experience in food and beverage departments, has stepped off the career ladder of the typical F&B professional to pursue an entirely new kind of fulfillment.

This month, the 580-room Alma Resort on Vietnam’s south central coast named Linh as its first sustainability officer. It’ll be Linh’s job to track the property’s energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education efforts and building design.

The role also involves creating sustainability programs, budgets and schedules, evaluating the success of sustainability initiatives, and managing three staff committees focused on ‘green products’, ‘innovation and solutions’ and ‘people and partnerships’. 

The stakes are high. The thirty-hectare resort requires 46,720 kWH of power and 900 m3 of water per day.

“We’d like to think we can continue to make meaningful reductions in that consumption,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “Dedicating one person to this task is key to making that happen.”

One of Linh’s new projects, under the umbrella of the Innovation and Solutions Committee, is implementation of what Alma believes is Vietnam’s most ambitious hotel solar power project yet. Alma will this year install 5,634 solar panels totalling 12,500 square metres. With a capacity of 2,480 kilowatts peak, the solar power system will fuel between a quarter to almost half of Alma’s energy needs depending on occupancy. 

In addition to the resort’s 325sqm water treatment plant deploying a reverse osmosis system to provide 70,000L weekly of drinkable water and ice for all of the resort’s kitchens, Linh will also help determine other ways to offset the resort’s water usage.

Linh started his hospitality career in 2011 as a waiter at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, before he became a restaurant supervisor at Dessole Beach Resort Nha Trang, a team leader at Vinpearl Land Amusement Park and an assistant outlet manager at Golden Peak Resort & Spa and Duyen Ha Resort. Linh then became a food and beverage manager at Xavia Hotel and Florida Nha Trang Hotel, and the assistant restaurant manager at Eastin Grand Hotel Nha Trang. 

Laubichler-Pichler said Linh’s background in F&B – a field notorious for waste generation – had motivated him to move into a sustainability role.

“Linh has a genuine drive to make a difference and he is well suited to a role at our resort dedicated purely to sustainability, encompassing the likes of garbage segregation, tree planting, paperless check-in, solar power, community initiatives to generate support for green projects, research and more,” said Laubichler-Pichler. 

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com or email info@alma-resort.com

About Alma

Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam's maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, art gallery, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an 'Alma Mart' mini supermarket.

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Goes Underground With New Bar

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Goes Underground With New Bar

Metropole Underground opens as the city’s first subterranean venue

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (June 2022) — Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh has applied a new facet to the destination’s vibrant bar scene with Metropole Underground: the first subterranean bar in Cambodia’s capital.

Inspired by the louche, chic vibe of early 20th Century Paris, Metropole Underground is a unique addition to the famously lively bar scene in Phnom Penh.

Discreetly located in the basement of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the city’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the sophisticated space offers premium drinks, light gourmet bites, and nightly live entertainment spanning bands and DJ beats.

The bar, which like the rest of the hotel, is designed by award-wining Singapore-based SCDA Architects with interiors by leading Thai firm PIA Interior, is inspired by the glory days of Parisian art-deco.

The metro system in the French capital was a major inspiration for the bar, with replicas of cast iron detailing from the original Paris Metro integrated into the space and transformed into sculptural and decorative elements. 

The result is a compelling blend of European and Khmer influences.

“Phnom Penh is widely known for the vibrancy of its bar scene. Therefore we are proud that we can add something new to the mix with Metropole Underground,” said Herman Kemp, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. “The design team has done a marvelous job and we’ve got a great roster of live entertainment for guests to enjoy. When you step down into the basement it’s really like entering a different world.”

The new Metropole Underground completes a compelling lineup of options for revelry at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh.

Indeed, with its range of bars encompassing everything from an intimate speakeasy-style cocktail spot to one of the city’s most exciting rooftop venues, the property is one of the best places in Phnom Penh to let down your hair.  

As conceptually intriguing as Metropole Underground is The Attic, an old-world speakeasy-style bar tucked away in the eaves of the Colonial House — a lemon-colored royal villa dating back to 1900 that is a centerpiece of the property. The bar specializes in handcrafted cocktails and grand cru wines.

Another social hotspot is FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, spanning the rooftop on level 14. From here, guests will be treated to grilled seafood and meats, refreshing cocktails, and energizing DJ performances whilst soaking up inspiring views of the Royal Palace, the Mekong River, and the city skyline.

