Capella Hotels and Resorts Named World's Best Hotel Brand Again

Capella Hotels and Resorts Named World's Best Hotel Brand Again

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 14, 2024

Capella Hotels and Resorts has once again been honored as the Best Hotel Brand by Travel + Leisure in their 2024 World's Best Awards. This marks the second consecutive year that Capella has received this prestigious recognition, cementing its reputation for delivering exceptional guest experiences and personalized service.

In addition to the overall brand recognition, specific Capella properties have also earned top accolades. Capella Singapore has been named the No. 1 Hotel in Singapore, and Capella Ubud in Bali has been awarded the No. 1 Resort in Indonesia. Other notable mentions include Capella Bangkok, ranked as the No. 2 Hotel in Bangkok, and Capella Sydney, listed as the No. 3 City Hotel in Australia and New Zealand.

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Building on this success, Capella Hotels and Resorts is set to expand its footprint with several new openings. In 2025, Capella will debut in Taipei, Kyoto, and at the Galaxy Macau. The brand will also make its entry into the Middle East with Capella Diriyah in Saudi Arabia, opening in 2026. Further expansions are planned for China, with new properties in Nanjing and Shenzhen expected in 2027.

Artisanal Sojourn: A Unique 21-Day Experience

To celebrate their recent accolades, Capella Hotels and Resorts has launched a special 21-day Artisanal Sojourn. This unique journey is designed to immerse guests in the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of each Capella destination. Priced at USD $300,000, the sojourn offers an unparalleled luxury experience across multiple locations.

The journey begins with a three-night stay at Capella Singapore, where guests can enjoy the charm of restored heritage architecture and participate in a batik workshop with Master Tumadi Patri. The itinerary also includes a stay at Capella Ubud in Bali, featuring a pottery crafting session and a sketching class with designer Bill Bensley.

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Next, guests will find tranquility along the Chao Phraya River at Capella Bangkok, with an exclusive dining experience at the one-Michelin-starred Cote and a bespoke outfit design session with craftsman Vvon Sugunnasil. At Capella Hanoi, guests will be treated to a private opera performance and receive a signed copy of "Magnificent 47" by Bill Bensley.

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The journey continues with personalized wellness experiences at Capella Shanghai, including sessions with Michelin-starred chefs and a live demonstration by Chef Pierre Gagnaire. At Capella Tufu Bay, guests can explore Tanka Village, learn about the Tanka people’s maritime culture, and participate in a seafood cooking class.

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The sojourn concludes in Sydney with a sail along the harbor guided by Aboriginal elder Aunty Margret Campbell, an alfresco lunch by Brasserie 1930’s culinary team, and a private seaplane charter offering stunning views of the city's landmarks.

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About Capella Hotels and Resorts

Capella Hotels and Resorts is renowned for its properties in locations such as Singapore, Sydney, Ubud, Bangkok, Hanoi, Shanghai, and Hainan. Future openings include destinations like Taipei, Kyoto, Riyadh, Nanjing, Shenzhen, and South Korea. The brand is dedicated to highlighting local heritage, culture, and community through thoughtful design and personalized service.

Capella Hotels and Resorts is a member of the DISCOVERY loyalty program, which includes 40 independent hotel brands across over 100 countries. The brand continues to innovate and provide unique guest experiences that reflect the essence of each destination.


Beyond Palaces and Ballrooms: Indian Weddings Redefine Tradition

Beyond Palaces and Ballrooms: Indian Weddings Redefine Tradition

By Hariharan U

Published on October 1, 2025

Indian weddings have always carried the weight of grandeur, but today’s celebrations are moving beyond the palace-and-ballroom template. Guest lists may be getting smaller, yet the experiences are becoming more imaginative, meaningful, and deeply personal. Couples are rewriting tradition with destinations that offer far more than backdrops they create stories.

 In Ras Al Khaimah, weddings feel like they belong in a dreamscape. Here, mehendis unfold in centuries-old coral-stone courtyards, while adventurous celebrations take flight on the Jebel Jais zipline. At Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, haldis take place barefoot on private beaches, where the golden sun mirrors the turmeric hues. Evenings shift seamlessly from ballrooms glowing with sangeet lights to pheras under desert skies painted in fire.

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 Thailand’s charm lies in its intimacy. Pheras take place on terraces that seem to float above the Andaman, framed by limestone cliffs. Sangeets glow under paper lanterns in tropical gardens, while mornings start with Thai wellness rituals. At Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, weddings begin with a dawn blessing by monks a moment of serenity before the festivities unfold. Each celebration here feels uniquely curated, never copied.

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 Seychelles transforms weddings into experiences that feel elemental. With its scattering of islands—from cultural Mahé to untouched Platte couples celebrate amidst nature that feels otherworldly. Pheras glow on pristine beaches, mehendis spill into palm groves, and starlit sangeets bring families together in landscapes so pristine they feel eternal.

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 Kenya offers backdrops where nature writes half the story. In Nairobi’s wildlife conservancies or the Maasai Mara, vows unfold as elephants graze in the distance and golden skies turn to star-filled nights. Safari lodges double as venues, blending game drives with evening sangeets. Along the coast, Mombasa and Diani host barefoot pheras on soft white sand, followed by Swahili feasts and music carried by the sea breeze. No two weddings here are alike each one shaped by the wild or the ocean.

