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.


Christmas Sparkles at Sheraton Hyderabad with Eco Tree and 12 Foot Yuletide Log

Christmas Sparkles at Sheraton Hyderabad with Eco Tree and 12 Foot Yuletide Log

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 17, 2025

The festive season arrived at Sheraton Hyderabad with warmth, sparkle and a thoughtful message, as the hotel hosted a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony that beautifully blended celebration with sustainability. The lobby was transformed into a charming Christmas setting, complete with reindeers, sledges and a whimsical gingerbread house, setting the tone for an evening filled with joy and togetherness.

Moving away from traditional Christmas trees, the highlight of the evening was a striking upcycled installation crafted entirely from the hotel’s scrap metal and repurposed linen. This sustainable creation stood as a symbol of mindful celebration and formed the perfect backdrop for a lively gathering of in house guests, local patrons and excited children.

The festive spirit was elevated by live music and classic Christmas carols, accompanied by a children’s choir whose cheerful voices filled the space with holiday magic. As the tree lit up, the culinary team added flavour to the celebration with a spread of winter favourites including traditional Stollen, ginger cookies, almond cinnamon cakes, along with comforting servings of mulled wine and eggnog.

The centre of attention, however, was the impressive 12 foot Yuletide log cake. Crafted with dedication, the pastry team spent 72 continuous hours creating this grand dessert, which stood as a delicious expression of the hotel’s festive spirit and attention to detail.

Subhankar Bose, General Manager of Sheraton Hyderabad, shared his thoughts on the celebration, saying, “Our tree, crafted from scrap materials, proves that elegance and sustainability can coexist beautifully. It was truly heartwarming to see our community come together to celebrate the season with a conscience.”

Adding to the excitement, Sheraton Hyderabad also revealed the theme for its upcoming New Year celebrations, titled ‘Ticket to London’, hinting at a British inspired festive experience for guests.

The event was curated by Sourav Pal Chowdhury, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, who ensured every element appealed to the senses. “From the aroma of fresh cinnamon to our massive 12-foot log cake, we wanted a complete sensory feast. My team spent 72 hours perfecting that cake, and seeing the guests’ delight made every moment worth it.”

With this celebration, Sheraton Hyderabad has officially ushered in the holiday season, showcasing how festive elegance can be paired seamlessly with sustainability and thoughtful experiences.


India’s First Military-Themed Luxury Glamping Resort Steps Into the Spotlight

India’s First Military-Themed Luxury Glamping Resort Steps Into the Spotlight

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 13, 2025

D.A.T.A Resort by Della, India’s first and only military-themed luxury glamping resort, is one of the most innovative concepts in the country’s hospitality landscape. Despite its exceptional offering, the resort has remained largely unspoken about for years. Tucked deep inside Lonavala’s natural beauty, the property redefines immersive travel with a rare blend of military-inspired adventure and five-star comfort. As travellers increasingly seek meaningful and experience-driven journeys, the unique story of this resort is now finding its well-deserved spotlight.

The experience begins with its 27 luxurious, 500 sq. ft. military-themed glamping tents overlooking the serene Shirota Lake. Each tent follows a design style inspired by military elements, while still offering premium comfort and elegance. One of the resort’s standout aspects is its training programmes led by ex-military commandos. These curated activities give guests the opportunity to experience discipline, resilience, teamwork, and patriotic energy in a structured and safe environment. Families, couples, and corporate groups use the space for transformational outbound programmes that blend adventure with reflection, making the resort a benchmark for experiential hospitality.

The reason such a revolutionary concept has remained under the radar lies in its intention and design. Its remote natural setting, limited inventory, and carefully selected guest base have contributed to its quiet presence. More importantly, the resort was never created for mass exposure; it was built as a purpose-driven, immersive destination for travellers seeking deeper experiences beyond mainstream tourism. Many guests describe it as a “hidden gem,” and its quiet success reflects the quality and impact of what it offers.

With experiential and story-focused travel becoming popular in India, the resort is now being highlighted for what it truly represents. Its authenticity, military-inspired programming, and pioneering design bring a new dimension to luxury hospitality. D.A.T.A Resort blends purpose with indulgence, adventure with introspection, and ensures guests leave with growth, connection, and perspective.

The resort is the brainchild of Jimmy Mistry, a renowned designer, hotelier, and social entrepreneur. His vision introduced India to a completely new hospitality format long before experiential stays and themed travel became mainstream. By combining rugged adventure, discipline, and strong storytelling with luxury experiences, D.A.T.A Resort created a category of its own. Even with its groundbreaking concept, it has intentionally stayed away from large-scale visibility, focusing instead on intimate and high-quality experiences for discerning guests.

For more information, Visit https://www.delladata.com/ .


Lemon Tree Hotels Expands Presence with New Properties in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Lemon Tree Hotels Expands Presence with New Properties in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

By Hariharan U

Published on December 12, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of two new properties, Lemon Tree Resort, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, and Lemon Tree Hotel, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. Both properties will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, and mark a strategic expansion in the South and Central Indian markets.

Lemon Tree Resort, Bapatla is located in the serene coastal town of Bapatla, renowned for the tranquil Suryalanka Beach. The resort features 90 rooms, a restaurant and bar, banquet and meeting facilities, a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre, offering guests a refreshing escape by the sea.

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Lemon Tree Hotel, Bhilai, situated in the industrial yet green city of Bhilai, home to the iconic Bhilai Steel Plant, blends urban convenience with calm surroundings. The hotel offers 72 keys, a restaurant, banquet and meeting spaces, swimming pool, and spa, catering to both business travellers and leisure guests seeking a value-driven experience.

Commenting on the expansion, Vilas Pawar, CEO – Managed & Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, "With these signings, we are pleased to extend our footprint to two unique locations. From thriving commercial hubs to serene, nature-led destinations, both states offer immense potential for quality hospitality. Andhra Pradesh already has six operational and three upcoming hotels, while this will be our first property in Chhattisgarh."

These new additions reaffirm Lemon Tree Hotels’ commitment to offering vibrant, contemporary hospitality experiences across India, combining comfort, convenience, and a warm guest-first ethos.

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