Restaurant India News: The St. Regis Goa Resort Launches Amocasa at Oliveto: A First-of-its-Kind Italian Culinary Experience

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company unveils Hari Ganga Niwas – IHCL SeleQtions in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. This is brand’s second hotel in Haridwar, after the popular Pilibhit House.

Located beside the Ganges since 1913, the hotel offers calm escape just steps away from the busy riverside market. Rooms open to peaceful views of the river, while Ghar Se, the vegetarian restaurant, serves comforting home-style food made with local ingredients. Guests can enjoy guided heritage walks, local food experiences, and the evening Ganga Aarti at the hotel’s private ghat.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “Hari Ganga Niwas strengthens IHCL’s footprint in Uttarakhand and reflects our commitment to preserving heritage while creating authentic travel experiences. This restored 15-key heritage retreat is our sixth hotel in collaboration with the Prasad Group and extends IHCL’s offering in the spiritual circuit of India.”  

Vibhas Prasad, Promoter, Prasad Heritage Group, added, “Building on the success of Pilibhit House, we are delighted to extend our partnership with IHCL to present Hari Ganga Niwas — a retreat that reflects Haridwar’s timeless spirit and our family’s enduring legacy” 

Haridwar, one of India’s seven holiest cities, is known for its iconic Har ki Pauri aarti, ancient ghats, and vibrant festivals like the Kumbh Mela, making the city is a living tapestry of spirituality and culture. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 34 hotels in Uttarakhand, including 21 under development.  

AMETSA opens in the timeless city of Amritsar. Once an ancestral farmhouse, AMETSA has been lovingly reimagined into a five-acre haven, shaded by decades-old trees, alive with gentle animals, and attuned to the rhythms of nature. 

Located just 3 minutes from the airport, 10 minutes from the railway station, and 20 minutes from the Golden Temple, AMETSA strikes a rare balance offering seclusion without sacrificing accessibility. Rooted in the Gujral family’s legacy of celebrating life’s milestones on this land, the retreat was created from a simple yet profound desire: to share a sense of belonging, love and togetherness with every guest who enters.

The retreat offers 24 spacious rooms, each with a private balcony overlooking lush greenery. Bathed in natural light, the rooms are adorned with soft tones and organic textures, creating an intimate haven where mornings begin with golden sunlight and evenings end with nature’s quiet whispers.

Barahdari, the signature restaurant, presents a refined multi-cuisine experience, while distinctive settings like Andúne—a romantic boat dining space, the open lawns, and the airy garden room make every meal a memory. At Taberna, the resort’s thoughtfully designed bar, cocktails are crafted with imagination and artistry, ensuring evenings unfold with flavour, elegance, and a touch of magic.

“AMETSA is where our family has celebrated life, love, and legacy for decades. We created this space so others could feel the same warmth and belonging we’ve always felt here. AMETSA isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a place to feel at home,” said the Gujral family, the hearts and hands behind this vision.

Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway has appointed Veerakumar B as the hotel’s new Food & Beverage Manager. With over 12 years of rich experience in the hospitality industry, Veerakumar brings deep expertise and a proven track record. He has been associated with leading brands such as Hyatt Regency, Chennai, and Taj Chandigarh, with his most recent role at Park Hyatt, Chennai.

A graduate in Hotel Administration from Alagappa University, Chennai, Veerakumar’s expertise will further enhance our service standards and strengthen our commitment to delivering excellence in every dining experience.

Divakar Shukla, General Manager of Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway, stated, “We are excited to welcome Veerakumar to our leadership team. With a proven ability to align food and beverage strategy with business goals, he brings the expertise and energy needed to take our culinary offerings to the next level. We look forward to the fresh ideas and guest-centric focus he will bring to the table.”

Carlton Wellness Group launches exclusive wellness resort in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, featuring 40 ultra-premium wellness villas owned by Krillam Resorts. This milestone marks a defining moment in India’s luxury wellness offering, positioning Ongoleas the site of India’s first global wellness resort residences.

