Christmas Sparkles at Sheraton Hyderabad with Eco Tree and 12 Foot Yuletide Log

Christmas Sparkles at Sheraton Hyderabad with Eco Tree and 12 Foot Yuletide Log

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 17, 2025

The festive season arrived at Sheraton Hyderabad with warmth, sparkle and a thoughtful message, as the hotel hosted a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony that beautifully blended celebration with sustainability. The lobby was transformed into a charming Christmas setting, complete with reindeers, sledges and a whimsical gingerbread house, setting the tone for an evening filled with joy and togetherness.

Moving away from traditional Christmas trees, the highlight of the evening was a striking upcycled installation crafted entirely from the hotel’s scrap metal and repurposed linen. This sustainable creation stood as a symbol of mindful celebration and formed the perfect backdrop for a lively gathering of in house guests, local patrons and excited children.

The festive spirit was elevated by live music and classic Christmas carols, accompanied by a children’s choir whose cheerful voices filled the space with holiday magic. As the tree lit up, the culinary team added flavour to the celebration with a spread of winter favourites including traditional Stollen, ginger cookies, almond cinnamon cakes, along with comforting servings of mulled wine and eggnog.

The centre of attention, however, was the impressive 12 foot Yuletide log cake. Crafted with dedication, the pastry team spent 72 continuous hours creating this grand dessert, which stood as a delicious expression of the hotel’s festive spirit and attention to detail.

Subhankar Bose, General Manager of Sheraton Hyderabad, shared his thoughts on the celebration, saying, “Our tree, crafted from scrap materials, proves that elegance and sustainability can coexist beautifully. It was truly heartwarming to see our community come together to celebrate the season with a conscience.”

Adding to the excitement, Sheraton Hyderabad also revealed the theme for its upcoming New Year celebrations, titled ‘Ticket to London’, hinting at a British inspired festive experience for guests.

The event was curated by Sourav Pal Chowdhury, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, who ensured every element appealed to the senses. “From the aroma of fresh cinnamon to our massive 12-foot log cake, we wanted a complete sensory feast. My team spent 72 hours perfecting that cake, and seeing the guests’ delight made every moment worth it.”

With this celebration, Sheraton Hyderabad has officially ushered in the holiday season, showcasing how festive elegance can be paired seamlessly with sustainability and thoughtful experiences.


Courtyard by Marriott Madurai Marks Eight Years of Hospitality and Growth

Courtyard by Marriott Madurai Marks Eight Years of Hospitality and Growth

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 25, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Madurai is celebrating its eighth anniversary, marking eight years of hospitality, culinary experiences and strong connections with the city. Since opening in 2018, the hotel has grown alongside Madurai’s tourism, business and hospitality sectors.

The property has built a strong presence among Leisure Travellers, Temple Tourists, Corporate Guests, MICE groups and Wedding celebrations. Over the years, it has continued to adapt to changing guest expectations while focusing on personalized and experience-led hospitality.

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Mr. V. Vasudevan, Chairman, said, “Eight years in Madurai is a milestone built on trust, commitment and strong relationships. We are proud to have grown alongside the city and look forward to creating greater value for Madurai’s hospitality landscape in the years ahead.”

The hotel is also seeing strong business momentum in 2026. During the first half of the year, Courtyard by Marriott Madurai recorded 25%+ growth, with occupancy crossing 85%. Hotel revenue grew by 19.9%, while occupancy growth stood at 8.8%.

Mr. C. Muralikrishnan, Managing Director, said, “Our eight-year journey reflects our ability to evolve with Madurai and its changing hospitality landscape. The strong growth this year reinforces our confidence in the city’s potential and our vision for the future.”

Food and beverage continues to be an important part of the hotel’s offering, with Madurai Kitchen becoming a prominent dining destination for both hotel guests and local diners. Its buffet, food festivals, brunches and curated culinary experiences have added to Madurai’s growing premium dining culture. The hotel has also strengthened its presence in the weddings and MICE segment, having hosted 25+ medical conferences, including national and global associations.

Mr. V. Akshay Ram, Executive Director, said, “Hospitality is ultimately about creating experiences that guests remember. Over the past eight years, we have continually evolved our offerings while staying committed to personalized service and meaningful guest experiences.”

Guest loyalty remains an important part of the hotel’s journey, with repeat guests returning year after year. The property also recorded record guest satisfaction in the first half of 2026. Alongside technology-led convenience, the hotel continues to focus on the human connection that remains central to hospitality.

