ITC Grand Chola Celebrates 14 Years of Responsible Luxury in Chennai

ITC Grand Chola Celebrates 14 Years of Responsible Luxury in Chennai

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 8, 2026

ITC Grand Chola will mark 14 years in Chennai on September 15, 2026, celebrating a journey that has placed the hotel among South India's well-known luxury hospitality destinations. Since opening its doors in 2012, the hotel has brought together heritage, hospitality, cuisine, wellness, conferences and celebrations, while building a strong connection with the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu.

Spread across eight acres, ITC Grand Chola takes inspiration from the grandeur of the Chola dynasty and some of South India's celebrated architectural landmarks, including the Brihadeeswara Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram Temple and Airavateswara Temple. Its architecture, from the carved facades and grand public spaces to the Sangam lobby, reflects India's artistic and cultural traditions. The Grand Staircase, with its symbolic Wheel of Life design, has also become one of Chennai's most photographed architectural landmarks.

The hotel currently offers 522 guest rooms and 78 serviced apartments, along with one of the country's largest integrated conferences, banqueting and exhibition facilities. This has made it a preferred venue for global summits, business gatherings, weddings and celebrations. Sustainability has remained an important part of ITC Grand Chola's journey through ITC Hotels' philosophy of Responsible Luxury.

The hotel was among the largest LEED Platinum-certified hotels during its inception and has since achieved both LEED Zero Carbon and LEED Zero Water Certifications. Its approach includes energy-efficient infrastructure, water conservation practices, eco-embedded products, eco-easy services and eco-sensitised associates, with sustainability being part of the hotel's day-to-day operations.

The hotel's environmental efforts also include Sunya Aqua, ITC Hotels' zero-mile water initiative. Through the initiative, water is purified, bottled and served in reusable glass bottles within the hotel, helping reduce single-use plastics and transportation-related carbon emissions. Responsible Luxury at ITC Grand Chola also extends beyond environmental practices. The hotel's architecture, cuisine, wellness offerings, service rituals and guest experiences continue to draw from local traditions and the destination's cultural identity.

Over the past 14 years, ITC Grand Chola has also built a strong presence in Chennai's food and beverage scene through its restaurants, bars and gourmet experiences. The hotel currently features dining destinations including Avartana, Peshawri, Royal Vega, Ottimo Cucina Italiana, Pan Asian, Madras Pavilion, Café Mercara Express, Fabelle, Yura Artisanal Scoops and Ritvah, along with Cheroot Malt Bar and Tranquebar.

Among these, Avartana has gained national and international recognition for its progressive take on South Indian cuisine, combining traditional flavours with contemporary techniques and presentation. The hotel's culinary portfolio also covers the North-West Frontier flavours of Peshawri, royal vegetarian cuisine at Royal Vega, Italian offerings at Ottimo, globally inspired dishes at Pan Asian and artisanal chocolate creations at Fabelle.

Over the years, ITC Grand Chola has grown beyond being a luxury hotel, becoming a destination for business travellers, families, gourmands, wellness seekers and local communities. The property has hosted heads of state, global dignitaries, celebrities and business leaders, while also serving as a venue for landmark weddings, international conferences, culinary showcases and cultural events.

As it celebrates its 14th anniversary on September 15, ITC Grand Chola continues to reflect Chennai's growing presence on the global hospitality map. The hotel brings together heritage and innovation, sustainability and luxury, along with world-class hospitality and South Indian warmth. Fourteen years since its opening, ITC Grand Chola continues to build on its vision of being a destination in itself, where culture, cuisine, wellness, celebrations and Responsible Luxury come together under one roof.


Sayaji Raipur Brings Dussehra Dining and Halloween Celebrations to October

Sayaji Raipur Brings Dussehra Dining and Halloween Celebrations to October

By Hariharan U

Published on October 20, 2026

Sayaji Raipur is bringing the festive season to the table with two special dining experiences this October, combining a Dussehra celebration at Cravings with a themed Halloween evening at its rooftop destination, Horizon.

Designed around food, festivities and social gatherings, the hotel's October calendar offers guests opportunities to celebrate traditional occasions and enjoy a contemporary seasonal experience with family and friends.

Dussehra Celebration at Cravings

On October 20, 2026, Cravings at Sayaji Raipur will mark Dussehra with a special festive dining experience featuring traditional flavours and a celebratory atmosphere.

Guests can avail themselves of a 2+1 offer during lunch, providing an opportunity for families and groups to gather over a festive meal.

Halloween Night at Horizon

The celebrations will continue on October 31, 2026, with a themed Halloween Night at Horizon, Sayaji Raipur's rooftop destination.

The evening will feature Halloween-inspired food and drinks, themed décor and an entertaining ambience, bringing a seasonal twist to the rooftop dining experience.

Guests can also enjoy 15% off the à la carte menu, while drinks will be available at MRP.

Together, the two events reflect Sayaji Raipur's approach to seasonal dining, bringing traditional festivities and contemporary themed celebrations into its October programme.

Event Details

Dussehra at Cravings

  • Date: October 20, 2026

  • Offer: 2+1 during lunch

Halloween Night at Horizon

  • Date: October 31, 2026

  • Offer: 15% off the à la carte menu

  • Drinks: Available at MRP


The Big Chill Opens at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj with Brasserie, Cakery and Creamery

The Big Chill Opens at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj with Brasserie, Cakery and Creamery

By Hariharan U

Published on October 19, 2026

The Big Chill has opened at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, bringing together its signature cakery and creamery with The Big Chill Brasserie, the brand's latest dining concept featuring an expanded savoury menu.

