Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the launch of Sterling Valley of Pine, Lansdowne, a boutique mountain retreat nestled amid dense pine forests near Gumkhal, marking the brand’s ninth resort in Uttarakhand. Designed as an off-the-grid escape, the property is aimed at travellers seeking slower, more meaningful stays surrounded by nature, with warm pinewood interiors, open terraces, and uninterrupted valley views.

All rooms feature private balconies overlooking forested landscapes, while select indulgent havens offer access to open terraces facing the pool and the valley beyond. The retreat is positioned for leisure holidays, workcations, leadership offsites, and intimate celebrations, while also fitting seamlessly into Sterling’s wider Uttarakhand circuit for drive-to travellers from Delhi NCR and Western Uttar Pradesh.

The guest experience revolves around food, togetherness, and time outdoors, supported by three signature spaces: Lans Café, an all-day dining venue with valley and garden views; Sky Social, an open-air terrace for sunset gatherings, bonfires, and small celebrations; and Sky Vista, a glass-walled meeting venue overlooking the forests, designed for focused offsites and workshops.

Commenting on the launch, Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said the new property adds a calmer, more design-led dimension to Sterling’s mountain portfolio while strengthening its presence across Uttarakhand’s key destinations. Ms. Meghna Bhatnagar of Dev Bhoomi added that partnering with Sterling brings refined hospitality and national scale to their Lansdowne vision.

With curated regional cuisine, a swimming pool, wellness facilities, guided nature walks, bonfire evenings, and pet-friendly stays, Sterling Valley of Pine, Lansdowne offers a well-rounded forest retreat within easy driving distance of Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital, and Jim Corbett National Park.

Sofitel Mumbai BKC has announced the achievement of its third consecutive Green Key Certification, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable luxury hospitality in India. The hotel continues to hold the distinction of being the first hotel in India to receive the prestigious Green Key Certification, highlighting its long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical operations.

This recognition reaffirms Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s consistent efforts to embed sustainability into the core of its luxury hospitality operations, while meeting stringent international benchmarks year after year.

Commenting on the achievement, Ms. Neha Chhabra, General Manager, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, said, “Achieving the Green Key Certification for the third consecutive year is a moment of immense pride for our entire team. Being the first hotel in India to receive this globally respected certification makes this recognition even more meaningful for us. It reflects our belief that sustainability is not a one-time initiative, but an ongoing commitment that shapes the way we operate, innovate, and deliver thoughtful luxury experiences to our guests.”

Demonstrating strong leadership in clean energy adoption, Sofitel Mumbai BKC now sources 78% of its total energy consumption from green energy. This transition marks a significant step in reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint and reflects a strategic focus on renewable energy solutions and operational efficiency, without compromising on guest comfort or luxury.

The hotel has also made measurable progress in responsible food management. In 2025, Sofitel Mumbai BKC achieved a reduction of 31,019 kilograms of food waste compared to 2024. This milestone was driven by improved forecasting, thoughtful planning, and conscious kitchen practices, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to minimizing waste across its culinary operations.

Water stewardship remains a key pillar of the hotel’s sustainability journey. Sofitel Mumbai BKC has implemented advanced water-efficient automation systems to reduce overall water consumption. The Intellipool System enables real-time monitoring of swimming pool water quality, reducing maintenance needs and saving approximately 120 KL of water per month while using Diversey-certified eco-friendly products. Additionally, the Intellitower System automates chemical dosing and optimises cooling tower water quality, resulting in further water conservation of around 150 KL per month.

The third consecutive Green Key Certification adds to a strong year for Sofitel Mumbai BKC, which received over 20 awards in 2025 across sustainability, guest experience, culinary innovation, and luxury hospitality benchmarks. Together, these recognitions reinforce the hotel’s position as a destination that seamlessly blends conscious luxury with world-class experiences, setting new standards for responsible hospitality in India.

Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited has announced the signing of its first boutique property in Udaipur, marking a key milestone in the company’s brand expansion strategy and its entry into India’s growing boutique hospitality segment.

Located in the city of Udaipur and set amid the Aravali mountain range, the upcoming property will feature 20 thoughtfully designed rooms. According to the company, the rooms will be crafted with artistic elements and attention to detail, offering guests a blend of comfort, elegance and a serene, immersive environment complemented by scenic mountain views.

A major highlight of the property will be GG’s, a pure vegetarian, double-decker rooftop restaurant. Designed with both open-to-sky and covered dining spaces, the restaurant will offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, positioning it as a distinctive culinary destination aligned with Eco Hotels’ focus on quality and innovation.

The Udaipur signing also marks the launch of Eco Hotels’ fourth brand, The Eco Boutique, following its existing brands -The Eco, Eco Xpress and Eco Value. The new boutique brand is aimed at travellers seeking premium, experience-driven stays in culturally rich and scenic leisure destinations.

Commenting on the development, Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Chairman, Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited, said, “With the Eco Boutique Udaipur, we aim to deliver a refined hospitality experience that reflects the cultural richness and natural beauty of the region. This expansion is part of our broader strategy to strengthen our footprint in high-growth markets while maintaining our commitment to sustainability, guest comfort, and operational excellence.”

Sharing a financial and growth perspective, Vikram Doshi, Director – Finance & CFO, Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited, added, “The signing of our first boutique property in Udaipur reflects our focused approach toward expanding into high-demand leisure markets with strong revenue potential. This property is expected to strengthen our portfolio by offering a differentiated guest experience while maintaining operational efficiency and financial discipline. We remain confident that such strategic expansions will contribute positively to the company’s long-term growth trajectory.”

The property is scheduled to go live in March 2026 and is expected to further strengthen Eco Hotels’ presence in India’s leisure hospitality landscape, while offering guests a distinctive blend of comfort, elegance and scenic charm.