Fern Hotels & Resorts Unveils SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel in Jaisalmer

Fern Hotels & Resorts Unveils SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel in Jaisalmer

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 22, 2024

Fern Hotels & Resorts, a leading name in eco-friendly luxury hospitality, has expanded its presence in Rajasthan with the opening of SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel in Jaisalmer. This new addition marks the 16th property under the Fern banner in Rajasthan, reinforcing the brand's commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences in key tourist destinations.

Located just a 10-minute drive from the historic Jaisalmer Fort, SKK The Fern offers 104 elegantly designed rooms, catering to the sophisticated needs of modern travelers. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and multiple lawns, making it a perfect venue for dream weddings and grand social events.

Suhail Kannampilly, managing director of The Fern Hotels & Resorts, expressed his enthusiasm about the launch: "We are thrilled to introduce SKK The Fern in Jaisalmer, a city renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture. This hotel is designed to offer a royal experience, blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary facilities."

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The hotel’s architecture features a beautiful central courtyard that enhances the regal ambiance, ideal for guests seeking a blend of luxury and cultural charm. The on-site restaurant provides exquisite dining options, complementing the grandeur of the hotel setting.

Shashi Kant Khetan, managing director of SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel, Jaisalmer, highlighted the partnership's significance: "Our collaboration with The Fern Hotels & Resorts is rooted in a shared vision of delivering outstanding hospitality experiences. We are proud to be part of this prestigious network and excited to set new benchmarks in luxury travel in Rajasthan."

Janak Singh, partner at SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel, added, "This partnership is just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with The Fern Hotels & Resorts. We look forward to welcoming guests and providing them with unforgettable experiences that celebrate the essence of Jaisalmer."

SKK The Fern is set to become a preferred choice for travelers looking for an immersive stay in one of India’s most enchanting cities. With its strategic location, luxurious amenities, and commitment to sustainability, the hotel promises to offer a unique and memorable stay for all its guests.


The Residency Group of Hotels Crowned Overall Champions at SICA Culinary Competition

The Residency Group of Hotels Crowned Overall Champions at  SICA Culinary Competition

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 6, 2025

The Residency Group of Hotels has emerged as the Overall Champion, Best Hotel Team at the prestigious South India Chef’s Association (SICA) culinary competition held at Chennai Trade Centre, marking a momentous achievement in the region's most esteemed culinary event.

Competing across 22 diverse categories, team Residency (both culinary and service) showcased exceptional skill and creativity, securing a remarkable 8 Gold, 21 Silver and 30 Bronze medals. Categories ranged from Plated Appetizers, Regional Cuisine, Wedding Cakes, and Plated Desserts to Petit Fours, Innovative Biryani, Dress a Cake, Three-Course Set Dinner, Cocktails and Mocktails, Artistic Pastry Showpieces, and Butter or Margarine Carvings.

This is Asia’s biggest culinary competition spreading over 3 days and this time the participation response has been overwhelming with more than 3200 chefs including culinary students from 6 different countries participated out of which a total of 55 talented chefs represented The Residency Group, making it one of the largest participating hotel teams in the competition. The jury panel comprised of 22 judges invited from 9 countries.

This outstanding success is a testament to the leadership and mentorship of Chef Manoj and Chef John Milton, who spearheaded the team’s month-long preparation. Their hands-on training, deep expertise, and unwavering dedication played a crucial role in honing the participants’ skills, refining their techniques, and instilling the confidence needed to excel under pressure.

“This achievement is a reflection of the passion, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines our culinary team,” said Ajeeth Janardhanan - Culinary Director at The Residency Group of Hotels. “From the first day of training to the final presentation at the competition, our chefs demonstrated not only technical brilliance but also creativity and teamwork. Winning the Overall Champion title at SICA is a proud moment for us, and a testament to the high standards we uphold across our kitchens.”

This landmark achievement further cements The Residency Group of Hotels as a leading force in South India’s hospitality and in culinary landscape.

About Residency Group:

Presenting world-class boutique hotels in South India, our hotels exude the cultural ethos of the land. Living up to its moniker, The Residency hotels in India offers unparallel and phenomenal spaces for a homely living experience. From elegant cities like Chennai and Coimbatore to charming towns like Karur, Puducherry and Rameswaram, The Residency promises beautifully curated experiences for its discerning guests.