Starting at ₹3.33 Cr, Carlton’s wellness villas are backed by Krillam Resorts blend marine-inspired architecture with Ayurveda, Panchakarma, and holistic therapies, in collaboration with Sri Sri Tattva and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The result is a first-of-its-kind destination that fuses luxury living, global wellness, and a compelling investment opportunity in Ongole.

Homeowners enjoy assured rental income, exclusive complimentary wellness stays, and the benefit of long-term appreciation is projected at up to 3x growth in five years. Every villa is professionally managed, with services spanning maintenance, guest experiences, and bespoke wellness programs, ensuring complete peace of mind. With Ongole’s fast-rising infrastructure including a new airport, high-speed rail, and proximity to spiritual hubs and the township is primed to emerge as a global hotspot for luxury wellness tourism. 

Omkar Navge, CEO of Carlton Wellness Group said, “Carlton Wellness is redefining luxury living through wellness. Our Ongole villas, starting at ₹3.33 Cr, combine tranquillity, authentic wellness experiences, and financial growth. With Krillam Wellness Resorts Pvt. Ltd. as the villa owner, we are delivering a project that perfectly reflects Carlton’s global brand promise. 

Suresh Goyal, CEO & Founder of Krillam Wellness Resorts Pvt. Ltd. shared, “Krillam Wellness Resorts is proud to partner with Carlton Wellness Group to bring this landmark project to life. Our commitment is to deliver resort villas that reflect the highest standards of quality, wellness integration, and long-term value for every investor and resident.”

Kamat Hotels India Ltd has declared the inauguration of IRA by Orchid Hotels in Nashik.

This marks the expansion of their recently introduced upper mid-segment hotel brand. This new addition to the IRA brand comes after the successful launch of similar establishments in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar earlier this year, reaffirming The Orchid Hotel Group's dedication to reshaping the landscape of guest experiences in Nashik.

This selected location ensures l convenience and ease, featuring 32 finely furnished rooms equipped with contemporary amenities.

Additionally, the hotel features two dining establishments: 'Makeba' for an al fresco culinary adventure and 'Crossroads' for a more formal dining experience suitable for families and corporate gatherings, offering a diverse menu that includes authentic Indian and continental cuisine.

"We are thrilled to unveil our third IRA by Orchid Hotels, with two more on the horizon by this year-end in Sambhaji Nagar and Ayodhya. Our rapid portfolio expansion has been met with tremendous enthusiasm from our loyal guests, spanning decades. What's truly gratifying is the growing interest from those considering the upgrade of their hotels or embarking on new ventures with the Orchid brand. They're drawn to IRA, inspired by what they've witnessed in Mumbai, and particularly with this exciting addition in Nashik. We have been receiving immensely positive feedback from our guests and stakeholders, and the future of IRA looks very bright.” said, Vishal Kamat, Executive Director, Kamat Hotels India Ltd.

The newest addition to the IRA brand in Nashik is set to be a choice for travelers seeking a tranquil weekend escape or embarking on religious pilgrimages to destinations like Trimbakeshwar, Kumbh Mela, Kalaram Temple, famous vineyards like Sula, and other attractions.

Furthermore, the facility also caters to environmentally-conscious travelers by providing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for added convenience.

Samhi Hotels and Motisons Jewellers, a retail jewelry company based in Jaipur, have received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise capital through an initial public offering (IPO).

The two companies resubmitted their initial documents to SEBI in March of this year and received observation letters from SEBI between August 28 and August 31, according to an update from SEBI on Tuesday.

In the terminology used by SEBI, when it issues an observation, it signifies its approval for the commencement of the initial share offering.

According to the preliminary documents, Samhi Hotels has outlined its IPO plan, which includes raising Rs 1,000 crore through the issuance of new equity shares and offering 90 lakh equity shares held by current shareholders for sale.

The Offer For Sale (OFS) comprises the following share sales: Blue Chandra Pte Ltd plans to sell 42.36 lakh equity shares, Goldman Sachs Investments Holdings (Asia) Ltd intends to sell up to 24.78 lakh equity shares, GTI Capital Alpha Pvt Ltd plans to sell up to 15.47 lakh equity shares, and the International Finance Corporation aims to sell up to 7.39 lakh equity shares.

