Crowne Plaza Expands in Adelaide and Sydney

Crowne Plaza Expands in Australia with New Openings in Adelaide and Sydney

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 22, 2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a remarkable milestone for its Crowne Plaza brand with the opening of two new properties in Australia—Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes and Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport. These openings mark the beginning of an ambitious expansion strategy, with three more Crowne Plaza hotels set to launch in the next 12 months.

Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes

Nestled in northern Adelaide, the Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes is part of a stunning seven-storey development. With 155 guest rooms, the property features artistic elements inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of South Australia.

Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, including king and twin-share rooms, suites, and kitchenette-equipped options. Catering to both leisure and business travelers, the hotel offers 24-hour in-room dining and boasts more than 442m² of versatile event space, accommodating up to 250 guests for conferences, weddings, or special occasions.

Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport

The Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport has undergone a major transformation, following a $15 million refurbishment in 2022. The upgraded hotel now showcases a refreshed reception area and redesigned guestrooms aimed at providing a relaxing, restorative experience for travelers.

Guests can enjoy 24-hour room service, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a sauna, and event spaces that feature ample natural light and private bar facilities—perfect for hosting corporate gatherings or social events. Conveniently located near Sydney Airport, this property offers a seamless blend of comfort and functionality.

A Glimpse into the Future

IHG’s commitment to growth extends far beyond Australia, with over 90 Crowne Plaza hotels currently in the pipeline for the Asia-Pacific region. Upcoming launches include notable properties such as Crowne Plaza Bangkok Grand Sukhumvit and Crowne Plaza Bangkok Rama 9, further solidifying the brand’s footprint in Southeast Asia.

Additionally, IHG’s Vignette Collection continues to flourish with unique offerings such as the Shanghai Snow World Hotel—a 272-room property featuring direct access to a 90,000m² indoor snow area. This initiative showcases IHG’s focus on innovation and delivering one-of-a-kind experiences tailored to diverse traveler preferences.

Industry Insights

Commenting on the expansion, Tom Rowntree, Vice-President of IHG Luxury & Lifestyle Brands, shared, “The creation of the Vignette Collection brand has allowed us to grow a family of properties that offers guests one-of-a-kind experiences at hotels filled with individuality and character. The brand is a demonstration of both future innovation and hotels filled with rich history.”

The growth of Crowne Plaza in Australia underscores IHG’s broader strategy to cater to the evolving needs of travelers in the Asia-Pacific region, blending modern amenities with local cultural nuances.

As IHG continues to break new ground, the future of hospitality looks promising with properties that not only celebrate individuality but also push the boundaries of guest experiences

The Serai Resorts Promotes Conservation-Led Safari Tourism in Karnataka

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 26, 2026

The Serai Resorts is reinforcing its commitment to conservation-focused safari tourism across its wildlife destinations in Bandipur and Kabini. As travellers increasingly seek more meaningful and responsible wildlife experiences, the hospitality brand is placing sustainability, ecological balance, and community involvement at the centre of its safari offerings.

Located within Karnataka’s ecologically important regions of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarahole National Park, The Serai Resorts has designed its safari experiences around regulated tourism practices, local expertise, and long-term coexistence with nature. Rather than encouraging high-volume tourism or staged wildlife encounters, the focus remains on creating experiences that respect natural habitats and follow established conservation protocols.

The safari model at The Serai Bandipur and The Serai Kabini places emphasis on smaller and quieter experiences that allow guests to better understand the ecosystem. All safari bookings are conducted through authorised government systems and follow Forest Department regulations related to visitor capacity, timings, and approved movement routes within reserve zones.

Guests are accompanied by experienced naturalists and authorised guides who provide deeper insights into wildlife behaviour, birdlife, habitats, and forest ecology. This approach shifts the experience from simply seeking animal sightings to understanding the larger rhythm of the natural environment. The resort also encourages guests to book safaris in advance to help manage visitor movement responsibly during peak seasons.

The Serai Resorts has also maintained a clear stance on ethical wildlife practices. In line with Forest Department regulations, the brand does not support night safaris in protected areas such as Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole National Park, recognising the need to avoid disturbing wildlife during crucial nocturnal activity periods. Instead of promoting guaranteed sightings, guests are introduced to the realities of nature and encouraged to appreciate wildlife responsibly.

Naturalists regularly guide visitors on safari etiquette, including maintaining silence, avoiding sudden movement, and respecting wildlife boundaries to ensure minimal disturbance to the ecosystem.

Community involvement remains a key part of the brand’s conservation philosophy. A large portion of the teams working at Bandipur and Kabini come from nearby regions and bring strong local knowledge of forest landscapes, biodiversity, and wildlife movement patterns. Several naturalists also contribute through their field expertise and close association with Forest Department initiatives and wildlife observation efforts.

Beyond employment opportunities, the company also supports community wellbeing through education assistance for employees' children, medical insurance support, and healthcare access where needed. The same philosophy of coexistence extends to wildlife movement near resort spaces, where a non-interventionist approach is followed, allowing animals to move naturally without disruption.

