HCL to Open New Gateway Hotel in Buddhist Pilgrimage Site Sarnath

HCL to Open New Gateway Hotel in Buddhist Pilgrimage Site Sarnath

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 6, 2024

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India's premier hospitality organization, has announced a significant expansion in its spiritual tourism circuit with the signing of a new hotel in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. This new property, which will operate under the re-imagined Gateway brand, marks IHCL's continued commitment to enhancing its presence in key pilgrimage destinations.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development at IHCL, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, stating, "Sarnath is a pivotal location in the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, and our new Gateway hotel will cater to the spiritual and cultural needs of our guests. We are thrilled to collaborate with Raj Hotels for this project, which promises to be a landmark in the region."

The Gateway Sarnath will be the city's largest hotel, featuring 160 well-appointed rooms. The hotel's amenities are designed to cater to both leisure and business travelers, with an all-day diner, a bar, and extensive recreational facilities including a gymnasium and a swimming pool. Additionally, the hotel will offer over 6,500 square feet of banquet space alongside multiple meeting rooms, making it an ideal venue for social and corporate events.

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Vishal Singh, Chairman of Raj Hotels, highlighted the partnership's benefits, saying, "Introducing the first branded hotel in Sarnath with IHCL will significantly elevate the city's hospitality standards. We look forward to a successful collaboration that will set new benchmarks in the region."

Sarnath holds historical significance as one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites, renowned as the location where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon. The development of this hotel is poised to attract more visitors to the area, contributing to the local economy and the broader tourism industry.

With this addition, IHCL will operate 24 hotels across Uttar Pradesh, including properties under the Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger brands, with 11 more under development. This expansion is part of IHCL’s broader strategy to diversify its portfolio and enhance its offerings in the spiritual tourism sector, reinforcing its leadership in the Indian hospitality market.


The Lind Hotels Expands Beyond Boracay with New Openings in Coron and Siargao

The Lind Hotels Expands Beyond Boracay with New Openings in Coron and Siargao

By Hariharan U

Published on April 22, 2026

The Lind Hotels is expanding its footprint beyond Boracay, with new properties planned in Coron and Siargao, marking a significant step in building a curated multi-island portfolio.

The brand, known for The Lind Boracay, has established a strong identity through a guest-first and adaptive approach. Located along the prime stretch of Station 1 White Beach, the property has built its reputation on personalised experiences, strong guest loyalty, and continuous evolution based on feedback. It also holds the distinction of being the first MICHELIN Guide-listed hotel in Boracay, a milestone that continues to shape its positioning.

Moving into its next phase, the brand is focusing on destinations that align with its philosophy rather than pursuing rapid scale.

The upcoming Lind Coron, scheduled to open next year, will introduce a villa-led, more personalised hospitality experience. Set on a peninsula, the property is designed to offer seclusion while remaining connected to the mainland, with plans for multiple dining venues, a dive centre, and expanded wellness and recreation facilities.

Meanwhile, Lind Siargao reflects a strategic move into high-potential destinations with limited premium supply. Known as one of the Philippines’ most sought-after island escapes, Siargao presents an opportunity to establish an early presence in a fast-evolving market while maintaining the brand’s distinct identity.

The expansion underscores a deliberate approach, focusing on long-term potential, destination relevance, and differentiated guest experiences rather than scale alone. The brand continues to operate independently, allowing it to remain agile and responsive to changing guest expectations.

As it grows, The Lind Hotels aims to carry forward the same ethos that defined its Boracay property, independent, adaptable, and consistently shaped around the guest experience, while tailoring each destination to its unique environment.


Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Reveals ‘Constellar’ Ballroom with Unique Design Story

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Reveals ‘Constellar’ Ballroom with Unique Design Story

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 21, 2026

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai has unveiled ‘Constellar’, the official name and identity of its expansive 10,000-square-foot ballroom facility. The announcement adds a new layer of meaning to the space, bringing together thoughtful design, symbolism, and a narrative that reflects the hotel’s architectural style and its legacy of refined hospitality.

Introduced earlier this year, the ballroom has already positioned itself as one of Mumbai’s most sophisticated venues for weddings, celebrations, and corporate gatherings. With the introduction of ‘Constellar’, the space now carries a strong visual and conceptual identity, giving it a deeper presence.

The name ‘Constellar’ takes inspiration from constellations, symbolising connection, brilliance, and timeless beauty. This idea is reflected in the logo, which features a four-circle icon drawn from the ballroom’s architectural detailing, especially the circular patterns seen at the grand entrance. These elements come together to form a balanced and elegant motif, linking the interiors with the visual identity. A subtle star formed within the design further connects to the theme of constellations, while the four circles also represent the Four Seasons legacy, making the brand an integral part of the design story.

“Constellar, inspired by constellations, redefines how we envision celebrations coming together with intention, beauty, and meaning. With Constellar, we have given our ballroom a distinct character rooted in contemporary design, advanced technology, culinary craftsmanship, and a passionate team. It is ultimately brought to life by our esteemed guests, who make each celebration unique and memorable,” shares Nitesh Gandhi, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotels Mumbai.

Located in Worli, the 10,000-square-foot facility brings together scale and elegance. It begins with a 500-square-foot private arrival foyer that opens into a 1,300-square-foot pre-function area, leading to a 7,000-square-foot banqueting space. At its centre is a 5,700-square-foot pillarless hall with a 19-foot ceiling, designed to host large gatherings with ease. The interiors follow a modern and contemporary style, while features such as a 1,000-square-foot LED wall, digital signage, and modular setups offer flexibility for different event formats. Seamless connectivity to The Great Room ensures smooth transitions for weddings, soirées, and large-scale launches.

Every event here is shaped by Four Season’s approach to personalised service, supported by dedicated specialists and attention to detail. With ‘Constellar’, the ballroom moves beyond just a venue, offering a space where design, technology, and meaningful experiences come together.


Lemon Tree Signs Garudeshwar Hotel

Lemon Tree Signs Garudeshwar Hotel

By Hariharan U

Published on April 20, 2026

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of a new property in Garudeshwar, further strengthening its footprint in Gujarat’s growing tourism and pilgrimage-driven markets.

With this addition, the company’s portfolio in the state will expand to 32 properties, including 11 operational and 21 upcoming hotels. The move reflects the brand’s strategy of building scale in high-growth destinations supported by strong travel demand.

The upcoming Lemon Tree Hotel Garudeshwar will feature 90 rooms along with a restaurant, banquet hall, and meeting facilities. Recreational amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre are also part of the development.

The hotel will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, the management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels.

Gujarat continues to witness rising tourist inflow, driven by landmark attractions like the Statue of Unity and growing interest in spiritual and cultural travel. Garudeshwar is increasingly emerging as a key destination within this ecosystem, benefiting from improved infrastructure and proximity to major tourist circuits.

The property is well connected by road and is located approximately 85 km from Vadodara International Airport and around 5 km from Ekta Nagar Railway Station, offering convenient access for travellers.

Commenting on the signing, Neelendra Singh, Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels, said that "Destinations like Garudeshwar are becoming important nodes in India’s expanding tourism landscape". He noted that increasing visitor flows are driving demand for quality branded hospitality, and the company remains focused on tapping such opportunities to strengthen its regional presence.

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