“We are adding different things to the table in terms of nightlife,” added Kemp. “As the city’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, is ready to play its part in a post-pandemic renaissance.”

One Rep Global appointed India representative for The Legian Hotels in Indonesia

One Rep Global appointed India representative for The Legian Hotels in Indonesia 

Gurgaon (India), June 2022: One Rep Global, a luxury representation company led by seasoned hotelier Hemant Mediratta, has been appointed the India representative for The Legian Hotels in Bali – Indonesia.

The Legian Seminyak, Bali is one of the most renowned hotels in Indonesia. Opened in 1996 it has stood the test of time and is still the favourite choice for luxury travellers in Bali. Thanks to its unparalleled location on one of the island’s finest beaches, exceptional elevated positioning, 67 spectacular sea-facing suites and the three-bedroom The Beach House (the only private villa with direct beach access in Seminyak), this exclusive grande dame hotel, alongside its sister property The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali continues to attract the great and the good from around the world.

Managing Director and Partner, Hans Joerg Meier, Legian Hotel Management said ‘LHM is very proud to enter into cooperation with One Rep Global with its very experienced visionary leadership team within the industry. We are convinced that discerning luxury travellers from India will truly enjoy the culture and heritage of LHM hotels in Bali and Lombok, coupled with genuinely personalised and warm hospitality creating authentic experiences and memories to treasure.’

Hemant Mediratta, Founder – One Rep Global, shared ‘We take pride in representing some of the finest properties from across the globe, and it is an absolute pleasure to add The Legian Seminyak and soon-to-open The Legian Lombok to our portfolio. With eased restrictions, luxury outbound travel from India is picking pace and it is the perfect time to tap the undisputed potential of this market. At One Rep Global, we are excited to extend support and share our expertise to drive the desired sales and marketing results for LHM hotels.’

The Legian Seminyak, Bali is a suite and villa only boutique resort and home to some of the most sought after accommodation on the island. Every suite has unparalleled, sea-facing views and guests can choose from a variety of options – whether it’s a beachfront sanctuary for two or a multi-bedroom suite for groups of friends or families. There is also The Beach House – a three-bedroom villa with pool and one of only two villas in Bali with direct beach access. The Beach House can accommodate spectacular weddings and special events.

Those looking for the ultimate in exclusivity can opt to stay in super-chic The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali. Located adjacent to The Legian Seminyak, Bali’s main entrance, this private estate houses a 30-metre pool, private outdoor seating area and 13 private pool villas. It offers guests a range of benefits including a dedicated butler, private car service, laundry, daily afternoon tea, cocktails and canapés as well as complimentary in-room private bar.

One Rep Global will exclusively drive the sales and marketing efforts for these luxury properties in India.

Nobel’s brilliant minds to meet at Maraya AlUla

Nobel’s brilliant minds to meet at Maraya AlUla

Maraya, the architectural wonder of Arabia is the region’s exciting new events and conference venue in the heart of AlUla, the ancient desert city at the crossroads of civilizations

With millennia of history and cultural heritage plus newly-built accommodation, dining, nature, and adventure - AlUla will be the sought-after new destination for business events in the coming years.

AlUla, Saudi Arabia - Maraya, the multi-purpose event and conference centre located in AlUla, an ancient historical city in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, welcomed the largest gathering of world’s most creative minds at the 2nd Hegra Conference of Nobel Laureates & Friends from 3rd to 5th June 2022.

The event will bring together 13 Nobel laureates, including Lech Walesa, along with winners of the King Faisal, UNESCO for Women in Science, and Pulitzer prizes. The theme of the event is ‘New Openings: Decisive Moments for a Decisive Decade’ with a key outcome of the event a selection of 10 decisive actions to be taken over the next decade for humanity to thrive in the 21st century.

Maraya, which is translated in Arabic into “mirrors”, reflects the beauty of the stunning rock-strewn Ashar Valley, a landscape home to ancient kingdoms reaching back 7000 years. 

Designed by Italian Architects Gioforma, this architectural wonder was named the Guinness World Record’s largest mirrored building in 2020. 

A place of culture, commerce and function, Maraya, managed and operated by entertainment company Live Nation, has hosted international music events for world-renowned artists including Lionel Richie and Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli; contemporary art exhibitions and business events such as the GCC Summit of 2021 and the 1st Hegra Conference of Nobel Laureates & Friends in 2020. 

