Zari has announced its entry into India's luxury hospitality landscape with the launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai, Rajasthan. The boutique property marks the debut of the new hospitality brand, which aims to create intimate, experience-led stays rooted in authentic local culture, thoughtful design and personalised hospitality.

Positioned as more than a traditional luxury hotel brand, Zari is built around the philosophy of offering meaningful travel experiences that celebrate destination, heritage and community. The company plans to expand its portfolio with several boutique luxury properties across India in the coming months.

Located in Rajasthan's renowned Leopard Country, Bijapur Lodge is an exclusive six-suite retreat set amidst Jawai's dramatic granite landscape. Spread across five acres of restored natural terrain, the property has been designed to offer guests privacy, tranquillity and immersive experiences while embracing sustainability and understated luxury.

One of the property's signature experiences is its private leopard safari, led by experienced naturalists who introduce guests to Jawai's unique ecosystem, where leopards have coexisted peacefully with the indigenous Rabari community for generations. The conservation-focused safari offers visitors an opportunity to experience one of India's most remarkable wildlife destinations while gaining insights into its ecological and cultural significance.

The culinary programme at Bijapur Lodge highlights Rajasthan's rich food heritage through its Curated Heritage Table, featuring consultant-designed menus prepared using hyper-local ingredients, seasonal produce and traditional recipes. Guests can enjoy regional specialities including Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri and wood-fired delicacies that celebrate the region's culinary traditions.

Beyond wildlife experiences, the lodge offers a range of curated activities including sunset sundowners overlooking Jawai's granite hills, guided Rabari village walks, birdwatching, boat excursions and sunrise yoga sessions amidst nature. Each experience has been designed to encourage deeper connections with the destination, its people and its cultural heritage.

Commenting on the launch, the management of Zari said the brand was created with the belief that true luxury is deeply personal and rooted in meaningful experiences, genuine hospitality and a strong sense of place. They added that Bijapur Lodge embodies this philosophy by offering guests an intimate connection with Jawai's wildlife, traditions and culture, while future Zari properties will continue to celebrate the unique identity of each destination.

The launch of Bijapur Lodge marks the beginning of Zari's vision to establish a portfolio of boutique luxury properties across India, focused on experiential travel, sustainability, cultural authenticity and personalised hospitality.

Passionate People Ventures (PP Ventures) has expanded its hospitality portfolio with the launch of Helen & Lorena's Place, introducing what it describes as India's first Porto-Spanish Crafthouse. Opening on Bengaluru's rapidly growing Sarjapur–Varthur Road corridor, the new venue marks the group's fourth restaurant in the city and its most ambitious concept to date.

The Bengaluru-based hospitality group already operates Roxie in Harlur, Roxie & Barry in Whitefield, and Helen's Place in Marathahalli. With Helen & Lorena's Place, PP Ventures aims to create a destination that blends authentic Portuguese and Spanish culinary traditions with immersive design, storytelling, and personalised hospitality.

Inspired by the coastal culture of Porto and the countryside kitchens of San Sebastian, the restaurant brings together Portuguese comfort food and Spanish regional cuisine under one roof. The menu features dishes such as Red Wine-Braised Chicken, Portuguese Pork Chorizo with herb mash, Andalusian Garlic Prawns, Octopus à la Plancha, Lamb Merguez Sausage Skewers, and Lumpia Cigar Rolls with Smoked Pepper Dip, offering diners a diverse selection of European coastal flavours.

A dedicated bakery, Lorena's Panadería, forms an integral part of the experience, serving handcrafted pies, puffs and baked specialties inspired by Spanish traditions. Signature offerings include Caramelised Onion & Goat Cheese Puff, Chicken Ghee Roast Puff, Cream Cheese & Bacon Puff Burger, alongside desserts such as Cherry Amaretto Tiramisù, Crema Catalana, and tableside Crepe Suzette.

Complementing the culinary experience is a thoughtfully curated cocktail programme featuring signature creations such as San Sebastian Stories, Bougainvillea Balcony, and Pineapple Postcards. Each cocktail has been designed to reflect the cultural narrative that defines the venue.

Beyond its food and beverage programme, Helen & Lorena's Place has been designed as an immersive cultural destination where storytelling extends into every aspect of the guest experience. Hand-drawn illustrations, architecture inspired by Spanish windmills, carefully crafted literature, and even Spanish birthday songs performed by the team contribute to creating a distinctive identity for the restaurant.

Speaking about the launch, Pravesh Pandey, Managing Director of PP Ventures, said hospitality is about showing up with intent rather than simply impressing guests. He added that Bengaluru's evolving dining audience is increasingly seeking concepts built with authenticity and depth, where every element reflects a clear point of view.

Located in one of Bengaluru's fastest-growing residential and commercial corridors, Helen & Lorena's Place also represents a strategic expansion for PP Ventures as it continues to build destination-led hospitality concepts across the city.

The restaurant officially opens on 10 July 2026, welcoming guests to experience India's first Porto-Spanish Crafthouse.

Novotel Hyderabad Airport has unveiled Monsoon Dak Bungalow, a specially curated Sunday brunch series that celebrates India's rich railway dining heritage by reviving the flavours of colonial-era dak bungalows and railway refreshment rooms.

Running every Sunday throughout July, the themed dining experience pays tribute to a time when travel was slower, meals were unhurried and roadside dak bungalows served as welcoming rest stops for travellers journeying across the country. Inspired by this forgotten chapter of India's culinary history, the brunch recreates classic recipes shaped by Anglo-Indian influences, regional ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

The menu highlights iconic comfort dishes that once defined travel dining, including Mulligatawny Soup, inspired by the Tamil pepper broth adapted for British tastes, and the rustic Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry, prepared using locally available ingredients in the kitchens of remote rest houses.

Guests can begin their culinary journey with starters such as Hyderabadi Tawa Fish Bites, Hara Bhara Kebabs, Paya Shorba, and Mulligatawny Soup, before exploring an elaborate main course featuring Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry, Mutton Dum Biryani, Jhinga Masala, Dal Dak Bungalow, Khubani Kofta, Dondakaya Jeedipappu Iguru, Dum Aloo Benarasi, Bharwan Shimla Mirch, and Vegetable Jalfrezi.

Complementing the heritage-inspired menu is an international buffet offering dishes such as Chicken Rendang, Fish Moilee, Grilled Fish Steak with Béarnaise Sauce, Spinach & Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Roulade, Korean Gochujang Tofu, and Roasted Cauliflower with Romesco Sauce. Guests can also enjoy live pasta stations, artisanal salads, gourmet cheeses, cold cuts, chaat favourites and an extensive dessert selection.

Commenting on the initiative, Sukhbir Singh, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, said the concept was created to revive a fading chapter of India's travel history, encouraging guests to slow down and rediscover flavours that once defined journeys across the country.

Amanna Raju, Executive Chef, added that the inspiration came from the rich culinary history hidden within everyday comfort food. He noted that although dak bungalows and railway refreshment rooms were simple establishments, they played a significant role in shaping India's travel dining culture.

Blending history, storytelling and regional flavours, Monsoon Dak Bungalow offers guests a nostalgic culinary experience that celebrates the traditions of India's historic travel routes while presenting them in a contemporary setting.