IHG Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Kashmir with Signing of a voco Hotel

IHG Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Kashmir with Signing of a voco Hotel

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced its debut in Kashmir with the signing of a management agreement for voco Srinagar, in partnership with Geelan Residency. This marks IHG’s first hotel in Kashmir and the sixth voco hotel being developed in India. Scheduled to open in October 2026, the hotel aims to cater to both leisure travelers and social gatherings, including MICE events.

The new voco Srinagar will be located in the upscale commercial area of the city, easily accessible by road from the airport and major tourist attractions. It will be a two-hour drive from popular destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg. The hotel will feature 95 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a pool deck, and a fitness center.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director of South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed excitement about the new venture: “We are thrilled to establish our footprint in Kashmir with our premium brand, voco, in partnership with Geelan Residency. Kashmir is one of the most popular leisure destinations in the country and has experienced an unprecedented boom in tourism in the past years. This has led to an increase in demand for quality branded accommodation. With its bold design and welcoming service, we are confident that voco Srinagar will become a preferred hotel for travelers visiting Kashmir.”

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Javeed Jeelani, Managing Partner at Geelan Residency, added, “We are delighted to partner with an internationally and locally trusted hospitality brand like IHG Hotels & Resorts to debut the voco brand in Kashmir. We are confident that the hotel’s prime location coupled with IHG's global standards, voco Srinagar is set to become an ideal choice for our guests.”

The voco brand, known for its unique blend of informality and quality, has quickly gained popularity in India since its debut in 2023. With properties already established in markets such as Jim Corbett, Gurugram, Mumbai, Goa, and Punjab, the addition of voco Srinagar underscores IHG’s commitment to expanding its presence in key leisure destinations across the country.


The Fern Hotels & Resorts Expands Rajasthan Portfolio with The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur

The Fern Hotels & Resorts Expands Rajasthan Portfolio with The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur

By Hariharan U

Published on February 28, 2026

The Fern Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur, Series by Marriott, further strengthening its footprint in Rajasthan. With this addition, the brand now operates five properties in Jaipur and a total of 17 hotels across the state, including those operational and opening shortly.

Strategically positioned with convenient access to major transport hubs, the new property is designed to serve business travellers, leisure guests, weddings and convention segments in one of India’s most culturally vibrant cities. Located approximately 30 km from Jaipur International Airport, 25 km from Jaipur Railway Station and 29 km from Jaipur ISBT, the hotel ensures smooth connectivity for domestic and international visitors.

The resort features 107 well-appointed rooms and suites across multiple categories, blending comfort, functionality and contemporary design. Dining offerings include Darpan, a multi-cuisine restaurant inspired by the architectural grandeur of Chand Baori, serving Indian, Asian and international fare in an elegant setting. Guests can also unwind at Zaza, a chic café and lounge offering gourmet teas, coffees and beverages alongside live kitchen experiences. Round-the-clock in-room dining further enhances guest convenience.

Commenting on the expansion, Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director of The Fern Hotels & Resorts, said, “As India’s hospitality landscape continues to evolve, destinations such as Jaipur remain central to both domestic and international travel demand. Our focus is on creating hospitality experiences that combine efficient service, thoughtful amenities and strong location advantages to meet the expectations of modern travellers. This new property reflects our commitment to expanding in culturally significant markets while maintaining consistent quality and guest satisfaction across our portfolio.”

With its comprehensive facilities and strategic location, The Fern Nest Resort Jaipur is positioned as a well-connected and contemporary hospitality address in Rajasthan’s capital city.


LIVAA Hotels & Resorts Expands in Uttarakhand with Ayali Riverside Resort, Rishikesh

LIVAA Hotels & Resorts Expands in Uttarakhand with Ayali Riverside Resort, Rishikesh

By Hariharan U

Published on February 27, 2026

ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its presence in Uttarakhand through a strategic tie-up with Ayali Riverside Resort, marking its fifth property in the state. The move expands the group’s leisure portfolio in Rishikesh, widely regarded as India’s spiritual and adventure capital.

