Rubystone Hospitality has rolled out new summer packages at its peaceful hill retreat—Green Palms Rubystone in Lansdowne—offering a refreshing escape into the quiet charm of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal hills.

These thoughtfully designed packages invite travellers to slow down and reconnect with nature. Guests can pick from 2 nights/3 days or 3 nights/4 days stays, perfectly suited for quick getaways or extended unwinding. Whether you prefer deluxe rooms, hillside cottages, or elegant suites, the property ensures complete relaxation paired with breathtaking valley views.

Comfort meets convenience with a range of modern amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, hot water, private balconies, and cozy beds. Guests are welcomed with drinks on arrival, hearty breakfasts, and evening teas with tasty snacks. What’s more, the resort blends comfort with conscience through its eco-friendly design and sustainable practices.

But the experience goes far beyond just a comfortable stay. Guests can enjoy guided treks to scenic spots like Tiffin Top, Bhulla Lake, and hidden nature trails, bonfire nights under the stars with music and dance, local sightseeing to places like St. Mary’s Church and Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and family-friendly fun like indoor games, pine grove picnics, and riverside lunches.

What sets Green Palms Rubystone apart is its transparent pricing—no hidden charges—along with the freedom to choose peaceful or adventure-filled packages. Their attentive staff, easy booking options, group discounts, and a commitment to sustainability make every stay special.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, Founder of Rubystone Hospitality, shared, “Lansdowne offers a unique kind of calm, and we’ve designed our summer experiences at Green Palms Rubystone to capture just that. It’s not just about a stay – it’s about a lifetime experience which we want to give to our clients, so they don't regret choosing us.”

Whether you're travelling solo to reflect, planning a romantic couple’s escape, or bringing the whole family along for some quality time, Green Palms Rubystone promises the right blend of peace, comfort, and natural beauty.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its 50th operational property in India with the grand opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking a major milestone in its journey of growth across the country’s premium hospitality landscape.

Strategically located along Lucknow-Sultanpur Road, the new Crowne Plaza offers easy access to prominent areas like Shahid Path IT hub and the local cricket stadium. Designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers, the hotel features 110 rooms and an expansive 40,000ft² of meeting and event space, making it a key destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) events in the region.

Guests can also enjoy an all-day dining restaurant, a stylish bar, a club lounge, a gymnasium, and an outdoor pool—facilities that make the property ideal for everything from corporate stays to family getaways.

This launch comes on the heels of an impressive 2023, during which IHG signed 18 new hotels in India, nearly 30% of which were in the premium and luxury categories. The brand is not slowing down—in fact, it is preparing to more than double its presence in India, with a robust pipeline of around 70 hotels.

Among the upcoming projects are five InterContinental hotels, ten new Crowne Plaza properties, and five voco hotels, all set to open in the next two to five years.

Commenting on the expansion, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are committed to accelerating our expansion across brand segments, with several more hotels in the pipeline this year. Our goal is to deepen our presence in high-growth cities and deliver exceptional hospitality experiences.”

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – MEA & Southwest Asia, added, “India remains one of our most strategic markets globally. While mainstream brands like Holiday Inn and Garner drive our growth, we are also strengthening our premium and luxury offerings with iconic names like Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and Six Senses.”

IHG currently operates hotels under five key brands in India—InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Six Senses, Holiday Inn Resort, and Holiday Inn Express.

In another development, IHG has partnered with Girija Land Ventures to launch the Crowne Plaza Resort Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand, underlining the group’s commitment to expanding into diverse and high-demand locations across India.

A recent white paper by Crowne Plaza also highlighted a growing trend among Indian travellers towards “blended travel”—a mix of work and leisure—with 33% of Indian respondents acknowledging they have engaged in this new travel style, the highest among surveyed countries.

As IHG steps up its India game, its latest opening in Lucknow signals not just a milestone, but a clear sign of things to come in India’s evolving hospitality market.

In a majestic leap into African wildlife hospitality, The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced its debut in South Africa with the signing of three luxury safari lodges under the Taj brand in the Balule Game Reserve, part of the iconic Kruger National Park. This marks a significant milestone for the group as it extends the Taj’s timeless luxury and hospitality ethos to one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.

The three properties — Taj Lion Kings Hilltop Tented Camp (30 keys), Taj Lion Kings Bush Lodge (6 keys), and Taj Lion Kings River Lodge (6 keys) — will offer immersive safari experiences while maintaining the signature Taj charm. Nestled deep in the African wilderness, each lodge will feature all-day dining, a spa, swimming pool, and recreational areas, promising guests both comfort and an authentic connection to the wild.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO of IHCL, shared:

“As the demand for purpose-led travel continues to grow, Taj with its differentiated offerings brings exceptional safari experiences where expert-led jungle drives, community engagement, and conservation-led design come together to create unforgettable journeys. Our foray into Kruger National Park builds on this legacy, offering travellers an authentic connection with nature through a responsible tourism approach.”

The project is in collaboration with OM USA LLC, a New York-based firm led by Adity Patel and Manish Patel, known for its expertise in diamonds, fine jewellery, and real estate ventures across the US and India. Their shared passion for wildlife conservation has inspired this exciting venture.

Manish Patel, speaking on behalf of OM USA LLC, added:

“The tightly controlled environment of the Balule Game Reserve ensures exclusivity and privacy, making it an ideal destination for discerning global explorers. Taj has been a favourite with wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers for over two decades. We are happy to partner with India’s largest hospitality ecosystem to bring the legendary Taj brand to Kruger National Park.”

Kruger National Park, spanning nearly 20,000 sq km, is home to Africa’s famed Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. The Balule Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger area, offers unmatched wildlife viewing with its unfenced borders, off-road game drives, and night safaris, ensuring intimate and rare encounters with nature.

This expansion strengthens IHCL’s international footprint, showcasing India’s luxury hospitality prowess on a global stage, while aligning with evolving global travel trends that seek meaningful, nature-focused experiences.