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 Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas feels designed for Indian weddings. With its vast coastline, palatial ballrooms, and villa clusters, every ritual finds a fitting stage. Lantern-lit courtyards host mehendis, pheras glow beneath Gulf sunsets, and sangeets spark to life in waterparks or glittering ballrooms. It’s luxury and drama, woven seamlessly into days of celebration.

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Sri Lanka offers something different intimacy as the ultimate luxury. Teardrop Hotels’ boutique estates host weddings that feel more like family tales than events. Within Galle Fort, pheras unfold to the rhythm of the ocean. In Nuwara Eliya, misty tea fields wrap couples in a fairytale haze. Along southern beaches, barefoot ceremonies gather only the closest circle, turning vows into cherished secrets.

For Indian couples, weddings have never been just about two people, they’re about family, rituals, and memory. Today, as celebrations shift toward immersive and personal experiences, the future of Indian weddings lies not in how big they are, but in how deeply they resonate.


Banyan Tree Spa Krabi Honoured at Thailand Tourism Awards

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi Honoured at Thailand Tourism Awards

By Hariharan U

Published on September 30, 2025

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi has been recognised at the Thailand Tourism Awards, taking home the Outstanding Award in the Hotel & Resort category and the Sustainability Award in Health & Wellness Tourism. Both accolades reflect the spa’s dedication to personalized care, sustainable practices, and use of locally sourced ingredients.

While Banyan Tree Spa Krabi secured second prize in both categories, its sister property, Banyan Tree Spa Samui, also made the Top 5 for Outstanding and Top 10 in Sustainability, underscoring the Banyan Tree brand’s growing reputation in luxury, wellness, and sustainability.

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Montira Vichiankoo, Spa & Gallery Manager at Banyan Tree Spa Krabi, said, “Our treatments draw from Krabi’s heritage, using ingredients like coconut, turmeric, and tamarind to create authentic experiences. Sustainability is at our core—we support the local community while ensuring our team shares these values with guests. Personalized care is key, from our signature ‘Scent of the Day’ welcome ritual to treatment consultations and self-care guidance after the visit.”

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The spa features eight treatment suites with private gardens and adaptive “colour-calm” lighting designed to balance guests’ chakras. It is also home to Krabi’s first hydrotherapy spa, The Rainforest, offering a holistic wellness journey with a Rain Walk, Steam, Sauna, Ice Fountain, Vitality Pool, Outdoor Cold and Hot Plunge Pools, Jet Pool, and Heated Bed.

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi was recently recognised by the MICHELIN Guide as one of Thailand’s seven most luxurious spas and received 2 Keys for its hotel listing. Its Wellbeing Sanctuary programme, led by Ayurvedic specialist Dr Subhash Shanbhag, combines meditation, yoga, massage, nutritious diet, and sleep therapy to deliver a holistic wellness experience.

The resort itself offers 72 suites and villas, all sea-facing with private infinity and jet pools, alongside recreational activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Thai boxing, hiking, and fine dining with Thai and international cuisine.

About Banyan Tree Group:
Founded in 1994, Banyan Tree Group is a global hospitality leader focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and exceptional design-led experiences. With 58 operating hotels in 17 countries and 47 properties under development, the group has received over 2,900 awards and recognition for its environmental and community initiatives through the Banyan Tree Global Foundation. Strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Accor, support its global growth and guest loyalty programmes.


Wyndham Garden Opens in Conegliano, Italy

Wyndham Garden Opens in Conegliano, Italy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 30, 2025

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Wyndham Garden Conegliano, a four-star hotel located in the heart of Italy’s Veneto region. Known for its cultural heritage and world-class winemaking, the region is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prosecco Hills, offering guests the chance to explore rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and family-run wineries.

The Wyndham Garden Conegliano combines contemporary design with a wide range of amenities for both leisure and business travelers. Its 51 refurbished guestrooms feature modern furnishings, premium bath products, a pillow menu, and mini fridges, along with bright, airy interiors. Guests can enjoy fresh Italian and international dishes at the Nice & Vice self-service restaurant, Starbucks coffee, and a continental buffet breakfast at the Garden Lounge Bar, which transforms into a relaxed evening space.

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Positioned near Conegliano’s train and bus stations and only half an hour from Treviso Airport, the hotel offers easy access to local attractions, including Venice and the Dolomites. Prosecco Road, Italy’s first official wine route, is just a short distance away, inviting guests to enjoy vineyard tours, tastings, and regional cuisine.

The hotel also provides a fitness centre, free parking, and pet-friendly facilities. For business and events, it offers 70 square meters of event space with a meeting room that accommodates up to 50 guests, supported by catering services and audiovisual facilities.

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Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “With the rising demand for meaningful experiential travel, Wyndham Garden Conegliano is ideally positioned to attract this growing audience. Located in the heart of the Treviso wine-making region, the hotel is set to drive further footfall to local wineries, cultural heritage sites, and historic landmarks.”

Alberto Reggidori, CEO, All In Italia Hotels & Resorts, added, “In our third collaboration with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, we’ve created a traditional but modernised destination, where the soul of Veneto is poured into every experience. From the rolling vineyards to the timeless charm of Treviso, guests are invited to savour the beauty, culture, and warmth that define this region.”

This is the third hotel developed under Wyndham’s partnership with All In Italia Hotels & Resorts, following openings in Siracusa and Florence. Guests at Wyndham Garden Conegliano can also benefit from Wyndham Rewards, named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA Today.

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