The brand is also expanding nature engagement beyond traditional jeep safaris. Guests can participate in guided nature walks and seasonal boat safaris, creating opportunities to experience wildlife and biodiversity from different perspectives. At The Serai Kabini, boat safaris across the Kabini backwaters provide changing wildlife and birdwatching experiences throughout the year, while nature walks offer a slower and more immersive connection with the environment.

As part of its wider conservation efforts, The Serai Resorts also documents wildlife and bird sightings during safari experiences and shares relevant observations with forest authorities as supporting ecosystem inputs. Through its blend of regulated safari experiences, local participation, and conservation-focused practices, the brand continues to promote a more sustainable future for wildlife tourism in India.

NILE Hospitality to Launch Rajkot’s First International Branded Hotel with Radisson Hotel Group

By Author

Published on May 25, 2026

NILE Hospitality has announced the upcoming opening of Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Rajkot, marking a significant milestone in Rajkot’s hospitality landscape as the city’s first internationally branded hotel.

The launch further strengthens NILE Hospitality’s growing portfolio of internationally managed properties while reinforcing its long-term strategic collaboration with Radisson Hotel Group. The upcoming property represents the seventh operational partnership between the two organisations and is expected to be the first among several Park Inn & Suites developments planned across emerging Indian markets.

Located in one of Gujarat’s fastest-growing commercial hubs, the hotel will feature 55 contemporary rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, and modern banquet facilities spread across approximately 2,500 sq. ft., catering to business meetings, social gatherings, and events.

The property will operate as an exclusively vegetarian hotel, reflecting regional culinary preferences and evolving traveller expectations in the Gujarat market.

The opening is expected to significantly elevate Rajkot’s hospitality ecosystem by introducing globally benchmarked service standards to a city witnessing strong industrial, commercial, and infrastructure-driven growth. Rajkot continues to emerge as a key business centre in Gujarat with thriving engineering, automobile, manufacturing, and SME sectors, creating increasing demand for professionally managed branded hospitality offerings.

Speaking on the development, Vikram Singh Chauhan said, “The hospitality landscape in Rajkot continues to undergo significance in line with the long-term development of its diverse economy and potential. Introducing Rajkot’s first international branded hotel, along with NILE’s long-established presence in Gujarat and Radisson’s world-class distribution network, will put us in a great position to contribute to the ongoing growth and diversification of the city’s hospitality sector.”

He further added that the collaboration with Devdwarika LLP as promoters reinforces the company’s commitment towards offering premium accommodation experiences for both leisure and business travellers seeking globally recognised hospitality standards.

The project highlights the growing importance of emerging urban markets within India’s hospitality expansion story, with branded hotel operators increasingly targeting high-growth commercial cities beyond major metros.

Ramee Group of Hotels Expands East India Footprint with Upcoming Hotel in Gaya

By Hariharan U

Published on May 25, 2026

Ramee Group of Hotels has announced its upcoming hospitality project in Gaya, further strengthening the group’s growing presence across East India. The expansion aligns with the company’s broader strategy of entering high-potential destinations driven by spiritual tourism, leisure travel, and business demand.

Recognised as one of India’s most significant pilgrimage destinations, Gaya continues to attract strong domestic and international footfall, supported by improving tourism infrastructure and enhanced connectivity. The city’s growing hospitality demand has made it an important market for hotel brands looking to expand into emerging travel hubs.

The upcoming property is being designed to offer a blend of comfort, convenience, and contemporary hospitality experiences. The hotel will feature well-appointed guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, banquet facilities, and an open-to-sky jacuzzi experience aimed at both leisure and spiritual travellers.

The property is also expected to position itself as a preferred venue for weddings, conferences, corporate events, and social gatherings with nearly 4,000 sq. ft. of dedicated banquet space.

Speaking on the expansion, Saurabh Gahoi said, “East India remains a key focus market in the company’s expansion plans, with Gaya emerging as a strategic hospitality destination due to its religious importance, growing tourism landscape, and improving infrastructure. The property aims to offer a seamless and guest-centric experience for both pilgrimage and business travellers.”

He further highlighted that increasing tourism activity and rising demand for quality accommodation continue to strengthen Gaya’s position as a promising growth market for the hospitality sector.

The launch marks another step in Ramee Group’s ongoing India expansion strategy as the company continues to build a diversified hospitality portfolio across business, leisure, and pilgrimage-led destinations. The group remains focused on delivering thoughtfully designed hospitality experiences backed by service excellence and guest comfort.

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Crowne Plaza Expands in Australia with New Openings in Adelaide and Sydney

Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes

Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport

A Glimpse into the Future

Industry Insights

Most Read In News

The Serai Resorts Promotes Conservation-Led Safari Tourism in Karnataka

Most Read In News

NILE Hospitality to Launch Rajkot’s First International Branded Hotel with Radisson Hotel Group

Most Read In News

Ramee Group of Hotels Expands East India Footprint with Upcoming Hotel in Gaya

Most Read In News