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

Lords Hotels Launches Lords Inn Katra Near Vaishno Devi Shrine

By Hariharan U

Published on May 30, 2026

Lords Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of Lords Inn Katra, further strengthening the group’s footprint in India’s growing spiritual tourism market.

Located close to the revered Vaishno Devi Shrine, the new hotel is positioned to cater to both pilgrims and leisure travellers visiting one of the country’s most significant religious destinations.

Situated in the heart of Katra, the property features 45 rooms along with modern amenities and hospitality services designed to provide guests with a comfortable and convenient stay experience while reflecting the spiritual character of the destination.

According to the company, Katra continues to attract millions of visitors every year due to its religious importance and strong tourism connectivity, making it a key market for hospitality expansion.

Speaking about the launch, Pushpendra Bansal said the new property strengthens the brand’s regional presence while offering travellers a stay experience backed by the company’s hospitality standards and service approach.

Vikas Suri added that spiritual tourism in India continues to witness steady growth, with Katra remaining one of the country’s most important pilgrimage destinations. He noted that the launch aligns with the company’s broader strategy of expanding into high-potential spiritual and leisure markets.

Meanwhile, Kumar Roushan highlighted the group’s continued focus on strengthening its presence across Jammu & Kashmir while addressing the increasing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure in the region.

The hotel will also feature dining and guest facilities designed to offer convenience and relaxation for travellers during their visit.

With the addition of Lords Inn Katra, Lords Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its presence across India’s prominent pilgrimage and tourism destinations.

has announced the launch of Lords Inn Katra, further strengthening the group’s footprint in India’s growing spiritual tourism market.

Located close to the revered Vaishno Devi Shrine, the new hotel is positioned to cater to both pilgrims and leisure travellers visiting one of the country’s most significant religious destinations.

According to the company, Katra continues to attract millions of visitors every year due to its religious importance and strong tourism connectivity, making it a key market for hospitality expansion.

Speaking about the launch, Pushpendra Bansal said the new property strengthens the brand’s regional presence while offering travellers a stay experience backed by the company’s hospitality standards and service approach.

Vikas Suri added that spiritual tourism in India continues to witness steady growth, with Katra remaining one of the country’s most important pilgrimage destinations. He noted that the launch aligns with the company’s broader strategy of expanding into high-potential spiritual and leisure markets.

Meanwhile, Kumar Roushan highlighted the group’s continued focus on strengthening its presence across Jammu & Kashmir while addressing the increasing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure in the region.

The hotel will also feature dining and guest facilities designed to offer convenience and relaxation for travellers during their visit.

With the addition of Lords Inn Katra, Lords Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its presence across India’s prominent pilgrimage and tourism destinations.

Radisson Bengaluru City Center Hosts 5th Edition of GReaT Conversations with KEMA

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 27, 2026

Radisson Bengaluru City Center recently hosted the 5th edition of GReaT Conversations in partnership with the Karnataka Event Management Association (KEMA), bringing together experts from the events, weddings, airline, and media sectors for an engaging round table discussion.

Held around the theme of Green Meetings, the session focused on how sustainability is increasingly shaping the future of MICE, corporate events, and social celebrations. As businesses and consumers continue looking for more responsible and meaningful experiences, discussions centred on ways hotels and event partners can work together to create gatherings that are impactful while remaining environmentally conscious.

The event also highlighted Bengaluru’s growing position as one of South India’s key markets for MICE, weddings, and lifestyle-focused hospitality experiences. Industry leaders shared thoughts on stronger collaboration between hotels and planners to ensure events are managed responsibly while continuing to deliver enhanced guest experiences.

The discussion was moderated by Jit Bose, Vice President - Commercial, and attended by Puneet Dutta COO and Anu Shinoj from GRT Hotels & Resorts. Karnataka Event Management Association was represented by Tony Stephen President and Srikant Kanoi Executive Vice President, along with key members of the Executive Committee, showcasing the growing partnership between the hospitality and events industries.

The evening itself reflected the event’s sustainability focus. Through GRT Hotels & Resorts’ GReaT Green Meetings initiative, the experience featured environmentally responsible event arrangements, locally sourced culinary offerings, and mindful operational practices. Guests later attended a networking dinner at the hotel’s terrace venue overlooking Ulsoor Lake, offering panoramic views of Bengaluru’s skyline.

Speaking on the initiative, Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said:

"We thank the Executive Committee of the Karnataka Event Management Association for collaborating with us on another edition of GReaT Conversations and bringing together industry thought leaders to discuss the trends and future of sustainable events. As the MICE and wedding segments continue to grow, it is important for hotels and event partners to create experiences that are not only memorable, but also mindful of the environment and the communities we serve."

Conducted as an interactive round table discussion, the event encouraged an open exchange of ideas among senior stakeholders from the events and wedding industry, airlines, and media sectors. Conversations covered emerging MICE trends, changing wedding expectations, experiential hospitality, sustainability practices, and the future of responsible events in India.

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.

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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

Lords Hotels Launches Lords Inn Katra Near Vaishno Devi Shrine

Most Read In News

Radisson Bengaluru City Center Hosts 5th Edition of GReaT Conversations with KEMA

Most Read In News

The Serai Resorts Promotes Conservation-Led Safari Tourism in Karnataka

Most Read In News