Maraya offers a 26-meter-high theatre with a capacity of 582 seats which face a giant retractable window of 800 square meters that can open to nature, seamlessly blending environment and entertainment.

In addition to the auditorium, Maraya consists of a ground and three upper floors, with flexible spaces and facilities. The ground floor offers two huge halls with a capacity of 500 and 600 persons respectively, with another hall that can host up to 200 persons. There are green rooms and a VVIP room with a capacity of 100 persons.

The 1st floor provides VVIP guests facilities with spaces from 75 to 100 persons and a VVIP Royal Suite with a capacity of 12 persons. While the 2nd floor offers the conferences facilities and spaces, starting from 50 and up to 300 persons, with a speaker room and a production space available.

The 3rd floor offers a luxury restaurant facility with an indoor capacity of 120 persons, an outdoor restaurant with a capacity of 80 persons, and a rooftop terrace with a space of 1005 SQM. The restaurant, Maraya Social, opened in October 2021 under the management of English Chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton. Atherton owns and runs three-Michelin-star restaurants across the world. The menu at Maraya Social is a mix of local pan Arabic dishes and European options. 

The historic city of AlUla has been at the crossroad of civilizations for millennia, and is now being revived as an important destination for trade, and the exchange of cultures and ideas. AlUla’s heritage and formidable scenery, lend themselves to great minds deliberating in a destination that fosters meaningful exchange and innovation. 

From Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, to the AlUla Old Town, and the ancient sites of Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, AlUla offers a new destination steeped in ancient history for the meeting of minds.

As a brand-new destination for the global business events industry, AlUla offers an exciting and incredible new option for meeting planners with a range of authentic experiences for pre and post events. The city is well known for its rich stories, welcoming locals, stunning landscapes and a mix of outdoor and indoor spaces and places, which will inspire and engage business event visitors.

The city is home to a variety of restaurants from traditional and international cuisines available all year round, with vegetarian and vegan options on demand. 

For accommodation, AlUla is home to mesmerizing resorts that are set against the backdrop of the desert canyons and valleys. Habitas Resort is a sustainable home far from home in the Ashar Valley, the closest resort to Maraya. The Habitas ethos is to provide an immersive experience where nature inspires creative expression, human connection and the pursuit of adventure. Caravan by Habitas also offers unique accommodation in airstream RVs for those who like to be at one with nature. Habitas offers event setup at the Caravans by Habitas location, a glamping site surrounded by sandstone cliffs in the open air, which can be tailored to fit events.

While at Shaden Resort, which has recently been placed under the management of Accor, guests can choose from a variety of room types including 2 bedroomed villas with private pool. Spaces that can be offered for business events include a meeting room that fits up to 120 people, to PVC tents that can be temporarily built on different areas within the resort. Business luncheon and gala dinners can be hosted as well at Shaden’s Abdadyiah Restaurant. The resort, set in a desert canyon near elephant rock never fails to surprise and delight. 

More hotels are set to open in the coming months and years including the Banyan Tree AlUla Resort – a 5 star luxury property set into the environment in the Ashar Valley and opening in October 2022.

AlUla international airport receives weekly flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam with a short travel time less than 2 hours. While the direct 2 weekly flights from Dubai makes AlUla an easy place to reach. Currently work is in progress to add more flight routes to the options to reach AlUla from major international airports, making AlUla more reachable and easier to access destination. 

AlUla offers a fascinating gateway to the rich culture of the Arabian Peninsula and will be a sought-after destination for leisure and business travel in the years to come. 

Tata Starbucks introduces a Vegan Food Menu in India in association with Imagine Meats

Tata Starbucks introduces a Vegan Food Menu in India in association with Imagine Meats

Hyderabad: June 2022: Today, Tata Starbucks announces the introduction of an all-new vegan product lineup in India. Starting this month, Starbucks is adding three food products: Vegan Sausage Croissant Roll, Vegan Hummus Kebab Wrap, and Vegan Croissant Bun. This lineup is developed in partnership with Imagine Meats, a local plant-based food venture by Celebrity Couple & Entrepreneurs Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh.

The newly-launched vegan food menu provides more vegan options for customers, in addition to Starbucks’ existing beverage customization options with plant-based dairy alternatives such as almond, oat and soy.

