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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on October 6, 2024
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has completed the acquisition of Standard International, parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands. This acquisition enhances Hyatt’s position in the lifestyle segment, adding well-known boutique and lifestyle hotels to its growing portfolio.
The acquisition includes management, franchise, and licensing contracts for 22 hotels, totaling about 2,000 rooms, such as The Standard, London, The Standard, High Line in New York City, and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. The acquisition also adds The Manner, a new lifestyle hotel in SoHo, New York, which recently opened and hosted several New York Fashion Week afterparties. Other properties set to open later this year include The Standard, Singapore; Hotel Saint Augustine in Houston; and The StandardX, Bangkok.
Standard International’s robust residential business is also part of the acquisition. Currently, Standard Residences are under development in cities like Miami, Lisbon, and Mexico City, while completed Bunkhouse Residences include Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas.
Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt, commented, "The development community knows an industry game-changer when they see it, and the enthusiasm for bringing together the ethos of The Standard and Bunkhouse brands and the power of Hyatt’s network and distribution system is palpable. Developers love this combination as much as we do."
The acquisition also includes more than 30 future projects with signed agreements or letters of intent. To support this growing segment, Hyatt plans to introduce a dedicated Lifestyle group headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in Austin and Bangkok. Amar Lalvani, former Executive Chairman of Standard International, will lead the new Lifestyle group as President & Creative Director.
“The lifestyle segment isn’t for the faint of heart, it takes creativity and commitment,” Lalvani said. “But if you get it right, you reap the benefits of outsized guest loyalty and outsized developer returns. The beauty of this combination is that Hyatt respects the creativity and freedom required to deliver the experiences we do, and we respect the value of Hyatt’s storied history, global infrastructure and best-in-class commercial services.”
In addition to its focus on the lifestyle segment, Hyatt continues expanding across other areas. The company has the largest collection of luxury all-inclusive resorts globally, and its select service portfolio represents half of its pipeline, driving the expansion of Hyatt-branded properties into new markets. Hyatt also plans to announce a dedicated luxury group with distinct leadership focusing on delivering exceptional services for guests at the luxury level.
“Our transformation to an asset-light business model has been a resounding success, and now it’s time to evolve our organization to propel us into the future, benefiting our guests, members, customers, owners and shareholders along the way,” added Hoplamazian. “This is not about prioritizing one segment over another; this is about aligning our internal resources and expertise to care even more deeply for guests, customers and owners across our entire portfolio.”
Since 2017, Hyatt’s brand portfolio has grown by 86%, tripling the number of World of Hyatt members. This growth has also increased room night penetration for members, reflecting the effectiveness of Hyatt's expansion strategy.
Image Credits: Hyatt
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By Nishang Narayan
Published on June 22, 2025
Minimalist Hotels has strengthened its presence in India’s spiritual capital with the opening of its second property in Varanasi, located in DIG Colony, just two kilometres from its first hotel. Launched on 15 June 2025, the new 24-room hotel reflects the brand’s sharp focus on design-led urban hospitality that appeals to both spiritual and leisure travellers.
The decision to expand came on the back of sustained high occupancy at its first Varanasi outpost, especially during major cultural and religious events. With the city drawing both domestic and international visitors year-round, the new hotel offers a minimal yet modern stay experience for travellers seeking comfort without excess.
Gautam Munjal, Founder of Minimalist Hotels, commented,
“Our first hotel in Varanasi saw consistent high occupancy, especially during spiritual and cultural seasons. Opening a second property allowed us to better serve guests while reinforcing our commitment to the region’s hospitality landscape.”
Built with understated elegance, the property maintains the brand’s clean aesthetic and calm atmosphere, offering a refreshing take on boutique hospitality. It also features a 50-seater casual dining restaurant and pizzeria, providing a relaxed culinary option for guests after a day of temple visits or sightseeing.
Situated in proximity to key religious and cultural landmarks, the hotel is ideally positioned to serve pilgrims and tourists alike, particularly with major events like the Kumbh Mela approaching.
“The timing of this launch helps us meet rising demand and further cement our position as a premium yet approachable hospitality brand,” added Munjal.
With two operational properties in Varanasi and plans for growth in other high-footfall cities, Minimalist Hotels is poised to redefine understated hospitality across India's urban destinations where design, functionality, and convenience meet.
Hilton has officially marked the debut of its focused service brand in India’s financial capital with the launch of Hilton Garden Inn Mumbai International Airport. Developed in collaboration with Fariyas Hotels & Resorts, the 140-room hotel is strategically located in Andheri East, just minutes away from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
The new property is designed for today’s business and leisure travellers who seek comfort, efficiency, and a touch of style. Each guest room is thoughtfully equipped with ergonomic workspaces, plush bedding, and contemporary amenities, offering a seamless blend of productivity and relaxation.
Dining and wellness options include Together & Co., an all-day restaurant, a rooftop pool, fitness centre, and &ToGo, a 24/7 convenience store. The hotel also features versatile meeting spaces, making it ideal for corporate events, training programs, and small social gatherings.
Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, South Asia, Hilton, said:
“With the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Mumbai International Airport, we are deepening our presence in one of India’s most dynamic and high-demand markets. This opening marks another step in our strategic growth journey as we continue bringing Hilton’s world-class hospitality to more guests across India.”
Jenny Milos, Vice President, Brand Management – Suites & Focused Service, Asia Pacific, Hilton, added:
“Hilton Garden Inn is one of Hilton’s fastest-growing brands globally, designed for travellers who value comfort, convenience, and our signature Brighthearted hospitality. Our debut in Mumbai reinforces our promise to deliver a reliable, business-friendly stay.”
Sameer Maredia, Director, Fariyas Hotels Private Limited, shared:
“We are proud to bring Hilton Garden Inn to Mumbai, a city that continues to lead India’s economic growth. With Hilton’s global expertise and our local market insights, we are confident this hotel will meet the evolving needs of today’s discerning travellers.”
Located on Sahar Road, the hotel provides easy access to major business hubs, entertainment zones, and city landmarks such as Juhu Beach, Versova, and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
The hotel is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program, and adds to Hilton’s growing footprint in South Asia, with 63 operational and pipeline hotels across the region.
Lemon Tree Hotels continues its expansion spree with the signing of Lemon Tree Resort, Limbodagari, Madhya Pradesh. Managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, this new resort will further strengthen the group’s presence in the heart of India.
Set to feature 60 well-appointed rooms, the upcoming property will offer a wide range of amenities including a restaurant, banquet space, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and other public areas — promising a complete leisure and business experience for its guests.
Strategically located, the resort is around 9.4 km from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and 9.3 km from Indore Railway Station, ensuring seamless connectivity. It is situated near Indore’s Super Corridor, a fast-developing 12-km stretch known for its premium residential projects and key IT hubs, making Limbodagari an increasingly attractive location for both developers and travellers. Just 14 km from the city of Indore, the region blends rural charm with emerging urban infrastructure, presenting a unique escape for both leisure seekers and business guests.
Vilas Pawar, CEO – Managed & Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, stated:
“We are delighted to announce the expansion of our portfolio in Madhya Pradesh — the heart of India. Lemon Tree Hotels is expanding its presence across the country in cities across all tiers to become the most preferred hospitality chain across different segments. This opening will be in addition to our four existing and seven upcoming hotels in Madhya Pradesh.”
With this addition, Lemon Tree strengthens its presence in Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total to 11 hotels — 4 operational and 7 in the pipeline — reflecting its strategy to tap into both metro and emerging destinations across India.
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