Kaara Hotels has announced the launch of Aayra, its new boutique hotel brand, with the opening of its first property, Aayra Dehradun. Located on Canal Road in Dehradun, the 18-room boutique urban hotel marks Kaara Hotels’ expansion into the growing experience-led mid-market hospitality segment.

Designed to cater to business travellers, families, groups and leisure guests, Aayra Dehradun combines contemporary comfort with personalised hospitality. The launch introduces Kaara Hotels’ boutique hospitality vertical, focusing on compact urban hotels that offer reliable service, thoughtful design and memorable guest experiences.

The property features well-appointed rooms, Fluid, a rooftop bar and lounge, along with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces designed for intimate celebrations, meetings and social gatherings. Its strategic location provides convenient access to key city attractions while also serving as a gateway for travellers heading towards Mussoorie and other destinations across Uttarakhand.

Positioned as a rooms-first urban hotel, Aayra Dehradun focuses on comfort, convenience and personalised service. The property is designed to meet the needs of modern travellers seeking dependable accommodation for business trips, family holidays, celebrations and weekend escapes.

Commenting on the launch, Puneet Sethi, Managing Director, Kaara Hotels, said that Aayra has been created to reflect changing travel preferences, with guests increasingly looking for intimate, thoughtfully designed hotels backed by professional hospitality standards. He added that Aayra Dehradun represents the brand’s vision of delivering warm and personalised experiences across multiple Indian cities.

Aayra has been developed as Kaara Hotels’ boutique urban hospitality brand, following a rooms-first operating model suited for high-frequency business and leisure travel. The brand aims to create intimate hotel environments that also support small gatherings and social occasions.

Following the launch of Aayra Dehradun, Kaara Hotels plans to expand the brand across India through an asset-light management model, targeting opportunities in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

Founded in 2021, Kaara Hotels has built its presence in India’s mid-market hospitality sector, operating three properties across Gurugram and Dehradun with a combined inventory of 178 rooms, 12 banquet spaces and around five acres of hospitality assets.

The company currently operates through two hospitality brands - Kaara, focused on leisure and destination hospitality, and Aayra, designed for boutique urban stays. Supporting its operations is HOSPINS, Kaara Hotels’ proprietary technology platform integrating pricing, procurement, property management, analytics and customer engagement to improve efficiency and consistency across its portfolio.

With its expansion strategy, Kaara Hotels aims to grow to 120 hotels and achieve ₹500 crore in annual revenue by FY30-31, strengthening its position in India’s evolving hospitality landscape.

Romeo Lane Dubai has announced the appointment of Chef Aakash Tyagi as its new Executive Chef, reinforcing the restaurant's vision of delivering innovative contemporary dining experiences through creative culinary craftsmanship.

Chef Aakash brings more than 10 years of experience in Modern Indian cuisine, with expertise in menu development, restaurant pre-openings, concept creation, operational leadership and culinary innovation. Over the years, he has established a reputation for developing distinctive dining concepts that blend traditional Indian flavours with contemporary techniques.

Before joining Romeo Lane Dubai, Chef Aakash served as Executive Chef at Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur across India and the UAE. During his tenure, he played a key role in launching the brand's outlets and managing culinary operations across five locations. He also developed the restaurant's signature menu, presenting regional Indian cuisine through a modern perspective while preserving its authenticity. Under his leadership, the restaurant received international recognition, including acknowledgment in the Michelin Guide 2025.

Earlier in his career, Chef Aakash led the pre-opening of Suzy Q in Bengaluru, where he curated a menu inspired by Karnataka's coastal cuisine and seasonal produce. His collaboration with seafood suppliers from Mangalore and emphasis on regional ingredients helped position the restaurant among the city's popular dining destinations.

He also served as Sous Chef at Raahi, Bengaluru, where he contributed to creating one of the city's pioneering restaurants dedicated to modern interpretations of regional Indian cuisine. His work incorporated techniques such as fermentation and kombucha while celebrating indigenous culinary traditions.

Chef Aakash has also worked with leading hospitality brands including Namak at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, and Taj Lands End, Mumbai, experiences that shaped his contemporary cooking style rooted in classical culinary techniques.

In his new role, Chef Aakash will oversee all culinary operations at Romeo Lane Dubai, including kitchen management, menu innovation, quality assurance, food costing, vendor partnerships and team development. He has also conceptualised a new Modern Indian and Japanese menu, featuring a unique fusion of Robata grilling and traditional Tandoor cooking techniques, complemented by seasonal ingredients and progressive presentation.

Speaking on his appointment, Chef Aakash Tyagi said he is excited to join Romeo Lane Dubai during an important phase of its growth and aims to create a dining experience that celebrates India's culinary heritage while embracing global techniques, innovation and bold flavours.

The appointment reflects Romeo Lane Dubai's continued focus on strengthening its culinary leadership as it seeks to establish itself as one of Dubai's leading destinations for contemporary dining

Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 has announced the appointment of Vikas Sharma as its new Security Manager, further strengthening the hotel's leadership team in safety, security and risk management.

Vikas brings more than 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with expertise spanning hotel security operations, fire and life safety management, crisis response planning, CCTV surveillance, VIP movement management, risk assessment, incident investigation and team development.

Before joining Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, Vikas served as the Pre-Opening Security Manager at India's first voco by IHG in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand. In this role, he successfully implemented safety, security and compliance systems aligned with international hospitality standards during the hotel's pre-opening phase.

His career also includes associations with leading hospitality brands such as Cabbana Resort & Spa, Phagwara, and Galaxy Hotel Shopping & Spa, Gurugram, where he gained extensive operational experience in hotel security and guest safety.

At Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, Vikas will oversee all aspects of hotel safety, security operations, compliance and risk management. His responsibilities will include ensuring a secure environment for guests, employees and other stakeholders while maintaining the highest standards of operational safety.

Commenting on the appointment, Rishabh Jain, General Manager, Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, said that Vikas' strong operational expertise, proactive approach to safety and extensive hospitality experience make him a valuable addition to the leadership team. He added that the hotel is confident his leadership will further strengthen its commitment to guest and employee safety.

Expressing his enthusiasm about joining the hotel, Vikas Sharma said he is honoured to become part of the Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 team and looks forward to contributing towards enhancing safety standards, strengthening operational security and creating a secure environment for both guests and colleagues.

Outside work, Vikas enjoys playing and watching cricket, maintaining fitness through gym workouts and pursuing his passion for cooking.