This represents a partial withdrawal by current shareholders in order to comply with listing regulations.

Previously, the company submitted its IPO documents to SEBI in September 2019 and received approval from the market regulator in November 2019 for the initial share offering, but the company chose not to proceed with the launch at that time.

The Gurugram-based firm intends to use the net proceeds from the new equity shares, totaling Rs 750 crore, to repay debt and for general corporate needs.

As of February 28, 2023, Samhi Hotels possesses a portfolio of 25 operational hotels, with a total of 3,839 rooms, strategically located in 12 major urban centers in India, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, the National Capital Region (NCR), Pune, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

By February 2023, Samhi Hotels holds the distinction of being the biggest owner of Fairfield by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express brands in India.

The company operates under extended management agreements with renowned global hotel operators such as Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG.

Regarding the Motisons Jewellers IPO, it entails the issuance of 3.34 crore new equity shares and does not include any Offer For Sale (OFS) component.

The MRS Group of Hotels, home to three  establishments Suryagarh Jaisalmer, Narendra Bhawan Bikaner, and Mary Budden Estate, has revealed Fareena Farid as their newly appointed Director of Wellness.

She has over fifteen years of expertise as a certified yoga instructor and is highly proficient in instructing diverse yoga styles, particularly excelling in asanas, pranayama, yoga nidra, and meditation, among other disciplines.

Before joining The MRS Group of Hotels, Fareena held the position of Yoga Manager at Ananda in the Himalayas, where she introduced a range of introspective practices to pamper guests with revitalizing rituals.

Additionally, Fareena serves as the brand ambassador for Proyog.

“Yoga has been my salvation, it has taught me to be in alignment with my mind, body and soul and I am grateful to now be sharing this gift with travellers seeking holistic wellness experiences at our hotels. It is nothing short of a dream come true to be teaching and practising yoga against the opulent backdrop of Suryagarh Jaisalmer as well as Narendra Bhawan Bikaner and Mary Budden Estate.” said, Fareena Farid.

In her role as the Director of Wellness at The MRS Group of Hotels, Fareena Farid will oversee the creation of tailor-made plans and immersive encounters for guests interested in embarking on a path of mindfulness and rejuvenation, tailored to their individual requirements.

Fareena will also lead cutting-edge wellness sessions, encompassing activities such as aqua yoga, guided meditation, healing ceremonies, and beyond.

She holds a firm belief that yoga enhances well-being and empowers individuals to attain serenity, focus, and vitality.

Mr. Chandan Sharma, with more than a decade of experience in luxury hospitality sales in Gurgaon and Bengaluru, has been appointed as the Director of Sales for JW Marriott Kolkata.

As part of his current position, this accomplished professional is responsible for creating and executing the sales strategy for the hotel, which includes tasks such as identifying and capitalizing on revenue opportunities, exploring new business prospects, setting yearly budgets, and formulating strategies.

He creates effective sales plans across all market sectors to enhance the hotel's profitability, creates sales strategies by analyzing consumer purchasing patterns and market conditions, and promotes high-end experiences to guests.

Originally from Delhi, Chandan Sharma graduated from RIG Institute of Hospitality & Management in Greater Noida, with a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management.

With extensive experience in hospitality and sales, Chandan has worked with prestigious luxury brands such as The Oberoi Gurgaon, The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore, Pullman Gurgaon (now Le Meridien Gurgaon), Marriott Gurgaon, and Prrathaa Weddings in Bengaluru (a luxury wedding planning company).

During his tenure with these companies, he focused on various aspects of the business, including sales and marketing, operations, revenue management, recruitment, and training. Chandan has established strong market connections and possesses excellent business acumen.

Acknowledged for his ability to lead sales teams and deliver positive outcomes, Chandan is recognized as an exemplary leader who inspires and encourages his team to overcome challenges and succeed.

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has announced the appointment of Deepak Verma as the Director of Sales & Marketing.

Deepak has begun his professional journey with The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts as a member of the regional sales team and now returns to lead sales operations at The Leela Ambience Gurugram. His main objective is to enhance the market share and execute revenue-generating campaigns.

