IHG Signs Deal for First Garner Hotel in Türkiye, Set to Open in 2025

IHG Signs Deal for First Garner Hotel in Türkiye, Set to Open in 2025

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 30, 2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of its first Garner-branded hotel in Türkiye. The project comes under a franchise agreement with FRT Turizm, with support from AB Consulting led by Ahmet Bilgin. Set to open in 2025, the hotel will feature 126 guest rooms spread across four separate buildings and will be located near the International Istanbul Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports.

This franchise agreement comes just a month after IHG introduced the Garner brand to the Turkish market during its Turkish Investor Day. Garner, a midscale conversion brand, focuses on offering comfortable, relaxed stays at affordable prices while providing guests with essential amenities in convenient locations.

Garner has quickly gained popularity with hotel owners worldwide due to its flexible design standards, which accommodate different footprints, and its ability to minimize pre-opening costs. The brand allows investors to move swiftly from conversion to operational status, making it a highly attractive option in the midscale space. To date, Garner has seen 79 signings and four hotel openings globally.

Each Garner property benefits from IHG’s extensive support, including digital services, a global sales organization, award-winning distribution systems, and the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, which has over 130 million members. These resources help investors maximize returns and ensure operational efficiency throughout the hotel’s lifecycle.

Willemijn Geels, Vice President of Development for Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed optimism about the brand’s expansion, stating, “With the first Garner hotel being signed just a month after we introduced the brand to our Turkish investors, it is promising to see the continued confidence our owners have in IHG’s brands. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without our trusting relationship with FRT Turizm and the support of Ahmet Bilgin and his company AB Consulting.”

The new Garner hotel will be an ideal location for transient travelers, thanks to its proximity to the new Istanbul International Airport, which welcomes over 64 million passengers annually. The brand’s promise of “easy-going stays that get you on your way” aligns perfectly with the needs of travelers in such a busy area.

FRT Turizm board members Fırat Çelebi and Vedat Çelebi added, “Hearing about the Garner brand during IHG’s Investor Day, we knew it would seamlessly fit into our location in Arnavutkoy. We look forward to welcoming travelers to the first Garner in Türkiye once we open our doors next year and becoming the first choice for all transit guests looking for a quick, convenient stay before heading to the airport.”

Türkiye continues to be an important market for IHG, where it currently operates 31 hotels across five brands, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and the Holiday Inn brand family. The company also has a robust development pipeline, with 12 more properties expected to open in the coming years.


Ramee Group of Hotels Unveils Special Independence Day Stay Package

Ramee Group of Hotels Unveils Special Independence Day Stay Package

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 6, 2026

Ramee Group of Hotels has announced a specially curated Independence Day stay package, available from 1st to 19th  August 2026 across its properties, except Udaipur. Designed for leisure travellers and families, the limited-period offer combines festive touches with signature hospitality to create a memorable holiday experience.

Guests booking the package will be welcomed with a signature tricolour beverage on arrival, along with an exclusive Independence Day amenity. The stay also includes complimentary early check-in and late check-out, as well as a complimentary upgrade to the next room category, all subject to availability.

To make the celebration even more enjoyable, guests can savour a chef-curated three-course meal once during their stay, along with complimentary evening snacks. They can also enjoy 20% savings on food and beverages across participating hotel outlets.

Families travelling together will benefit from the offer, with up to two children below 12 years staying complimentary when sharing the existing bedding.

Available for a limited period, the Independence Day package reflects Ramee Group of Hotels' commitment to creating thoughtful and comfortable guest experiences, bringing together festive celebrations, dining, and family-friendly benefits under one offering.


ELIVAAS Expands Jim Corbett Portfolio with Five New Hospitality Launches

ELIVAAS Expands Jim Corbett Portfolio with Five New Hospitality Launches

By Hariharan U

Published on August 6, 2026

ELIVAAS has strengthened its presence in Jim Corbett with the launch of five new hospitality experiences Farm Naturelle, Sylvaara, Puvalgarh Farms, Aranya Library, and Dhela Jungle Retreat, expanding its portfolio in one of India's fastest-growing wildlife and leisure destinations.

The expansion reflects the evolving preferences of modern travellers, who are increasingly seeking immersive, experience-led holidays over conventional hotel stays. Together, the five properties offer diverse accommodation formats ranging from luxury farm stays and boutique retreats to private villas and full-service resort experiences, all underpinned by ELIVAAS' focus on personalised hospitality.

Farm Naturelle is an eight-acre farm retreat surrounded by orchards, organic farmland, and lush green landscapes, offering guests a luxury villa experience inspired by slow rural living.

Sylvaara has been designed as an intimate boutique retreat, catering to couples, families, and small groups looking for contemporary luxury amidst nature.

Puvalgarh Farms combines the charm of an English countryside estate with the serenity of Jim Corbett's wilderness. The property features a four-bedroom villa and a cottage-style suite, making it ideal for exclusive family holidays and group getaways.

Aranya Library introduces thoughtfully designed row villas featuring landscaped surroundings, dedicated reading spaces, and private accommodations suited for extended family vacations and longer stays.

Completing the collection, Dhela Jungle Retreat offers a nature-inspired resort experience with spacious suites, duplex accommodations, dining venues, and recreational facilities designed to complement the natural landscape of Jim Corbett.

Across all five properties, guests can enjoy curated destination experiences including wildlife safaris, bonfire evenings, farm activities, outdoor dining, private celebrations, and personalised concierge services, allowing visitors to experience Jim Corbett beyond the traditional hotel stay.

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Commenting on the expansion, Ritwik Khare, Founder & CEO, ELIVAAS, said that Jim Corbett has evolved into much more than a wildlife destination, with travellers increasingly seeking authentic, immersive, and personalised hospitality experiences. He added that the five new properties have been developed to cater to different travel preferences while maintaining ELIVAAS' commitment to thoughtful design, exceptional service, and memorable stays.

The latest expansion reinforces ELIVAAS' strategy of building destination-led hospitality experiences that provide travellers with the flexibility to choose between farm stays, boutique retreats, luxury villas, and resort accommodations under a single hospitality brand.


Brigade Hospitality Rebrands MLR Convention Centre Whitefield as MLR Cultural Centre

Brigade Hospitality Rebrands MLR Convention Centre Whitefield as MLR Cultural Centre

By Hariharan U

Published on August 5, 2026

Brigade Hospitality has announced the rebranding of its MLR Convention Centre Whitefield as MLR Cultural Centre, marking the venue’s transformation into an emerging destination for arts, culture, and creative expression in Bengaluru.

The rebranding includes a refreshed logo and updated visual identity, reflecting the venue’s evolving role as a platform for cultural engagement. Over recent years, MLR Cultural Centre has expanded beyond traditional conferences and corporate events to host a diverse range of artistic experiences, including music, theatre, dance, literature, and performing arts.

The new identity recognises this journey and reinforces the venue’s commitment to creating meaningful cultural experiences by bringing together artists, audiences, and creative communities.

The nomenclature and visual identity of Brigade Hospitality’s MLR Convention Centre in JP Nagar will remain unchanged.

Commenting on the rebranding, Gurmeet Singh, Assistant Vice President, Brigade Hospitality, said that the identity change reflects the transition the venue has undergone, with cultural activities becoming a stronger focus while continuing to accommodate conferences and corporate events.

He added that the vision is to establish MLR Cultural Centre as a space where artists, audiences, and ideas come together to celebrate India’s vibrant cultural fabric and create memorable experiences.

The rebranding marks a new chapter for MLR Cultural Centre as it strengthens its position as a leading destination for art, music, and cultural performances in Bengaluru and beyond.

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