First Hospitality Expands with New Hotels and Restaurants

First Hospitality Expands with New Hotels and Restaurants

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 28, 2024

First Hospitality, a leading hotel management and development company, has recently expanded its portfolio by adding three new lifestyle hotels and seven restaurants. This move brings their total to over 25 lifestyle properties within a broader collection of 70 hotels. Notably, this expansion includes their first international property.

The new hotels under First Hospitality's management include the upcoming Hotel Ardent in Dayton, Ohio, the Lively Hotel in Oklahoma City, and the recently opened Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu in Kentucky. These additions are part of First Hospitality's strategic plan to enhance its presence in key markets.

Opened on May 1, 2024, the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu features 130 rooms. This vibrant hotel is designed to reflect the lively NuLu neighborhood, providing stylish spaces for social gatherings and events. The hotel offers two dining options: the Moonsong Bar + Café on the first floor and the High Stakes Grill, a rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining and a spectacular view of the skyline. This property embodies the dynamic spirit of the NuLu area, making it a destination for both locals and travelers.

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Scheduled to open in the fall of 2024, Hotel Ardent in Dayton will be part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection. This 118-room boutique hotel will feature Bistecca, a Tuscan steakhouse serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu inspired by Italian cuisine. The addition of this property marks a significant step in First Hospitality's expansion into new markets, particularly within the boutique hotel segment.

The Lively Hotel in Oklahoma City is set to open in late August 2024. This 132-key boutique hotel is a critical part of the OAK mixed-use community. As First Hospitality’s first property in Oklahoma, it will also be the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in the state. The hotel will include the Cloud Puncher restaurant, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with poolside service. The development of this property is a collaboration with Veritas Development and Gatehouse Capital, highlighting First Hospitality's ability to form strategic partnerships.

Alongside its hotel expansions, First Hospitality has also assumed management of seven new restaurants, increasing its portfolio to over 30 dining establishments. Among these is the internationally anticipated Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island, set to open this fall. Modeled after the original Carnivale in Chicago, this venue will feature 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces, serving pan-Latin cuisine and craft cocktails. This marks First Hospitality’s first international restaurant venture, promising to bring vibrant energy to Paradise Island.

Other recent additions include Coa at The Drake Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Illinois, which opened on March 25, and Assembly American Brasserie in downtown Toledo, Ohio, which opened in late January. These restaurants highlight First Hospitality's commitment to offering diverse and high-quality dining experiences.

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David Duncan, CEO of First Hospitality, expressed excitement about the company’s growth, particularly in new markets. “With the expert skill set of our teams and proprietary technology and operating platform, First Hospitality is well positioned to continue to expand in lifestyle accommodations and restaurants as we approach our 40-year company milestone,” Duncan stated. He also highlighted the significance of their first international venture with Carnivale Bahamas, which aims to bring a new level of energy to Paradise Island.

First Hospitality's recent expansions reflect its strategic focus on enhancing its lifestyle offerings and entering new markets, ensuring continued growth and innovation in the hospitality industry. For more information about their properties and upcoming openings, visit First Hospitality's website.


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

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.

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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.


InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping Unveils Curated July Experiences Across Dining, Wellness and Lifestyle

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping Unveils Curated July Experiences Across Dining, Wellness and Lifestyle

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping has unveiled a collection of wellness, culinary and lifestyle experiences for July, inviting guests to embrace the slower pace of the season through thoughtfully curated offerings inspired by Northern Thailand's heritage and global flavours.

At the heart of the wellness programme is the Rainy Season Wellness Journey at The ii Spa. Designed to reflect Lanna's traditional healing practices, the experience combines a 60-minute Traditional Thai Massage with a 30-minute herbal compress treatment to ease muscle tension, improve circulation and promote deep relaxation.

Dining takes centre stage at the hotel's signature HONG Chinese Restaurant, where guests can enjoy A Taste of China, a four-course set lunch celebrating Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary touch. The menu features double-boiled chicken soup with ginseng, steamed scallop with egg white custard, wok-seared Wagyu beef, and chilled almond tofu with osmanthus syrup and goji berries.