Prior to this, Deepak gained experience working with international brands such as Movenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore, Hyatt Regency Delhi, Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, and The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. He holds a Bachelor in Commerce from North Bengal University and is an alumnus of the IILM Institute for Higher Education in Gurgaon.

He has worked across large format hotels while leading the hotel to achieve its budget with strategic planning and implementation.

Deepak likes to lead the team by example and is consistently recognized for his achievements and initiatives. He has a deep understanding of key markets and business segments and his business savvy helps him to elevate the hotel to a higher level.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel group has entered the Northeast market by opening its first hotel in Guwahati, according to a report published by Economic Times.

The group is planning to open more hotels in the state capitals of Northeast India. With this opening, the Northeast region has got its first five star hotel.

“We are prospecting; several private investors have evinced interest in partnering us in different places of Northeast India. If we get suitable land we are keen to start a hotel in the vicinity of Kaziranga National park in Upper Assam. Another Redisson Blu is coming in Kolkata and it will be ready in another two years. We already have one hotel operating in Kolkata,” Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer, Carlson Hotels (South Asia) Private Limited told ET.

With this opening, Carlson has added 9 hotels in its portfolio in India this year taking the number count to 73 hotels in the country.

However, across India at least 23 hotels are under various stages of consideration. The Guwahati hotel is managed by Carlson Rezidor Hotel group, while Dharmpal Satyapal group has promoted the hotel.

Dharmpal Satyapal has invested close to Rs 300 Crore in the hotel. Whereas, the Assam government has leased 5 acres of land to the project, for which it will get Rs 30 crore annually.

Mövenpick launched its first ice cream boutique at Select City Walk, New Delhi.

Commenting on the launch, Dennis Koorey, Country Business, Mövenpick Australia said, “We are excited about our first boutique in Delhi. The city has a certain flair and passion for the best that suits our brand and target audience.”

All Mövenpick products are made in Switzerland without artificial additives, flavourings or colours. For example, the mango sorbet is made using only the finest mangoes in the world, Alfonso magpies from India. The Swiss chocolate ice cream uses cocoa sourced from the finest cocoa plantation in Venezuela.

Tarun Sikka, MD, Star Foods Speciality, the distributor of the brand in India, said, “We have plans to open around 50 ice cream boutiques in the next three years. The Indian super premium ice cream category is growing rapidly, and our brand and offering is perfectly positioned to capitalise on this.”

The Claridges Hotels and Resorts has unveiled The Dhaba by Claridges after twenty nine years by establishing the iconic Dhaba by Claridges at DLF Place, Saket.  The objective is to cater to youngsters who do not visit five-star hotels frequently and prefers to hang out at casual locations that provide great food at good prices.

This is Claridge’s first venture outside the hotel premises. It offers seating capacity for hundred people. The Dhaba at The Claridges has been an iconic landmark of the city’s food scene since its inception in 1984. The idea behind the restaurant was to recreate the quintessential Dhaba experience in a five-star setting.

The menu at The Dhaba by Claridges is divided into three parts, tawa, tandoor and patila and includes typical rustic dishes.

Chef Ravi Saxena, The Claridges said, “We are very excited to take this brand out of the hotel in the restaurant format. We are sure that Dhaba by Claridges will go places with this new venture. With the kind of reputation the original Dhaba has built for itself, the quality, freshness and variety on offer in terms of cuisine is sure to leave guests spoilt for choice. The new version of Dhaba at Saket will also especially cater to the walk in customer who prefers to have light meals on the go between the 3 to 7 pm time slot with a lip smacking line of snacks and savouries.”

Vineet Kochar, Operational Head, Dhaba by Claridges said, “The entire team is really excited about the launch of a new Dhaba outlet. We have extended the service philosophy of the legendary Dhaba which is already an established brand. Unlike any other north Indian eatery which is normally very traditional in ambience and service, Dhaba by Claridges brings in a fusion of delicacies tinged with a authentic falour , colourful server garbs combined with a cool and contemporary décor to create modern epicurean delight. We want to give new dimensions to the way a north Indian restaurant operates. It will be a destination for amazing food as well as fun filled service.”