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.


City Centre-II Launches in Dwarka With Cinépolis, McDonald's, Starbucks and a Clear Vision for Neighbourhood Retail

City Centre-II Launches in Dwarka With Cinépolis, McDonald's, Starbucks and a Clear Vision for Neighbourhood Retail

By Hariharan U

Published on March 22, 2026

West Delhi's retail and entertainment landscape just got a meaningful addition. Pratham Group, a joint venture of Unity Group, HL Group, and RP Group, has officially launched City Centre-II in Sector 12, Dwarka, inaugurating the project with a special screening of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. It's a fitting opener for a destination that has entertainment at its core.

Designed as a neighbourhood-centric development, City Centre-II has been built around the everyday needs and lifestyle aspirations of Dwarka's growing residential community. The focus isn't on scale for its own sake but on relevance, proximity, and the kind of consistent daily engagement that makes a retail destination genuinely useful rather than just occasionally visited.

The centrepiece of the launch is Dwarka's first Cinépolis multiplex, featuring five state-of-the-art auditoriums with a combined seating capacity of over 750. For a micro-market that has long lacked organised entertainment infrastructure, this is a significant addition that positions City Centre-II as the primary leisure destination for the catchment.

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The F&B mix reinforces that community-first intent. McDonald's, Starbucks, Café Delhi Heights, The Sanook Kitchen, Brick and Brew, Berco's, Scoop Wonder, and Tealive are all part of the lineup. McDonald's and Third Wave Coffee have already commenced operations, with the remaining outlets set to open in phases over the coming months.

Harsh Vardhan Bansal, Co-Founder of Unity Group and Vegas Mall, explained the thinking behind the project. "Neighbourhood retail today is no longer about scale; it's about relevance, accessibility, and everyday engagement. With City Centre-II, our focus is to create a destination that seamlessly integrates into the lifestyle of Dwarka's residents. The introduction of organised entertainment through Cinépolis India, along with a thoughtfully curated F&B mix, reflects a clear shift towards experience-led consumption within local catchments. We believe the future of retail lies in such hyperlocal ecosystems that combine convenience with quality, creating spaces that people don't just visit occasionally, but engage with consistently."

For Dwarka's residents, City Centre-II fills a gap that has been felt for a while. A proper multiplex, recognisable food brands, and a thoughtfully put-together destination within the neighbourhood is exactly the kind of infrastructure a growing residential micro-market needs.


Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Unveils GDV 2.0 at Gadda Da Vida

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Unveils GDV 2.0 at Gadda Da Vida

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 22, 2026

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has introduced GDV 2.0 at its popular beachfront venue, Gadda Da Vida, bringing in a refreshed menu and a renewed dining experience. Set along Juhu Beach, the space now offers a stronger coastal focus, blending seafood-led dishes with thoughtfully paired cocktails, all against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea.

GDV 2.0 goes beyond a simple menu update. It brings a more refined approach to both food and drinks, while keeping the lively and social vibe that Gadda Da Vida is known for. The setting, especially during sunset, continues to draw guests looking for a relaxed yet vibrant sundowner experience.

The menu now highlights a range of seafood dishes, including Lobster Tail with Mustard Butter, Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter, Caribbean Blackened Snapper with Plantain Purée, and Miso Glazed Seabass. Other additions such as Charcoal-Grilled Prawns in Jerk Marinade and Fish Cafreal with Smoked Potato Mash reflect a mix of bold flavours and fresh ingredients, presented in a more elevated style.

Alongside these, the menu introduces shareable plates designed for group dining. Options like Fennel-Smoked Fried Prawns, Jerk Chicken Skewers, and Crispy Calamari Rings sit alongside vegetarian dishes such as Malvani Soy ‘Tacos’ and Truffle Mushroom Xacuti Tartlets, offering variety for different preferences.

The dining experience is rounded off with desserts that carry forward the tropical theme. Guests can choose from Tropical Fruit Pavlova, Coconut Mango Panna Cotta, and Espresso Tiramisu, adding a sweet finish to the coastal-inspired menu.

A key highlight of GDV 2.0 is its curated cocktail pairing. Signature drinks such as Angel’s Delight, Synapse Sour, Temple Smoke, Gadda's Secret and Plumnori are crafted to complement the food, with layered flavours and balanced profiles enhancing the overall experience.

With contemporary plating and an emphasis on mixology presentation, the venue also adds a visual element to dining, making it more engaging for guests. The overall setting now feels more energetic, turning a simple meal into a complete sensory experience.

With this update, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to strengthen its position as a leading beachfront destination in the city. By bringing together well-curated cuisine, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere, Gadda Da Vida evolves into a space that goes beyond dining to offer a memorable sundowner experience.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach said, “With GDV 2.0, our vision was to go beyond a menu refresh and reimagine the entire beachfront experience at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Gadda Da Vida has always been synonymous with sundowners, and this change allows us to align the culinary narrative more closely with our seaside setting. With this menu revamp, we aim to elevate the value proposition of our F&B portfolio while reinforcing our standing as one of Mumbai’s most dynamic beachfront hospitality destinations.”


Ekta Nagar Is Quietly Becoming One of India's Most Interesting Travel Destinations - Here's Why

Ekta Nagar Is Quietly Becoming One of India's Most Interesting Travel Destinations - Here's Why

By Hariharan U

Published on March 21, 2026

Most people know Ekta Nagar as the home of the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue. But the destination is becoming considerably more than that single landmark, and travellers who make the trip are discovering a place that genuinely rewards spending more than an afternoon there.

Since their launch during Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, IHCL's Vivanta and Ginger properties in Ekta Nagar have been welcoming a growing number of travellers drawn by the region's unique combination of cultural significance, natural beauty, and modern hospitality. Located just three kilometres from the Statue of Unity, both properties are well-positioned as bases for exploring everything the destination has to offer.

The experiences around Ekta Nagar are more varied than most first-time visitors expect. The Narmada Aarti at the Narmada Ghats is a genuinely moving experience, the kind that stays with you in the way that the best travel moments do. Aarogya Van offers a wellness-focused nature experience, while the Miyawaki Forest brings a different kind of green immersion to the destination. The Maze Garden and Glow Garden add leisure and visual appeal to a destination that already has plenty of substance.

At Vivanta Ekta Nagar, one of the standout dining experiences is the Ekta Thali, a thoughtfully curated spread that celebrates India's culinary diversity by bringing together flavours from across the country in a single meal. It's the kind of offering that reflects the broader spirit of the destination itself: unity through variety.

Vivanta Ekta Nagar brings 127 rooms and suites to the destination alongside wellness and spa facilities, versatile dining options, and curated local excursions that help guests make the most of their time in the region.

Ginger Ekta Nagar offers 151 lean-luxe rooms with the Qmin restaurant serving a mix of global and local cuisine, fitness facilities, and modern meeting spaces for those combining leisure with work.

Together, the two properties give travellers flexible options depending on what kind of stay they're looking for, whether that's a more indulgent, experience-rich visit through Vivanta or a practical, well-designed stay through Ginger.

Ekta Nagar is still building its tourism story, but the foundations are strong. Cultural depth, natural attractions, good hospitality, and a location anchored by one of the world's most visited landmarks make it a destination that deserves more attention than it currently receives. For travellers looking for something beyond the obvious on their next Indian trip, this is one worth putting on the list

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