The new outlet introduces visitors to three distinct offerings under one roof, combining the brand's established dessert selection with a broader range of savoury dishes. The Big Chill Brasserie expands the menu with new pizza styles, Smash Burgers and other food options.

Known for its comfort food, youthful atmosphere and neighbourhood-café appeal, The Big Chill has built a strong presence in Delhi's dining landscape. Its arrival at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, adds another established homegrown brand to the destination's food and beverage portfolio.

Brasserie Introduces an Expanded Menu

The Big Chill Brasserie is the latest addition to the brand's dining format, offering a wider savoury selection alongside its familiar desserts and ice creams.

The expanded menu includes new pizza styles and Smash Burgers, giving diners additional options beyond the brand's traditional cakery and creamery offerings. The concept brings together different aspects of The Big Chill's culinary identity in a single destination.

For visitors to Ambience Mall, the three formats offer an opportunity to explore the brand's savoury and sweet offerings during a shopping or leisure outing.

Strengthening Ambience Mall's Dining Portfolio

Commenting on the opening, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Ambience Malls have always focused on creating destinations that bring together exceptional brands and memorable experiences. The Big Chill is a much-loved name in Delhi's dining culture, and its arrival at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, adds to our diverse culinary offering. With The Big Chill Brasserie introducing an expanded menu of pizzas, Smash Burgers and more, visitors will have even more to explore. We look forward to welcoming the brand and offering our guests another compelling reason to visit and spend quality time at the mall.”

The addition further strengthens Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj's mix of dining, shopping and leisure experiences. By bringing The Big Chill Brasserie, Cakery and Creamery together, the mall adds a multi-format dining destination catering to visitors looking for both savoury meals and desserts.


Corbett Literature Festival Concludes at The Golden Tusk with Focus on Wildlife and Conservation

Corbett Literature Festival Concludes at The Golden Tusk with Focus on Wildlife and Conservation

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 16, 2026

The inaugural Corbett Literature Festival, themed Stories from a Living Landscape, concluded at The Golden Tusk with a final day dedicated to wildlife photography, natural history, conservation, river ecosystems and nature writing. The three-day festival brought together writers, conservationists, historians, photographers and storytellers to explore the many stories of the Corbett landscape.

The final day began at noon with a Wildlife Photography Exhibition at Jungle Grill, The Golden Tusk, curated by Sriroopa Raheja Bajaj. The exhibition featured images capturing the beauty, behaviour and fragility of Corbett's wildlife and natural landscapes.

The opening session, Corbett: Seen & the Unseen, offered a visual journey into the wild, with Ajay Suri in conversation with Vikramjit Singh Bal.

Acclaimed playback singer Jubin Nautiyal, who hails from Uttarakhand, also made a special appearance at the festival. Speaking about his connection with the state and the importance of conservation, he said, "I am truly happy to be here at the first Corbett Literature Festival. Uttarakhand is my home, and Corbett is one of its greatest treasures. A festival like this, which brings together stories, music, culture and conservation, will help more people discover the beauty of our state and understand why we must protect it. I hope it becomes an annual celebration."

The day's discussions covered several aspects of the natural world. The session Wild Histories, Living Landscapes featured Raza Kazmi and Dr Manoj Kumar discussing natural history, conservation and the relationship between wildlife and people.

In The Conservation Imperative, Dipankar Ghose was in conversation with Dr Samir Sinha and Praveen Singh Pratapsingh Pardeshi on wildlife protection, local communities and coexistence in the Corbett landscape.

The session Rivers of Faith & Forest: The Ganga and Ramganga explored the rivers' importance to sacred traditions and wildlife habitats, along with the impact of modern development on their future. Ramesh Bhatt, Chinmay Shah and Dr Anjali Capila joined moderator Sumantha Ghosh for the discussion.

The final session, The Wild Word: Writing Nature in Fact and Fiction, featured Gargi Rawat in conversation with Prerna Singh Bindra, Stephen Alter and Richard Kerridge. The discussion examined how fiction and non-fiction influence the way people understand nature and the wild.

Commenting on the festival's first edition, Saket Badola, Field Director, Corbett Lit Festival 2026, said, "The success of this first-of-its-kind initiative has demonstrated how a literary perspective can present a destination in an entirely different light. Stories of Corbett and the wild are inherently captivating. It was heartening to see so many luminaries from diverse fields come together to showcase the unique and fascinating facets of Corbett. We look forward to organising many more editions of the festival in the years ahead."

Anirudh Lakhotia, Director, Ivory Destinations, which owns The Golden Tusk, highlighted the importance of protecting the region's natural heritage while sharing its stories. He said, "Hosting the final day of the first Corbett Literature Festival has been a privilege. As people who live and work in this landscape, we believe the future of tourism here depends on protecting what makes Corbett special, and on telling its stories well. We are proud to have helped bring these voices together and hope the festival returns for many editions to come. We are also extremely grateful to all the Speakers who accepted the invite and graced the festival with their presence and establishing it as one of its kind festival."

The festival concluded with a gala dinner on the Plumeria Lawn at The Golden Tusk, featuring an instrumental retro performance by the collective led by Murad Ali Khan and a live painting of the Corbett landscape.

Across three days, the inaugural edition hosted more than 30 writers, conservationists, historians, photographers and storytellers through over 20 sessions at various properties in Corbett. The festival brought literature, culture and conservation together, highlighting the importance of sharing the stories of the landscape while protecting its natural heritage.

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