As customer interest in vegan choices increase, Starbucks remains committed to introducing newer offerings in locally relevant ways. For Starbucks, expanding vegan menus globally is one of the ways the company is pursuing its goal to reduce its carbon footprint by 50%.

Speaking about the launch, Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks Pvt Ltd said, “Customers in India are increasingly looking to explore more vegan food options. Since Starbucks arrived in the India market, we have always aimed to provide locally-relevant choices for vegetarian customers, and this new collaboration with one of India’s home-grown ventures, Imagine Meats, is yet another way to offer our customers more ways to customize their Starbucks Experience with delightful new offerings.”

Commenting on the partnership with Starbucks, Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, Founders of Imagine Meats said, “Imagine Meats is our heartfelt endeavor towards nurturing a caring attitude regarding the planet while nurturing conscious and sustainable high protein food choices. We are thrilled to be joining hands with Starbucks who supports our vision and to introduce a new vegan food menu in India that offers consumers a simple guilt-free switch to plant-based meat. This unique partnership helps accelerate our efforts towards bridging the gap for non-vegetarians and vegetarians alike, who are actively trying to make a conscious shift towards adopting a sustainable food lifestyle.”

The new vegan product lineup is available in select stores in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Goa, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Pune.

As per a September 2021 study by a retail broking company in India*, the plant-based meat market in India is estimated at $30-40 million. The new menu joins a growing list of vegan menu options available to the brand’s customers around the world. *Source: Nirmal Bang- Forbes

Re-Opening | Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor Reopens to the World

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor Reopens to the World

The iconic hotel has returned with its refreshed new look, offering guests a compelling mix of culture, heritage and charming hospitality.

Guests are welcomed by a doorman at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor's gravel driveway.

SIEM REAP, Cambodia – Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, one of the most iconic heritage properties in Southeast Asia, reopens its doors to guests on 1st June 2022 for the first time in almost three years.

First opened in 1932 and widely celebrated as La Grande Dame de Angkor, the hotel has been welcoming discerning travelers and famous faces – from Charlie Chaplin to Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama - to the historic heart of Cambodia for almost ninety years.

The hotel underwent a delicate transformation in 2019 with rooms and suites receiving a meticulous facelift before the global pause in travel. The guestrooms feature lighter and brighter interiors as well as the addition of Segafredo coffee machines, USB charging stations and Simmons pillow-top mattresses. The French windows, which swing open to views of street scenes or the plantation-style grounds of the hotel, have been upgraded, and each room now has a writing desk and vintage rotary telephone, thanks in part to the added floor space created by removing cabinets and replacing them with built-in wardrobes. All bathrooms have also been upgraded with new Italian tiling and rain showers. The traditional ceiling fans remain, as well as the beautiful views of the Royal Gardens or the resort’s iconic swimming pool.

It is a magnificent feeling to bring this enchanting hotel back to life,” said General Manager Dennis de Groot. “The Grand Hotel is a national treasure, and its storied history is testament to Cambodia’s colourful past. It was originally built as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers seeking to explore the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat. As we prepare to celebrate the hotel’s 90th anniversary this year, we are delighted that this hotel can continue to set the standard for luxury hospitality, where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family”.

Returning guests will notice that the famous façade and entire exterior of the hotel now shines white, rather than its former cream-beige hue which was the colour of French colonial architecture across Indochina.

Named after the year that Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor first opened, 1932 is the hotel’s latest signature restaurant, proudly inheriting the honour to serve traditional Royal Khmer cuisine for a unique dining experience.

Another fresh addition to the hotel is the Raffles Marquee, an elegant events centre situated within 15-acres of lush French gardens that plays host to everything from Khmer performances and fashion shows to wedding receptions and business conferences. This fully air-conditioned marquee offers a truly unique setting for sophisticated events in the enchanting town of Siem Reap.

The newly renovated Landmark Room still features vintage touches such as a rotary telephone.