Hyatt Signs The Landmark Kanpur as India’s Second JdV by Hyatt Hotel

Hyatt Signs The Landmark Kanpur as India’s Second JdV by Hyatt Hotel

By Hariharan U

Published on October 3, 2025

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the signing of The Landmark Kanpur, which will soon join the JdV by Hyatt portfolio, becoming India’s second hotel under this lifestyle brand. The property, owned by Som Datt Landmark Hotels and Recreations Private Limited, is set to open in 2026.

Located in one of Kanpur’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, the hotel is being thoughtfully restored to reflect the JdV by Hyatt ethos while building on The Landmark’s rich legacy in the city. Once open, it will feature 170 guest rooms, a spa, four food and beverage outlets, and expansive event spaces, including a 7,200 sq. ft. lawn on the 21st floor, designed to serve both corporate travellers and social gatherings.

The JdV by Hyatt brand short for joie de vivre is known for its vibrant, independent hotels that capture the spirit of their neighbourhoods while offering heartfelt, joy-driven hospitality. With this signing, Hyatt continues to expand its presence in India’s fast-growing lifestyle and experience-driven hotel segment.

Speaking on the development, Dhruva Rathore, Vice President, Real Estate & Development for India & South West Asia, Hyatt, said, “We're thrilled to welcome The Landmark Kanpur to the JdV by Hyatt family. This association reflects our commitment to collaborating with exceptional local operators to deliver unique guest experiences in promising markets. Building on The Landmark's esteemed legacy in Kanpur, we're excited to take this property to new heights.”

Echoing the sentiment, Vikas Malhotra, Managing Director, Som Datt Landmark Hotels and Recreations Pvt. Ltd., added, “As Kanpur’s first and only five-star hotel, The Landmark has long been a pioneer in the city’s hospitality landscape. Collaborating with Hyatt and joining the JdV by Hyatt brand marks an exciting new chapter – one that brings global standards of service while retaining our deep local roots. We look forward to welcoming guests to an enhanced, reimagined experience.”

This signing underscores Hyatt’s strategy to strengthen its lifestyle portfolio in India, offering travellers distinctive stays that combine global quality with strong local character.


Sterling Opens Rampath Ayodhya Resort, Blending Devotion with Comfort

Sterling Opens Rampath Ayodhya Resort, Blending Devotion with Comfort

By Hariharan U

Published on October 3, 2025

Sterling Holiday Resorts has expanded its footprint into Uttar Pradesh with the launch of Sterling Rampath Ayodhya, its 67th property and 57th destination. Located just steps away from the ceremonial Ram Path, the hotel offers pilgrims, families, and culture-seekers a perfect retreat while visiting the Ram Mandir.

With this opening, Sterling marks its 11th spiritual location, reinforcing the brand’s vision of offering journeys that balance devotion with modern comfort. The move comes at a time when Ayodhya is emerging as one of India’s most significant spiritual destinations, attracting a rising wave of travellers seeking cultural immersion.

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The boutique hotel features 35 thoughtfully designed rooms, across Cocoon Double, Deluxe, and Classic categories, crafted to provide calm and comfort after temple visits. Dining is led by The Divine, a pure-veg restaurant serving sattvic-inspired meals, with special Jain options available on request reflecting the ethos of Ayodhya itself.

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Speaking about the launch, Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, said, “Ayodhya is at the heart of India’s spiritual and cultural renaissance. Sterling Rampath Ayodhya is more than a hotel — it is a gateway to devotion and discovery, serving guests who arrive with faith, families, and a sense of cultural curiosity.”

Adding to this, Rishi Uppal, Director, Kalyan KK Hotels India Pvt Ltd., shared, “Ayodhya is emerging as one of India’s most important spiritual destinations. Our vision was to create a property that not only serves pilgrims with comfort and care but also honours the cultural fabric of the city. In Sterling, we found a partner who shares this vision.”

Sterling’s spiritual portfolio has been growing steadily, with recent openings in Guruvayur, Vellore, and Rudraprayag. The addition of Ayodhya strengthens the company’s mission to bring together tradition, devotion, and hospitality across sacred destinations in India.

About Sterling Holiday Resorts Ltd.

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited is among India’s leading hospitality brands, with 64 resorts, hotels, and retreats across 55 unique destinations, offering over 3,400 rooms. Its properties cover hills, beaches, jungles, pilgrimage sites, heritage towns, and drive-to locations. The company caters to leisure travellers, MICE, weddings, and group events. Sterling is a 100% independently managed subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., part of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

For bookings and more information, visit www.sterlingholidays.com

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