Sustainability has also become part of the property’s daily operations. Its glass-bottle water plant and energy-efficiency initiatives have helped bring annual electricity consumption down from 2,980,550 kWh to 2,908,447 kWh, saving 72,103 kWh despite an 8.8% increase in occupancy and 19.9% growth in hotel revenue. Engineering-led operational practices have also helped reduce HLP costs from 9.4% to 8.4%.

Mr. Mahesh Padala, General Manager, said, “Our eighth anniversary is a celebration of our guests and our associates who make every experience special. The loyalty of our guests and record satisfaction this year inspire us to raise the bar even further.”

As Courtyard by Marriott Madurai enters its ninth year, the hotel will continue to focus on guest experience, F&B innovation, weddings, MICE, technology and sustainability, while growing alongside Madurai and contributing to the city’s evolving hospitality landscape.


Taj Agra Invites Guests to Embrace the Monsoon with Special Staycation Offer

Taj Agra Invites Guests to Embrace the Monsoon with Special Staycation Offer

By Hariharan U

Published on August 23, 2026

Taj Agra is inviting guests to make the most of the monsoon season with a specially curated Monsoon Staycation, combining comfortable accommodation with dining and wellness benefits for a relaxed getaway in the historic city.

The staycation offer provides guests with savings across key aspects of their stay, including accommodation, food and beverages, and spa and salon services.

Guests can avail 25% savings on breakfast-inclusive stays, along with daily breakfast at the designated dining venue. The offer also includes 25% savings on food and beverages and 25% savings on spa therapies and salon services during the stay.

Speaking about the offer, Bikram Pradhan, Revenue Manager, Taj Agra, said, “The monsoon season offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down, reconnect and enjoy a more leisurely getaway. Through our Monsoon Staycation, we are delighted to welcome guests to Taj Agra for a relaxed and enriching experience, with thoughtfully curated dining and wellness benefits.”

Additional benefits under the offer include up to 8% NeuCoins on eligible bookings and spends, along with standard Wi-Fi throughout the stay.

Key Offer Details:

  • 25% savings on breakfast-inclusive stays
  • Daily breakfast at the designated dining venue
  • 25% savings on food and beverages
  • 25% savings on spa therapies and salon services
  • Up to 8% NeuCoins on bookings and eligible spends
  • Standard Wi-Fi during the stay

The Monsoon Staycation is available for bookings from 18 July to 23 August 2026, with stays valid from 18 July to 30 September 2026.

Located in Agra, Taj Agra offers guests a blend of contemporary hospitality and the cultural heritage of the destination, making it a setting for leisure escapes, celebrations and business stays.

Booking:

Guests can book the offer through Taj Hotels' official booking platform.


The Leela Ambience Gurugram Curates New Luxury Retreat Experience

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Curates New Luxury Retreat Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 22, 2026

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences is inviting guests to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed city escape with its new Luxury Retreat Reserve, an experience created around leisurely mornings, unhurried afternoons and memorable evenings.

Set within the luxury urban sanctuary, the stay offers rooms overlooking a sprawling 1,000-acre forest, giving guests a peaceful setting while still being in the heart of the city.

The experience begins with breakfast at Spectra, the award-winning all-day dining restaurant, followed by a three-course lunch at Diya. Known for its contemporary take on Indian cuisine, Diya brings together traditional flavours and a refined dining setting.

Guests can then spend a relaxed afternoon at The Courtyard Garden, where afternoon tea is served among lush greenery and private cabanas. The setting offers a quiet break from the pace of everyday city life.

For guests who prefer to spend their leisure time outdoors, the experience also includes access to activities at The Leela Ambience Golf Greens and The Leela Cycling Trail, available at an additional charge. The 9-hole golf course offers views of the surrounding landscape, while the cycling trail features curated routes for guests looking to explore the outdoors. After an active afternoon, guests can unwind at the spa with an exclusive credit, which can be used towards personalised therapies.

As the day comes to an end, Zanotta offers an Italian dining experience with panoramic Pearl and Ruby views overlooking Gurugram’s skyline. The restaurant combines Italian cuisine, elegant interiors and a curated beverage selection for a refined evening. The experience also includes round-trip transfers within a 10-kilometre radius and a bottle of house wine, adding to the ease of the stay from arrival to departure.

Available for bookings from 1 September 2026, Luxury Retreat Reserve is designed for guests looking to step away from busy schedules and simply enjoy a slower pace, good food, outdoor experiences and the comfort of having nowhere else to be.

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