Traditionalists can rest assured that the hotel’s original teak and wrought iron cage elevator remains, as does the vintage ambiance of the Elephant Bar and the checker-tiled lobby, which over the decades has witnessed a guest list of royalty, film stars, writers, and artists.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has situated a mere 20-minute drive from the doorway of the UNESCO Heritage temples of Angkor. To allow guests to explore more of the fascinating destination, the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor offers an enticing series of Raffles Curated Journeys and Resort Programs designed to infuse local experiences with worldly elegance. Guests can explore the ancient Angkor Archaeological Park on an iconic Vespa, before being one of the first travelers of the day to enter the temple. Embark on a local tuk-tuk tour for a journey through the Silk Road of Angkor, visiting the beautiful Banteay Srei Temple and Golden Silk Farm. Food aficionados can taste Siem Reap on an exclusive Culinary Hidden Gems, while shopaholics saunter Siem Reap’s Kandal Village neighborhood with the assistance of a Raffles Butler, and culture lovers can enjoy a majestic performance of Cambodian dances in the Apsara Terrace.

 Within the resort grounds, guests can take part in on-site activities including monk blessings, Angkor Sling masterclasses, botanical and culinary garden tours, and a tour with the hotel’s resident historian.

Designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard in a style that combines Khmer art and furnishings with Art Deco influences, the Grand Hotel first opened in 1932 with just 63 rooms, all with private bathrooms - a revelation in its day. The property, along with its sister heritage hotel, Le Royal, in Phnom Penh, was taken over by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International in 1997 at the invitation of Cambodia’s King Sihanouk.

The move to reopen on 1st June comes at a time when Cambodia has removed all major travel restrictions. The country was widely praised for its handling of the pandemic and its effective vaccine program.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was recognized this year by US magazine Travel + Leisure as among the top 500 hotels in the world.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and its sister Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom are part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 5,300 hotels and residences across 110 countries. For reservations or inquiries to Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, call +855 23 982 598 or email bookus.siemreap@raffles.com. Rooms at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor start at $350+++ per night.

Mouni Roy takes a step towards sustainable travel, chooses an eco-friendly accommodation to explore the historic city of Istanbul

Mouni Roy takes a step toward sustainable travel, and chooses an eco-friendly accommodation to explore the historic city of Istanbul with the love of her life, Suraj Nambiar

The Brahmāstra actress seen exploring the streets of Istanbul, takes to Instagram to share videos of her holiday with husband and friends!

India, June 2022: Indian television turned Bollywood actress Mouni Roy recently took her most-awaited summer vacation to Istanbul with her husband, Suraj Nambiar and her close friends. The actress took to Instagram to share glimpses of her summer vacation where she is seen exploring the beautiful streets of Istanbul, in her summer florals, looking very much in love with her better half. A mindful and responsible traveler that she is, Mouni selected a sustainable accommodation, making a considerate choice through Booking.com, the leading travel brand that offers a unique filter that lets one select accommodation that is sustainable.

Talking about her love for travel, Mouni said, “Finally got the much-needed break and Booking.com made it happen. Here I am in the beautiful city of Istanbul with my love, Suraj. Both Suraj and I have a knack for historical places and while we have traveled a lot together, this is our first time together in Istanbul! I booked my holiday on Booking.com which made the entire booking experience so easy and seamless and helped us find a sustainable property using the Travel Sustainable filter. Can't wait to explore Istanbul and show you how mesmerizing this city is!”

Mouni posted a video on Instagram where she can be seen day-dreaming of a vacation and then fulfills the same by booking her stay on Booking.com. Mouni is seen cherishing the experiences in Istanbul as she walks hand-in-hand with Suraj, exploring the local monuments, sipping on some refreshing Turkish tea, commuting by local cabs and enjoying a romantic dinner with her ‘forever’.

New Launch | Bandra's newest all-day diner, Slow Burger Co, opening its doors, this June 2022

PUTTING THE ‘SLOW’ IN FAST FOOD: SLOW BURGER CO OPENS ITS DOORS IN BANDRA

Mumbai, June 2022:  After launching The Bandstand Pantry, Ranji Trophy Cricketer Sinan Kader is ready to take it slow – when it comes to burgers. In a world where you want it all before you can say the words instant gratification and food is literally at your fingertips, Slow Burger Co. wants you to take a moment – and then bite into the perfect slowly-grilled, freshly seasoned and thoughtfully dressed premium burger. The place will be open from 8th June,2022 onwards. 

Located in the city’s most food-forward suburb, Slow Burger Co. is ready to swap frozen for fresh, quick frying for delicate cooking and burgers-in-a-minute service for thoughtfully prepared plates of comfort food. With the best quality home-ground meat, freshly sourced seasonal produce and artisanal sourdough or brioche of the day, the ultimate product is definitely worth the wait.

