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

Encalm Hospitality Expands Airport Experience with New International Lounge at Hyderabad Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on July 11, 2026

Encalm Hospitality has announced the launch of its new International Lounge at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, further expanding its airport hospitality portfolio and reinforcing its focus on delivering premium travel experiences.

The new lounge has been designed to meet the evolving expectations of modern international travellers by integrating comfort, wellness, dining, and personalised hospitality within a thoughtfully curated environment. The launch marks another milestone in Encalm's strategy of building a comprehensive airport hospitality ecosystem across India's leading aviation hubs.

Designed as a space for relaxation before departure, the lounge features state-of-the-art sleeping pods, therapeutic spa treatments, private dining facilities for families and guests seeking privacy, and a well-stocked bar. The experience has been curated to transform pre-flight waiting time into a seamless journey of comfort and rejuvenation.

Food remains a central part of the experience, with interactive live culinary stations serving freshly prepared dishes that combine regional Indian flavours with contemporary international cuisine. The curated dining programme is complemented by a refined beverage selection, catering to a wide range of traveller preferences.

Commenting on the launch, Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer of Encalm, said the new lounge reflects the company's commitment to creating future-ready hospitality experiences driven by innovation, thoughtful design, and operational excellence. He added that Encalm aims to continue setting new benchmarks by delivering intuitive and differentiated experiences for global travellers.

Pooja Bhondekar, Business Head – Airport Hospitality, Encalm, said the expansion reflects the brand's mission of creating memorable experiences across every touchpoint of the passenger journey. She noted that every element of the lounge, from wellness facilities to curated dining and personalised service, has been carefully designed to offer warmth, comfort, and convenience.

With the addition of the Hyderabad International Lounge, Encalm continues to strengthen its integrated airport hospitality ecosystem, which includes premium lounges, meet-and-assist services, wellness offerings, in-flight catering, and curated food and beverage concepts across major Indian airports.

Taj Connemara Hosts Parvathy Thiruvothu for Chennai Debut of Screen Expresso

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 11, 2026

Taj Connemara, Chennai recently hosted the 15th edition of Screen Expresso, the popular conversation series by The Indian Express, marking the platform's first-ever event in Chennai. Held on June 30, the evening featured acclaimed actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, who engaged in an open conversation on cinema, gender equality, and staying true to one's values in the film industry.

The event was presented by AU Small Finance Bank, in association with Taj Hotels, with BMW KUN Exclusive as the Mobility Partner.

Known for her acclaimed performances across Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, Parvathy has built a reputation for choosing meaningful roles while also advocating for gender equality within the film industry. During the session, she shared her thoughts on speaking up, navigating challenges, and remaining committed to authenticity and artistic integrity throughout her career.

The discussion was moderated by Pooja Pillai, Senior Assistant Editor, The Indian Express, and drew a distinguished audience comprising leaders from the business, arts, media, entertainment, and hospitality sectors, making it one of Chennai's notable cultural gatherings.

Commenting on the occasion, Shilpa Rameja, General Manager, Taj Connemara, Chennai, said:

"It was a privilege for Taj Connemara to host the first-ever Chennai edition of Screen Expresso. At Taj, we have always believed that hospitality extends beyond creating memorable stays - it is about creating meaningful experiences and fostering conversations that inspire. Hosting an artist as accomplished and thought-provoking as Parvathy Thiruvothu made for an unforgettable evening. We are delighted to have partnered with The Indian Express to bring this celebrated platform to the city."

Guests were welcomed with an elegant high tea featuring a selection of regional delicacies and contemporary favourites. The menu included artisanal cookies, handcrafted tea cakes, open-faced canapés with roasted chicken and herb-infused mayonnaise, grilled seasonal vegetable sandwiches, cottage cheese and spinach turnovers, and a live station serving ragi paniyaram with gongura and cream cheese, accompanied by speciality teas, freshly brewed coffee, and refreshing beverages.

Following the conversation, attendees enjoyed a specially curated flying buffet featuring a mix of global and Indian flavours. The menu included honey chilli prawns, mutton galouti, Chettinad fried chicken, vegetable sushi, corn and jalapeño arancini, along with live stations serving dim sums, Thai curries, pastas, appams with stew, and dum biryanis. The evening concluded with desserts such as mango rasmalai, gulab jamun, vegan chia seed panna cotta, banana crème brûlée, and artisanal chocolates.

Through its association with Screen Expresso, Taj Connemara reinforced its commitment to creating spaces that celebrate meaningful conversations, creativity, and culture while continuing its legacy of blending hospitality with memorable experiences.

Zari Debuts Luxury Hospitality Brand with Launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

Zari has announced its entry into India's luxury hospitality landscape with the launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai, Rajasthan. The boutique property marks the debut of the new hospitality brand, which aims to create intimate, experience-led stays rooted in authentic local culture, thoughtful design and personalised hospitality.

Positioned as more than a traditional luxury hotel brand, Zari is built around the philosophy of offering meaningful travel experiences that celebrate destination, heritage and community. The company plans to expand its portfolio with several boutique luxury properties across India in the coming months.

Located in Rajasthan's renowned Leopard Country, Bijapur Lodge is an exclusive six-suite retreat set amidst Jawai's dramatic granite landscape. Spread across five acres of restored natural terrain, the property has been designed to offer guests privacy, tranquillity and immersive experiences while embracing sustainability and understated luxury.

One of the property's signature experiences is its private leopard safari, led by experienced naturalists who introduce guests to Jawai's unique ecosystem, where leopards have coexisted peacefully with the indigenous Rabari community for generations. The conservation-focused safari offers visitors an opportunity to experience one of India's most remarkable wildlife destinations while gaining insights into its ecological and cultural significance.

The culinary programme at Bijapur Lodge highlights Rajasthan's rich food heritage through its Curated Heritage Table, featuring consultant-designed menus prepared using hyper-local ingredients, seasonal produce and traditional recipes. Guests can enjoy regional specialities including Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri and wood-fired delicacies that celebrate the region's culinary traditions.

Beyond wildlife experiences, the lodge offers a range of curated activities including sunset sundowners overlooking Jawai's granite hills, guided Rabari village walks, birdwatching, boat excursions and sunrise yoga sessions amidst nature. Each experience has been designed to encourage deeper connections with the destination, its people and its cultural heritage.

Commenting on the launch, the management of Zari said the brand was created with the belief that true luxury is deeply personal and rooted in meaningful experiences, genuine hospitality and a strong sense of place. They added that Bijapur Lodge embodies this philosophy by offering guests an intimate connection with Jawai's wildlife, traditions and culture, while future Zari properties will continue to celebrate the unique identity of each destination.

The launch of Bijapur Lodge marks the beginning of Zari's vision to establish a portfolio of boutique luxury properties across India, focused on experiential travel, sustainability, cultural authenticity and personalised hospitality.

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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

Encalm Hospitality Expands Airport Experience with New International Lounge at Hyderabad Airport

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Taj Connemara Hosts Parvathy Thiruvothu for Chennai Debut of Screen Expresso

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Zari Debuts Luxury Hospitality Brand with Launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

Most Read In News