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By Hariharan U
Published on March 10, 2026
Some hotels collect guests. Azerai's two Vietnam properties spent 2025 collecting awards,and quite a few of them at that.
Azerai Ke Ga Bay and Azerai La Residence, Hue both entered the new year riding a wave of recognition from some of the most respected names in global travel. It's the kind of year that validates everything a hospitality brand stands for,and for Azerai, founded by veteran hotelier Adrian Zecha, it clearly signals that the vision is landing exactly as intended.
Azerai Ke Ga Bay, A Tropical Oasis That the World Has Noticed
The all-suites-and-villas oceanside property in southern Vietnam had quite the run in 2025. It picked up a prestigious MICHELIN Key in October a significant honour that puts it firmly on the map for discerning travellers. Before that, The Times (UK) named it one of Southeast Asia's best boutique hotels, and it took the runner-up spot in the Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World contest,while also winning the title for Most Instagrammable Hotel in Asia, the Indian Ocean, and South Pacific, a contest run by US-based Luxury Travel Advisor.
Smart Travel Asia readers voted it one of Vietnam's Top 10 Family Hotels, and Epicure magazine rounded off the year by naming it Vietnam's Best Boutique Resort for 2025.
Nestled among 4.5 hectares of lush gardens on Vietnam's southern coast,framed by Hon Ba Island and its historic lighthouse on one side and sweeping sand dunes on the other,the resort sits about 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City on a new highway. It's the kind of location that earns its reputation before you've even checked in.
General Manager Julian Moore reflected on the recognition,"Azerai Ke Ga Bay is a lush and serene tropical oasis that draws on the richness of our cultural surroundings to offer the best of Vietnamese luxury. We are thrilled to have received these accolades and recognition and reaffirm our commitment to continue providing truly exceptional guest experiences to each individual guest."
Azerai La Residence, Hue,Where History Meets Hospitality
Meanwhile, in Vietnam's former imperial capital, Azerai La Residence, Hue was having an equally strong year. Travel + Leisure named it one of Vietnam's best upcountry hotels,and in a particularly personal honour, General Manager Minh Phan Trong was recognised as General Manager of the Year.
The 122-room property overlooking the Perfume River also made The Times of London's list of Vietnam's best hotels for 2025, landed on Tatler's Best of Vietnam list, and was named Asia-Pacific's Top Heritage Hotel by NOW Travel Asia. Smart Travel Asia readers voted it one of Vietnam's top 10 hotels for exceptional service, and MICHELIN recognised it as one of the guide's top boutique hotels in northern Vietnam for cultural getaways.
The hotel itself is a beautiful piece of history,centred on a colonial mansion built in 1930 as part of the residence of the French Resident Superieur. Its distinctive façade, with long horizontal lines and nautical flourishes, is a fine example of streamline moderne art deco architecture. Staying here is as much a cultural experience as it is a luxurious one.
General Manager Minh Phan Trong summed it up,"At Azerai, we constantly strive to ensure that our hotel and experiences transform a traveler's sense of place. As we like to say: The destination is just the beginning. These recent honors tell us that we're on the right track and we look forward to helping more guests feel right at home when they stay with us."
Together, these two properties paint a picture of a brand that knows exactly what it's doing,and a 2025 that gave them every reason to walk into 2026 with confidence.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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