Zari has announced its entry into India's luxury hospitality landscape with the launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai, Rajasthan. The boutique property marks the debut of the new hospitality brand, which aims to create intimate, experience-led stays rooted in authentic local culture, thoughtful design and personalised hospitality.

Positioned as more than a traditional luxury hotel brand, Zari is built around the philosophy of offering meaningful travel experiences that celebrate destination, heritage and community. The company plans to expand its portfolio with several boutique luxury properties across India in the coming months.

Located in Rajasthan's renowned Leopard Country, Bijapur Lodge is an exclusive six-suite retreat set amidst Jawai's dramatic granite landscape. Spread across five acres of restored natural terrain, the property has been designed to offer guests privacy, tranquillity and immersive experiences while embracing sustainability and understated luxury.

One of the property's signature experiences is its private leopard safari, led by experienced naturalists who introduce guests to Jawai's unique ecosystem, where leopards have coexisted peacefully with the indigenous Rabari community for generations. The conservation-focused safari offers visitors an opportunity to experience one of India's most remarkable wildlife destinations while gaining insights into its ecological and cultural significance.

The culinary programme at Bijapur Lodge highlights Rajasthan's rich food heritage through its Curated Heritage Table, featuring consultant-designed menus prepared using hyper-local ingredients, seasonal produce and traditional recipes. Guests can enjoy regional specialities including Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri and wood-fired delicacies that celebrate the region's culinary traditions.

Beyond wildlife experiences, the lodge offers a range of curated activities including sunset sundowners overlooking Jawai's granite hills, guided Rabari village walks, birdwatching, boat excursions and sunrise yoga sessions amidst nature. Each experience has been designed to encourage deeper connections with the destination, its people and its cultural heritage.

Commenting on the launch, the management of Zari said the brand was created with the belief that true luxury is deeply personal and rooted in meaningful experiences, genuine hospitality and a strong sense of place. They added that Bijapur Lodge embodies this philosophy by offering guests an intimate connection with Jawai's wildlife, traditions and culture, while future Zari properties will continue to celebrate the unique identity of each destination.

The launch of Bijapur Lodge marks the beginning of Zari's vision to establish a portfolio of boutique luxury properties across India, focused on experiential travel, sustainability, cultural authenticity and personalised hospitality.

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of three associates into key management roles, reaffirming the hotel's commitment to nurturing internal talent and building future hospitality leaders.

Tanushree Paul has been promoted to Front Office Manager, Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been elevated to Executive Housekeeper, and Santhosh Ramanna has assumed the role of Director of Engineering.

Previously serving as Assistant Front Office Manager, Tanushree Paul has established herself as a dependable hospitality professional with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and team engagement. A graduate in Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology from NSHM School of Hotel Management, she joined Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse in June 2023 and has progressed steadily through her guest-centric approach and consistent performance.

Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been promoted from Housekeeping Manager to Executive Housekeeper after making significant contributions to enhancing housekeeping standards across the hotel. He is recognised for introducing the Small Acts of Kindness initiative, encouraging personalised guest interactions through thoughtful service gestures. A Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration graduate from IHM Guwahati, Kaustav was also honoured with the Clean Warrior Honours by World of Hospitality for his contribution to the HORECA industry.

Santhosh Ramanna has been elevated from Chief Engineer to Director of Engineering in recognition of his leadership in engineering operations, maintenance management and asset upkeep. His efforts in maintaining operational excellence earned him the Best Upkeep and Maintenance Award for Hotels from Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited in 2025. He holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from KSOU Mysore.

Commenting on the promotions, Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, said the appointments reflect the strong internal talent pipeline the hotel has built over the years. He noted that Tanushree, Kaustav and Santhosh have each played an important role in strengthening guest experiences, operational consistency and team culture, adding that empowering associates to grow and innovate remains central to the hotel's success.

The latest promotions further reinforce Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse's focus on developing talent from within while creating leadership opportunities that support exceptional guest experiences and long-term operational excellence

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping has unveiled a collection of wellness, culinary and lifestyle experiences for July, inviting guests to embrace the slower pace of the season through thoughtfully curated offerings inspired by Northern Thailand's heritage and global flavours.

At the heart of the wellness programme is the Rainy Season Wellness Journey at The ii Spa. Designed to reflect Lanna's traditional healing practices, the experience combines a 60-minute Traditional Thai Massage with a 30-minute herbal compress treatment to ease muscle tension, improve circulation and promote deep relaxation.

Dining takes centre stage at the hotel's signature HONG Chinese Restaurant, where guests can enjoy A Taste of China, a four-course set lunch celebrating Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary touch. The menu features double-boiled chicken soup with ginseng, steamed scallop with egg white custard, wok-seared Wagyu beef, and chilled almond tofu with osmanthus syrup and goji berries.

At KAM Lobby Lounge, guests can indulge in a dragon fruit-inspired afternoon tea, blending tropical flavours with classic French pâtisserie in a setting enriched by traditional Lanna art. Available through the end of August, the experience includes handcrafted desserts, savouries and beverages, with an option to pair the tea with a glass of Prosecco.

Families visiting The Gad Lanna can also take advantage of a seasonal dining promotion, where children aged 12 years and below receive a complimentary dish from the kids' menu for every THB 800++ spent by an accompanying adult. The offer is available for lunch and dinner until the end of August.

The rooftop HONG's Sky Bar continues to elevate the city's nightlife with a series of seasonal promotions. Every Thursday in July, Gin & Glow Ladies Night offers female guests a complimentary Bombay Gin & Tonic, while Sky Social features a two-for-one offer on selected cocktails and wines every weekday through September. Guests can also enjoy Bao After Dark, pairing signature bao buns with a selected beverage as part of a special evening menu.

With experiences spanning wellness, family dining, afternoon tea, rooftop cocktails and refined Chinese cuisine, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping offers guests a diverse selection of seasonal experiences designed to capture the spirit of summer while celebrating the hotel's signature hospitality