Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has introduced GDV 2.0 at its popular beachfront venue, Gadda Da Vida, bringing in a refreshed menu and a renewed dining experience. Set along Juhu Beach, the space now offers a stronger coastal focus, blending seafood-led dishes with thoughtfully paired cocktails, all against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea.

GDV 2.0 goes beyond a simple menu update. It brings a more refined approach to both food and drinks, while keeping the lively and social vibe that Gadda Da Vida is known for. The setting, especially during sunset, continues to draw guests looking for a relaxed yet vibrant sundowner experience.

The menu now highlights a range of seafood dishes, including Lobster Tail with Mustard Butter, Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter, Caribbean Blackened Snapper with Plantain Purée, and Miso Glazed Seabass. Other additions such as Charcoal-Grilled Prawns in Jerk Marinade and Fish Cafreal with Smoked Potato Mash reflect a mix of bold flavours and fresh ingredients, presented in a more elevated style.

Alongside these, the menu introduces shareable plates designed for group dining. Options like Fennel-Smoked Fried Prawns, Jerk Chicken Skewers, and Crispy Calamari Rings sit alongside vegetarian dishes such as Malvani Soy ‘Tacos’ and Truffle Mushroom Xacuti Tartlets, offering variety for different preferences.

The dining experience is rounded off with desserts that carry forward the tropical theme. Guests can choose from Tropical Fruit Pavlova, Coconut Mango Panna Cotta, and Espresso Tiramisu, adding a sweet finish to the coastal-inspired menu.

A key highlight of GDV 2.0 is its curated cocktail pairing. Signature drinks such as Angel’s Delight, Synapse Sour, Temple Smoke, Gadda's Secret and Plumnori are crafted to complement the food, with layered flavours and balanced profiles enhancing the overall experience.

With contemporary plating and an emphasis on mixology presentation, the venue also adds a visual element to dining, making it more engaging for guests. The overall setting now feels more energetic, turning a simple meal into a complete sensory experience.

With this update, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to strengthen its position as a leading beachfront destination in the city. By bringing together well-curated cuisine, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere, Gadda Da Vida evolves into a space that goes beyond dining to offer a memorable sundowner experience.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach said, “With GDV 2.0, our vision was to go beyond a menu refresh and reimagine the entire beachfront experience at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Gadda Da Vida has always been synonymous with sundowners, and this change allows us to align the culinary narrative more closely with our seaside setting. With this menu revamp, we aim to elevate the value proposition of our F&B portfolio while reinforcing our standing as one of Mumbai’s most dynamic beachfront hospitality destinations.”

Most people know Ekta Nagar as the home of the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue. But the destination is becoming considerably more than that single landmark, and travellers who make the trip are discovering a place that genuinely rewards spending more than an afternoon there.

Since their launch during Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, IHCL's Vivanta and Ginger properties in Ekta Nagar have been welcoming a growing number of travellers drawn by the region's unique combination of cultural significance, natural beauty, and modern hospitality. Located just three kilometres from the Statue of Unity, both properties are well-positioned as bases for exploring everything the destination has to offer.

The experiences around Ekta Nagar are more varied than most first-time visitors expect. The Narmada Aarti at the Narmada Ghats is a genuinely moving experience, the kind that stays with you in the way that the best travel moments do. Aarogya Van offers a wellness-focused nature experience, while the Miyawaki Forest brings a different kind of green immersion to the destination. The Maze Garden and Glow Garden add leisure and visual appeal to a destination that already has plenty of substance.

At Vivanta Ekta Nagar, one of the standout dining experiences is the Ekta Thali, a thoughtfully curated spread that celebrates India's culinary diversity by bringing together flavours from across the country in a single meal. It's the kind of offering that reflects the broader spirit of the destination itself: unity through variety.

Vivanta Ekta Nagar brings 127 rooms and suites to the destination alongside wellness and spa facilities, versatile dining options, and curated local excursions that help guests make the most of their time in the region.

Ginger Ekta Nagar offers 151 lean-luxe rooms with the Qmin restaurant serving a mix of global and local cuisine, fitness facilities, and modern meeting spaces for those combining leisure with work.

Together, the two properties give travellers flexible options depending on what kind of stay they're looking for, whether that's a more indulgent, experience-rich visit through Vivanta or a practical, well-designed stay through Ginger.

Ekta Nagar is still building its tourism story, but the foundations are strong. Cultural depth, natural attractions, good hospitality, and a location anchored by one of the world's most visited landmarks make it a destination that deserves more attention than it currently receives. For travellers looking for something beyond the obvious on their next Indian trip, this is one worth putting on the list

North Bengal's tourism corridor keeps growing, and Summit Hotels and Resorts is making sure it has a strong presence in two of its most compelling locations. The homegrown hospitality chain has announced the signing of two new boutique properties: Summit Gulma River Resort in Siliguri and Summit Falling Water near Darjeeling, both 30-room stays built around nature, intimacy, and experiences that put the destination front and centre.

The Siliguri property, located in the Gulma area overlooking the scenic Gulma Tea Estate and a flowing river, is being developed as a boutique address that works equally well for leisure stays and event-led demand. The 30 rooms will include a mix of standard and studio-style options with kitchenettes for extended stay guests. An in-house restaurant, bar, spa, gym, and a banquet hall with capacity for around 150 guests make it a natural choice for boutique weddings, celebrations, and corporate gatherings in the tea garden belt. The property is expected to open on 15th August.

The second property is where things get particularly interesting. Summit Falling Water will be located at Rangbull, approximately 3 kilometres before Darjeeling town along the main highway. Drawing architectural inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater residence, the hotel is designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural landscape. It's built over a natural water stream that flows directly through the property, with all 30 rooms offering private balconies overlooking the stream and surrounding hills.

And then there's the detail that makes it truly special: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train track passes directly in front of the property, giving guests views of the heritage train from the hotel itself. Add seasonal snowfall during winter months and a planned restaurant, coffee shop, spa overlooking the stream, gym, and parking facilities, and this is the kind of property that earns its place on a travel wishlist before it even opens. Summit Falling Water is scheduled to open in early January 2027.

Sumit Mitruka, Founder of Summit Hotels and Resorts, shared the thinking behind both properties. "North Bengal continues to be one of the most compelling tourism regions in Eastern India, with demand driven by leisure travellers, weddings and the growing popularity of experiential hill destinations. Whether it is tea garden landscapes in the plains or a stream flowing through a hill property with views of the toy train, our aim is to create stays where the destination itself becomes the central experience for travellers."

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Siliguri, Summit Hotels and Resorts operates over 30 hotels and resorts across 17 plus destinations, making it East India's leading hospitality chain. With a target of 50 properties by 2030, these two signings are a clear step in that direction, staying true to the group's focus on boutique formats, local community employment, and experiences that genuinely reflect where they are located.