Experience Ultimate Relaxation at OBLU SELECT Sangeli in the Maldives

Experience Ultimate Relaxation at OBLU SELECT Sangeli in the Maldives

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 28, 2024

OBLU SELECT Sangeli, located in the northern Maldives, offers a luxurious escape for those seeking serenity and rejuvenation. This five-star resort is a contemporary oasis designed to provide guests with the ultimate Maldivian wellness experience. From the moment visitors arrive on the island, they are immersed in a world of relaxation, surrounded by the stunning beauty of a pristine aquamarine lagoon.

The resort offers a variety of accommodations, each designed to enhance the panoramic views of the surrounding azure waters. Guests can choose from Water Villas, which offer direct access to the lagoon and private sundecks, or the Honeymoon SELECT Ocean Villas, featuring a luxurious crescent infinity pool. For those who prefer to stay on the beach, the Beach Pool Suites, Two Bedroom Beach Suites, and Beach Villas provide a serene retreat with easy access to the beachfront.

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One of the highlights of a stay at OBLU SELECT Sangeli is the Serenity Plan, which ensures a hassle-free holiday experience. This comprehensive plan includes access to standalone beaches, water villas, and gourmet dining options. Guests can further enhance their stay with a visit to ELE|NA THE Spa, located on Sangeli’s One Banyan, an exclusive adults-only island. The spa offers a range of therapies designed to energize and harmonize the body, focusing on the four elements: Water, Earth, Wood, and Metal. Skilled therapists provide treatments that promise a tranquil escape, helping guests achieve a state of total vitality.

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In addition to spa treatments, wellness enthusiasts can take advantage of the resort's yoga pavilion, steam room, and a variety of tailored massage therapies, including the Jet Lag Cure and Intensive Muscle Release. The resort also offers bespoke skin, sun, and body treatments, ensuring guests leave feeling refreshed and revitalized.

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For those looking to balance relaxation with adventure, OBLU SELECT Sangeli offers a range of water sports, including kayaking, jet skiing, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Guests can unwind at The Rock, an exclusive sundowner cocktail bar, or explore exquisite dining hotspots. The resort also offers diving experiences, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and exploration.

OBLU SELECT Sangeli provides an unparalleled Maldivian retreat where wellness and luxury are seamlessly intertwined, offering guests an unforgettable tropical escape.


Marriott to Bring Westin to Ludhiana with Vardhman Amrante

Marriott to Bring Westin to Ludhiana with Vardhman Amrante

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 7, 2025

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Vardhman Amrante, an Oswal Group venture, to bring its premium wellness-focused Westin brand to Ludhiana. The Westin Ludhiana is slated to open in the last quarter of 2030, marking the brand’s debut in Punjab’s industrial and cultural hub.

Planned as part of a vibrant mixed-use development, the new hotel will feature 200 keys alongside retail outlets, a multiplex, and a gaming zone, adding fresh energy to Ludhiana’s growing urban landscape.

Highlighting Marriott’s strategic expansion into high-growth markets, Ranju Alex, regional vice president – South Asia, Marriott International, shared, “Through this collaboration, we aim to redefine guest service while unlocking Ludhiana’s potential. The Westin Ludhiana will empower guests to be the best version of themselves, maintaining their well-being even as they travel.”

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Echoing the excitement, Adish Oswal, chairman of Oswal Group, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Marriott International to bring the acclaimed Westin brand to Ludhiana. This development is set to become a landmark, offering a wellness-driven luxury experience that matches the city’s growing stature as a regional powerhouse.”

The Westin Ludhiana promises a robust mix of experiences — from multiple dining venues and a chic Lobby Bar to the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, Heavenly Spa by Westin, and an outdoor pool. Business and leisure travellers alike will benefit from the expansive banqueting spaces, lush outdoor lawns, and an exclusive Executive Club Lounge.

With its focus on holistic wellness, the upcoming hotel underscores Marriott’s continued commitment to cater to evolving traveller needs and further strengthen its footprint across India.


Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on its asset-light strategy with a major move—selling Playa Hotels’ real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. This follows Hyatt’s acquisition of Playa in February for $2.6 billion, including debt. Playa operates 24 luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

The sale covers 15 of Playa’s resort assets, effectively reducing Hyatt’s net purchase price for the remaining Playa business to around $555 million. The deal, still pending regulatory nods in Mexico, is expected to close before the end of 2025.

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As part of the arrangement, Hyatt and Tortuga will enter into 50-year agreements for these properties, allowing Hyatt to continue managing the resorts. Thirteen of the resorts will operate under Hyatt’s standard management fee structures, with two under separate agreements.

Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian called the move transformational, noting it turns the Playa acquisition into a fully asset-light transaction. "It also ramps up our fee-based earnings," he added. Hyatt now anticipates its asset-light earnings mix could hit at least 90% by 2027.

Analysts view the swift real estate divestment positively, seeing it as a smart way for Hyatt to stay nimble while bolstering returns. Proceeds from this deal will primarily go toward repaying loans taken to finance the Playa buyout.


Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a flagship Accor property, has proudly announced that it has been awarded the Green Key Certification, a globally recognised eco-label that underscores excellence in sustainable tourism and hospitality.

Granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—one of the world’s leading environmental education organisations and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)—the certification marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising guest comfort or luxury.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, we believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a way of life. Being Green Key certified reinforces our commitment to offering eco-conscious experiences that align with global environmental standards.”

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The hotel has rolled out various impactful initiatives, from using clean, renewable energy and implementing robust waste management practices to driving water conservation, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainably sourcing products. These measures are designed to benefit not only the environment but also the local community.

As travel trends increasingly lean towards conscious luxury and responsible tourism, this certification positions Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach as a leader in sustainable hospitality in India.

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