Set along the Huvel River, a tributary of the Ganges River, the resort features independent luxury cottages designed for travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity. Surrounded by the Himalayan foothills, the property caters to guests drawn to Rishikesh’s blend of spiritual heritage, yoga culture and outdoor adventure. Its proximity to landmarks such as Laxman Jhula and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple enhances its appeal among both domestic and international visitors.

The partnership aligns with rising travel demand in Uttarakhand, where Rishikesh has evolved beyond a pilgrimage centre into a hub for wellness tourism, adventure sports and extended “work-from-mountain” stays. With existing properties in Haridwar, Mussoorie and Lansdowne, and an upcoming project in Jim Corbett, ALIVAA continues to scale its footprint across key leisure destinations.

Akash Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer (M&F) of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, said, “The addition of Ayali Riverside Resort to our portfolio is a calculated move to capture the booming demand for experience-led stays in Uttarakhand. Marking our fifth property in the state, this expansion highlights our deep commitment to the region. By integrating Ayali’s stunning riverside location with ALIVAA’s commercial engine, this cooperation is set to deliver superior value to both our guests and our partners.”

Vikramjit Singh, Founder and Chairman of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, added, “Our vision for ALIVAA has always been to bridge the gap between asset potential and professional management. This joint undertaking reinforces our commitment to building an ecosystem that is ‘unmistakably Indian at heart’ yet global in its standards.”

Sandeep Kumar, Founder of Ayali Hotels & Resorts, noted that the alliance will allow the property to leverage ALIVAA’s marketing and sales expertise while maintaining its personalised guest experience.

With a growing pipeline and focus on midscale and upper-midscale segments, ALIVAA’s latest expansion underscores its ambition to emerge as a leading hospitality operator in high-growth leisure markets.


CheckIn Partners with MAP to Bring Art-Led Experiences to SUNDAY Hotels

CheckIn Partners with MAP to Bring Art-Led Experiences to SUNDAY Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on February 25, 2026

In a move that blends hospitality with heritage, CheckIn has partnered with Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru, to introduce curated art experiences across select SUNDAY Hotels. The initiative aims to transform hotel spaces into immersive cultural environments where Indian art and storytelling become an integral part of the guest journey.

Launched as a pilot across three properties, Sunday Hotel, Zirakpur; Sunday Hotel & Residency M3M, Gurugram; and Sunday Hotel & Resort, Manesar, the collaboration marks one of the first structured efforts in India to embed museum-curated art within hospitality spaces at scale. Rooted in the shared belief that art should be part of everyday life, the partnership reimagines hotels not merely as places to stay, but as living galleries reflecting India’s artistic depth.

The inaugural collection features curated reprints spanning indigenous art practices, modern and contemporary works, and elements of popular culture. Gond paintings by Jangarh Singh Shyam offer insights into indigenous storytelling traditions, while Madan Meena’s Baramasa series draws from a distinctive genre of Indian miniature painting depicting the rhythm of seasons and their emotional resonance. Textile Labels from the early 20th century highlight the influence of chromolithography on art and design during that era.

Speaking on the partnership, Varun Jain, Chief Operating OfficerAsia, PRISM, noted that art has the power to deepen connections to culture and shared narratives. Abhishek Poddar, Founder of MAP, added that moving art beyond museum walls into everyday spaces encourages curiosity and fosters meaningful engagement with South Asian visual heritage.

The collaboration reflects evolving travel preferences, where guests increasingly seek culturally immersive and meaningful stays. By integrating curated art into its properties, CheckIn positions SUNDAY Hotels as spaces that celebrate regional narratives and artistic traditions while offering a contemporary hospitality experience.

With plans to expand the programme across additional SUNDAY Hotels, CheckIn aims to create a distributed art experience across India, one that brings cultural memory and creative expression closer to travellers nationwide.

PRISM, the parent company of OYO, operates across more than 35 countries, serving over 100 million customers globally through diverse hospitality and urban living solutions. Meanwhile, MAP Bengaluru, housed in a purpose-built 44,000 square foot space on Kasturba Road, continues its mission to preserve and promote South Asian visual art while cultivating a stronger museum-going culture in India.

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