The menu, just like the cooking process, is worth going over slowly so you can make just the right choice for your mood of the day. Go the classic way with the slow-grilled Louisiana Grilled Chicken Burger with Cajun ground chicken or the punchy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burger. For comforting Indian flavours, get your hands on Punjab Da Puttar with stone-grilled tandoori chicken or the Lucknow Lamb Galawati made with a melt-in-the-mouth patty paired with mint mayo and cheese. Pescatarians have some ex'sea’llent options to choose from including a Tandoori Salmon burger made with chargrilled salmon & raw mango mayo, Prawn Tempura with kimchi & Fish-o-Fillet while lovers of the OG burger can enjoy options like Serious Steve made with stone-grilled buff minute steak & the criminally good Fat Tony burger with juicy ground beef and cheddar melt.   

Veggie burgers at Slow Burger Co. are treated with as much care as the meat burgers. Enjoy the slow-griddle cooked Tandoori Paneer Burger or dig into layers of flavour with the Zurich Mushroom Burger made with slow-roasted mushroom, sautéed Portobello & cheese fondue melt. Or opt for the Texas Tornado with a spicy kidney beans patty or the slow pan-cooked Bombay Blast with a paneer bhurji patty. If you really want to enjoy the soul of Slow, the signature burgers are a must-try – Norwegian Salmon & Blue Cheese, Surf & Turf with ground chicken & crispy prawns, Nuts on Fire with a delightfully spiced kidney-bean patty & praline crumb and the seasonal Asian Jackfruit Burger with Thai-spice roasted jackfruit, kimchi & wasabi mayo.

While the burgers at Slow are ‘bread’ to be the main characters, the supporting cast also does exceedingly well. Sweet Potato Thickies, Corn Cheese Balls, Vegan Chicken Nuggets, Salmon Fingers, Crackling Prawns and Messy Nachos (choose from veggie, vegan & buff) bring the crunch factor while the chicken Wings of Fire bring the spice. Beyond burgers, one can also dig into other comfort food options like Baguette Toasties with different toppings (guac + feta, forest mushroom, slow-roasted chicken & pulled buff) and signature House Skillets.

At Slow Burger Co., you can enjoy your very own Archies moment against a hand-painted Flintstones wall. The American diner-style vibe pairs wonderfully with Signature Shakes with flavours like Burnt Marshmallows & Vanilla Bean, Chocolate & Caramelized Banana and Mixed Berries and in-house lemonades. And if you want a 2022-updated beverage, you can opt for Turmeric Lattes and Greek Yogurt Smoothies. If you’re ready for some good old classic diner-style fun with impeccably cooked food, are on the lookout for true-to-style American burgers or are just ready to embrace the slow life, this place is quickly going to become a favourite.

Other Information: 

Address: Gloria Apts, Junction of St John Baptist Road, &, Rebello Rd, behind Mount Mary, Mount Mary, Bandra West.

Time: 12 pm to 12 am 

Contact Details: 09151124124

Order in: Swiggy or Zomato 

The Fern Hotels & Resorts celebrates World Environment Day across all its properties

The Fern Hotels & Resorts celebrates World Environment Day across all its properties

World environment day was celebrated across all the Fern hotels & resorts with great enthusiasm and fervour. All the hotels carried out different activities to motivate the staff as well as the guests to take care of the environment.

Some of the hotels opted for plantation drives, others carried out cleanliness drives, some hotels invited children to draw posters, and one of the properties organized a bicycle rally to create awareness about the importance of the day.  Potted plants were distributed to the guests at various hotels. The chefs also did their bit and carved an earth-shaped cake to spread awareness.

Noshir A Marfatia, senior VP, Sales & Marketing, The Fern Hotels & Resorts said. “It is a moment of great satisfaction for us. All the hotels voluntarily participated and planned different activities to create awareness. Our environment ethos has percolated down very well and each and every hotel under our portfolio is serious about improving the environment".

The Fern Hotels & Resorts is India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain and amongst the fastest growing hotel brands in India, with 88 hotels & resorts currently operational under management or opening shortly across 72 locations in India and internationally, under The Fern, The Fern Residency, Zinc by The Fern and Beacon Hotels brands. The company is a part of CG Corp Global, a multi-dimensional Nepalese conglomerate.