Fountain Mahabaleshwar - IHCL SeleQtions Welcomes Guests in Maharashtra

Fountain Mahabaleshwar - IHCL SeleQtions Welcomes Guests in Maharashtra

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 5, 2024

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), renowned for its prestigious chain of hotels, is delighted to announce the opening of its latest venture, Fountain Mahabaleshwar – IHCL SeleQtions. This serene sanctuary, located in Maharashtra’s popular hill station, Mahabaleshwar, is set amidst lush forests and offers panoramic views of the Koyna valley, appealing to travellers seeking a blend of adventure and tranquillity.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO of IHCL, expressed his enthusiasm for this new addition: "We are thrilled to introduce Fountain Mahabaleshwar as part of our SeleQtions portfolio, which is renowned for its unique and distinctive offerings. This new establishment is ideally situated to cater to the increasing demand for experiential travel, given its proximity to major cities like Mumbai and Pune."

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Hotel Features and Amenities

Fountain Mahabaleshwar spans over 11 acres and features 77 elegantly designed rooms. Each room offers a private balcony, presenting breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. The hotel’s architecture, inspired by the contemporary colonial design of the British era blended with Indian elements, features beams imported from Lancashire, United Kingdom. The name 'Fountain' is derived from the abundant water sources in the area, complementing the hotel’s tranquil ambiance.

Guests can dine at the all-day-diner, Saddleback, which offers a variety of multi-cuisine dishes and a spacious alfresco dining area. Dusk, the hotel bar, provides a perfect setting to unwind while enjoying spectacular sunsets. The hotel also boasts an 11,000 sq. ft expansive deck that offers unmatched valley views, ideal for personal reflection or social gatherings.

Leisure and Events

The resort is equipped with a range of facilities tailored for both relaxation and business needs. These include a tranquil spa, a state-of-the-art gym, an outdoor pool, and an indoor game zone for children. The spacious banquet hall and pre-function area are perfect for hosting corporate events, weddings, and other celebrations.

Esakkikumar Konar, General Manager of Fountain Mahabaleshwar, commented on the launch: "Fountain Mahabaleshwar is designed to offer a rejuvenating escape amidst nature. We are excited to welcome guests and provide them with exceptional service and a memorable stay."

Cultural and Natural Richness

Mahabaleshwar is not only known for its scenic beauty but also for its historical significance and strawberry farms, which produce 85% of India’s strawberries. The hotel’s location allows guests to explore these attractions comfortably.

With the addition of Fountain Mahabaleshwar, IHCL continues to expand its footprint, now boasting 34 hotels across Maharashtra. This new addition underscores IHCL’s commitment to enhancing its luxury portfolio and promoting regional tourism.

For bookings and more information about Fountain Mahabaleshwar – IHCL SeleQtions, visit IHCL's official website.


Sayaji Raipur Brings Dussehra Dining and Halloween Celebrations to October

Sayaji Raipur Brings Dussehra Dining and Halloween Celebrations to October

By Hariharan U

Published on October 20, 2026

Sayaji Raipur is bringing the festive season to the table with two special dining experiences this October, combining a Dussehra celebration at Cravings with a themed Halloween evening at its rooftop destination, Horizon.

Designed around food, festivities and social gatherings, the hotel's October calendar offers guests opportunities to celebrate traditional occasions and enjoy a contemporary seasonal experience with family and friends.

Dussehra Celebration at Cravings

On October 20, 2026, Cravings at Sayaji Raipur will mark Dussehra with a special festive dining experience featuring traditional flavours and a celebratory atmosphere.

Guests can avail themselves of a 2+1 offer during lunch, providing an opportunity for families and groups to gather over a festive meal.

Halloween Night at Horizon

The celebrations will continue on October 31, 2026, with a themed Halloween Night at Horizon, Sayaji Raipur's rooftop destination.

The evening will feature Halloween-inspired food and drinks, themed décor and an entertaining ambience, bringing a seasonal twist to the rooftop dining experience.

Guests can also enjoy 15% off the à la carte menu, while drinks will be available at MRP.

Together, the two events reflect Sayaji Raipur's approach to seasonal dining, bringing traditional festivities and contemporary themed celebrations into its October programme.

Event Details

Dussehra at Cravings

  • Date: October 20, 2026

  • Offer: 2+1 during lunch

Halloween Night at Horizon

  • Date: October 31, 2026

  • Offer: 15% off the à la carte menu

  • Drinks: Available at MRP


The Big Chill Opens at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj with Brasserie, Cakery and Creamery

The Big Chill Opens at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj with Brasserie, Cakery and Creamery

By Hariharan U

Published on October 19, 2026

The Big Chill has opened at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, bringing together its signature cakery and creamery with The Big Chill Brasserie, the brand's latest dining concept featuring an expanded savoury menu.

The new outlet introduces visitors to three distinct offerings under one roof, combining the brand's established dessert selection with a broader range of savoury dishes. The Big Chill Brasserie expands the menu with new pizza styles, Smash Burgers and other food options.

