Accor Introduces Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City: A New Chapter in Indian Hospitality

Accor Introduces Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City: A New Chapter in Indian Hospitality

By Author

Published on August 30, 2023

Accor, a renowned hospitality Group with over 1,000 properties spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific regions, has recently expanded its Mercure portfolio in India with the addition of Mercure Lucknow. This exciting development is a collaboration with Meghalaya Hotels Pvt Ltd.

Scheduled to welcome its first guests in April 2024, Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City promises an unparalleled stay experience, redefining hospitality standards in the vibrant city of Lucknow. Strategically situated near the iconic Ekana International Cricket Stadium, the hotel offers convenient access to major attractions, business hubs, and transportation facilities.

Aniruddh Kumar, VP of Development, India & South Asia for Accor, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, highlighting Lucknow's rich cultural heritage and thriving business landscape as the ideal backdrop for the Mercure brand.

The property boasts 110 elegantly designed rooms, ensuring guests enjoy a comfortable and relaxing environment during their stay. Food enthusiasts will relish the all-day dining restaurant's delectable array of local and international cuisines. Furthermore, the sophisticated lobby bar provides the perfect space to unwind and savor refreshing beverages after a day of exploration.

A standout feature of Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City is its Terrace Bar, offering breathtaking skyline views—a perfect spot to spend quality time with loved ones while enjoying refreshing drinks.

China Sanyasi Raju Grandhi, Owner of Meghalaya Hotels Private Limited, shared their excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences at Mercure Lucknow.

Accor currently operates 58 properties in India under various distinguished brands, including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis. The Group's robust pipeline includes 25 properties currently under development in India, indicating a promising future in the country's hospitality landscape.


Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur Introduces Helicopter Arrivals for Destination Weddings

Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur Introduces Helicopter Arrivals for Destination Weddings

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2026

Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur has introduced helicopter arrivals for wedding couples, adding an aerial experience to its destination wedding offering in Jaipur.

Managed by Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, the 40-acre resort features 351 rooms along with extensive indoor and outdoor event spaces. The new offering gives couples the option to include a helicopter arrival as part of their wedding itinerary, turning their entry into a memorable part of the overall celebration.

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The move comes as India's luxury destination wedding market continues to see a growing demand for personalised experiences. Families are increasingly looking beyond décor and traditional hospitality, focusing on creating memorable moments throughout the wedding, from guest experiences and entertainment to the couple's arrival.

For destination wedding resorts, this has also changed the way celebrations are planned. Instead of simply providing accommodation and event spaces, properties are increasingly building complete wedding experiences that can adapt to the specific requirements of each family.

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Ravindra Pratap Singh, Chairman, Ravi Surya Group and owner of Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur, said, "Destination weddings have become much more personal. Families are no longer looking only for a beautiful venue; they want to create moments that feel specific to them and that guests will remember. An aerial arrival is one such experience. At Ananta Jaipur, our scale gives us the flexibility to think beyond conventional wedding formats and work with families on how the entire celebration unfolds, from the arrival to the ceremonies and experiences in between."

Destination weddings and MICE remain key demand segments for Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur. The resort has 12 venues, including multiple indoor banquet spaces and large outdoor lawns.

One of its key event spaces is the 70,000 sq. ft. Suijin Lawn. The resort also features a dedicated 16-pillared, Vastu-compliant ceremonial Pagoda, designed for traditional wedding rituals including ghudchadi, baraat, and jaimala. The wedding offering is supported by accommodation across five categories, along with wellness and leisure facilities, landscaped areas and multiple dining experiences. This allows families to host multi-day celebrations largely within the resort.

With Jaipur already established as one of India's leading destination wedding markets, Black Rock Hotels & Resorts expects personalised and experience-led celebrations to play a larger role in how luxury wedding resorts plan and deliver destination weddings.


Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar Invites Guests for a Monsoon Getaway

Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar Invites Guests for a Monsoon Getaway

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2026

With the monsoon turning Mahabaleshwar into a lush escape filled with misty mornings, cool mountain air and refreshing showers, Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar is inviting travellers to make the most of the season with its “Drizzle and Delight – Monsoon Getaway Package”.

Designed for travellers looking for a refreshing break before the monsoon comes to an end, the package brings together dining, wellness and stay benefits for a relaxed getaway in the hills.

The destination offers a chance to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the rains, whether it is a weekend break, family holiday or a trip with loved ones. The package includes breakfast and dinner, available as a buffet or set menu, along with a bottle of wine or two pints of beer on arrival.

Guests can also enjoy wellness and dining benefits during their stay. The package includes a spa voucher per day, which can be redeemed against any treatment of 60 minutes or more. A daily resort credit is also available for lunch, either buffet or à la carte. Adding to the seasonal experience, guests can enjoy a special Monsoon Menu at the designated venue from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The package also includes 1,500 bonus points per stay, giving guests an added benefit during their monsoon escape. As the rains bring a vibrant green look to Mahabaleshwar, guests can spend their days enjoying the weather and surrounding landscape before returning to the resort for relaxed meals, wellness experiences and time with family and friends.

With September approaching and the monsoon season slowly drawing to a close, the Drizzle and Delight – Monsoon Getaway Package offers travellers a chance to enjoy Mahabaleshwar during one of its most beautiful times of the year.

Package Details:

  • Package: Drizzle and Delight – Monsoon Getaway Package
  • Inclusions: Breakfast and dinner (buffet or set menu), bottle of wine or 2 pints of beer on arrival, daily spa voucher, daily resort credit for lunch, Monsoon Special Menu from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and 1,500 bonus points per stay.
  • Validity: Inclusions valid until 30 September 2026.

Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites Bengaluru Drives Community Action with Clean India Green India Initiative

Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites Bengaluru Drives Community Action with Clean India Green India Initiative

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2026

Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Bengaluru, Madiwala has conducted its CSR initiative ‘Clean India, Green India’, supporting the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Government of India's nationwide mission focused on cleanliness, hygiene and responsible waste management.

The initiative brought together hotel associates, volunteers, members of the local community and police officers for a community cleanliness drive aimed at encouraging people to take greater responsibility for their surroundings.

Built around the themes ‘My City, My Responsibility’, ‘Together for a Cleaner Madiwala’, and ‘One Step Towards a Swachh Bengaluru’, the campaign included litter collection and the segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. The participants also engaged with local vendors to create greater awareness around cleanliness and responsible waste disposal.

The initiative also included a greener touch, with the hotel distributing saplings to encourage greener surroundings. Volunteers who took part in the campaign were also recognised with appreciation certificates for their contribution. A Public Cleanliness Pledge was administered during the event, encouraging citizens to follow responsible waste disposal practices and take an active role in promoting cleanliness and sustainability within their communities.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Kashif Masood, General Manager, Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Bengaluru, Madiwala (Sarovar Hotels), said:

“At Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Bengaluru, Madiwala we believe that hospitality extends beyond serving our guests; it also means caring for the communities and environment around us. Through our ‘Clean India, Green India’ initiative, we were proud to support the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and witness the enthusiastic participation of our community In the occasion of Independence day. Every individual effort contributed towards building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Bengaluru, and together we took another meaningful step towards a healthier nation.”

The cleanliness drive reflects the property's focus on responsible hospitality and community welfare, while encouraging collective participation towards creating a cleaner and greener Bengaluru.

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