At KAM Lobby Lounge, guests can indulge in a dragon fruit-inspired afternoon tea, blending tropical flavours with classic French pâtisserie in a setting enriched by traditional Lanna art. Available through the end of August, the experience includes handcrafted desserts, savouries and beverages, with an option to pair the tea with a glass of Prosecco.

Families visiting The Gad Lanna can also take advantage of a seasonal dining promotion, where children aged 12 years and below receive a complimentary dish from the kids' menu for every THB 800++ spent by an accompanying adult. The offer is available for lunch and dinner until the end of August.

The rooftop HONG's Sky Bar continues to elevate the city's nightlife with a series of seasonal promotions. Every Thursday in July, Gin & Glow Ladies Night offers female guests a complimentary Bombay Gin & Tonic, while Sky Social features a two-for-one offer on selected cocktails and wines every weekday through September. Guests can also enjoy Bao After Dark, pairing signature bao buns with a selected beverage as part of a special evening menu.

With experiences spanning wellness, family dining, afternoon tea, rooftop cocktails and refined Chinese cuisine, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping offers guests a diverse selection of seasonal experiences designed to capture the spirit of summer while celebrating the hotel's signature hospitality


Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Redefines the Staycation Experience

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Redefines the Staycation Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 10, 2026

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE has introduced a reimagined staycation experience, offering guests a blend of luxury, wellness, culinary excellence, and personalised hospitality in the heart of the city. Built around the brand's Golden Rule of treating others as they would wish to be treated, the hotel aims to create meaningful experiences that go beyond a traditional stay.

Surrounded by Bengaluru's pleasant weather and lush greenery, the hotel offers an urban escape where guests can unwind without leaving the city. Every aspect of the stay has been thoughtfully designed to create a sense of comfort, relaxation, and belonging for individuals, couples, families, and even their pets.

Commenting on the experience, Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, said:

"A staycation at Four Seasons is never simply about stepping away from home. It is about being looked after in ways that stay with you long after you leave. We hold every detail to the highest standard, not because it is expected of us, but because our guests deserve nothing less. Whether you arrive from across the street or across the world, the experience should feel complete, considered, and unmistakably Four Seasons."

The staycation programme has been curated to suit different kinds of travellers. Families can enjoy outdoor spaces, movie nights with fresh popcorn, and interactive activities such as pizza-making and cupcake decorating for children. Couples and solo guests can take part in coffee appreciation workshops, wellness therapies, leisurely breakfasts in bed, or explore Bengaluru through curated local experiences.

The hotel's rooms and suites are designed to offer a seamless blend of comfort and technology. Featuring spacious interiors, smart room controls, motorised curtains, and views of the Bengaluru skyline, each room is complemented by Four Seasons' signature sleep experience with premium mattresses and plush pillows. Guests can also opt for customised magnesium-rich meals created to support relaxation and restful sleep.

For those looking to explore Bengaluru's vibrant food and beverage scene, the hotel offers a range of signature dining experiences. CUR8 serves global cuisine alongside a rotating art gallery, while Far & East presents Japanese, Chinese, and Thai specialities against panoramic city views.

The award-winning Copitas, located on the 21st floor, offers handcrafted cocktails, rare spirits, mixology masterclasses, and sweeping views of the city skyline. Wine enthusiasts can also visit The Wine Studio, where guided tastings, boutique Indian wines, artisanal cheese pairings, and rare vintages create an immersive wine experience.

Wellness remains at the heart of the staycation, with Infuse Spa offering therapies inspired by Bengaluru's natural surroundings and cultural heritage. Guests can also enjoy personalised fitness consultations, rejuvenating wellness treatments, or simply unwind by the resort-style outdoor pool.

By combining destination-inspired wellness, award-winning dining, curated experiences, art, and pet-friendly hospitality, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru continues to offer an urban retreat where guests can disconnect from the routine while staying in the heart of the city.

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