Known for its comfort food, youthful atmosphere and neighbourhood-café appeal, The Big Chill has built a strong presence in Delhi's dining landscape. Its arrival at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, adds another established homegrown brand to the destination's food and beverage portfolio.

Brasserie Introduces an Expanded Menu

The Big Chill Brasserie is the latest addition to the brand's dining format, offering a wider savoury selection alongside its familiar desserts and ice creams.

The expanded menu includes new pizza styles and Smash Burgers, giving diners additional options beyond the brand's traditional cakery and creamery offerings. The concept brings together different aspects of The Big Chill's culinary identity in a single destination.

For visitors to Ambience Mall, the three formats offer an opportunity to explore the brand's savoury and sweet offerings during a shopping or leisure outing.

Strengthening Ambience Mall's Dining Portfolio

Commenting on the opening, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Ambience Malls have always focused on creating destinations that bring together exceptional brands and memorable experiences. The Big Chill is a much-loved name in Delhi's dining culture, and its arrival at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, adds to our diverse culinary offering. With The Big Chill Brasserie introducing an expanded menu of pizzas, Smash Burgers and more, visitors will have even more to explore. We look forward to welcoming the brand and offering our guests another compelling reason to visit and spend quality time at the mall.”

The addition further strengthens Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj's mix of dining, shopping and leisure experiences. By bringing The Big Chill Brasserie, Cakery and Creamery together, the mall adds a multi-format dining destination catering to visitors looking for both savoury meals and desserts.


Corbett Literature Festival Concludes at The Golden Tusk with Focus on Wildlife and Conservation

Corbett Literature Festival Concludes at The Golden Tusk with Focus on Wildlife and Conservation

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 16, 2026

The inaugural Corbett Literature Festival, themed Stories from a Living Landscape, concluded at The Golden Tusk with a final day dedicated to wildlife photography, natural history, conservation, river ecosystems and nature writing. The three-day festival brought together writers, conservationists, historians, photographers and storytellers to explore the many stories of the Corbett landscape.

The final day began at noon with a Wildlife Photography Exhibition at Jungle Grill, The Golden Tusk, curated by Sriroopa Raheja Bajaj. The exhibition featured images capturing the beauty, behaviour and fragility of Corbett's wildlife and natural landscapes.

The opening session, Corbett: Seen & the Unseen, offered a visual journey into the wild, with Ajay Suri in conversation with Vikramjit Singh Bal.

Acclaimed playback singer Jubin Nautiyal, who hails from Uttarakhand, also made a special appearance at the festival. Speaking about his connection with the state and the importance of conservation, he said, "I am truly happy to be here at the first Corbett Literature Festival. Uttarakhand is my home, and Corbett is one of its greatest treasures. A festival like this, which brings together stories, music, culture and conservation, will help more people discover the beauty of our state and understand why we must protect it. I hope it becomes an annual celebration."

The day's discussions covered several aspects of the natural world. The session Wild Histories, Living Landscapes featured Raza Kazmi and Dr Manoj Kumar discussing natural history, conservation and the relationship between wildlife and people.

In The Conservation Imperative, Dipankar Ghose was in conversation with Dr Samir Sinha and Praveen Singh Pratapsingh Pardeshi on wildlife protection, local communities and coexistence in the Corbett landscape.

The session Rivers of Faith & Forest: The Ganga and Ramganga explored the rivers' importance to sacred traditions and wildlife habitats, along with the impact of modern development on their future. Ramesh Bhatt, Chinmay Shah and Dr Anjali Capila joined moderator Sumantha Ghosh for the discussion.

The final session, The Wild Word: Writing Nature in Fact and Fiction, featured Gargi Rawat in conversation with Prerna Singh Bindra, Stephen Alter and Richard Kerridge. The discussion examined how fiction and non-fiction influence the way people understand nature and the wild.

Commenting on the festival's first edition, Saket Badola, Field Director, Corbett Lit Festival 2026, said, "The success of this first-of-its-kind initiative has demonstrated how a literary perspective can present a destination in an entirely different light. Stories of Corbett and the wild are inherently captivating. It was heartening to see so many luminaries from diverse fields come together to showcase the unique and fascinating facets of Corbett. We look forward to organising many more editions of the festival in the years ahead."

Anirudh Lakhotia, Director, Ivory Destinations, which owns The Golden Tusk, highlighted the importance of protecting the region's natural heritage while sharing its stories. He said, "Hosting the final day of the first Corbett Literature Festival has been a privilege. As people who live and work in this landscape, we believe the future of tourism here depends on protecting what makes Corbett special, and on telling its stories well. We are proud to have helped bring these voices together and hope the festival returns for many editions to come. We are also extremely grateful to all the Speakers who accepted the invite and graced the festival with their presence and establishing it as one of its kind festival."

The festival concluded with a gala dinner on the Plumeria Lawn at The Golden Tusk, featuring an instrumental retro performance by the collective led by Murad Ali Khan and a live painting of the Corbett landscape.

Across three days, the inaugural edition hosted more than 30 writers, conservationists, historians, photographers and storytellers through over 20 sessions at various properties in Corbett. The festival brought literature, culture and conservation together, highlighting the importance of sharing the stories of the landscape while protecting its natural heritage.

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