ITC Hotels Brings Welcomhotel to Bodhgaya with 98-Key Pilgrimage Retreat

ITC Hotels Brings Welcomhotel to Bodhgaya with 98-Key Pilgrimage Retreat

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 2, 2025

ITC Hotels Limited (ITCHL) has announced the signing of its latest Welcomhotel property in Bodhgaya, Bihar, in partnership with Kumar Infratrade Enterprises Private Limited. This marks the brand’s strategic foray into another of India’s prominent spiritual destinations, reinforcing its presence in culturally significant locations.

Spanning a generous 18-acre plot, the upcoming Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels Bodhgaya will feature 98 well-appointed guest rooms, a 2,000-seat main auditorium, a secondary 500-seat venue, and a banqueting space of 800 sqm, catering to both leisure and large-format event needs. Guests will also enjoy facilities like an all-day dining outlet, a specialty restaurant, swimming pool, and a spa.

Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels, commented on the development:

"We are proud to announce the signing of ‘Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels Bodhgaya’ in Bihar, a milestone that marks ITCHL's commitment to offering our signature hospitality in culturally rich destinations. Situated in the holy town of Bodhgaya, this property shall offer not only comfort but an immersive experience for travellers."

Manish Kumar, Director, Kumar Infratrade Enterprises Private Limited, added:

“We are excited to have entered into agreement for Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels Bodhgaya with ITC Hotels Limited. It is a matter of pride for us to develop this new hotel with the vision and support of the Government of Bihar.”

Conveniently located just 10 km from Gaya International Airport, the hotel will be easily accessible from Gaya, as well as nearby cities like Patna, Asansol, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Varanasi. The project is expected to bolster Bodhgaya’s hospitality infrastructure, offering travellers a refined and culturally resonant stay.

This move by ITC Hotels further cements its commitment to promoting responsible tourism and regional development, aligning with Bihar’s growing efforts to enhance its pilgrimage and heritage tourism offerings.


Hyatt Centric Set to Debut in Anjuna, Goa by 2027

Hyatt Centric Set to Debut in Anjuna, Goa by 2027

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 4, 2025

Hyatt Hotels has unveiled plans to open a new Hyatt Centric hotel in the lively beach town of Anjuna, Goa, by 2027. The move marks a key milestone in Hyatt's expansion within India's booming leisure hospitality sector.

Owned by Deventure Hotel and Resorts and managed by Nile Hospitality, the upcoming Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa will be strategically located to attract a mix of leisure and business travellers, as well as small groups seeking Anjuna’s eclectic beach culture and nightlife.

Set to offer 150 keys, the hotel will feature a range of accommodations, from standard king and twin guest rooms to modern suites. Guests can expect a vibrant array of lifestyle amenities, including two restaurants with seasonal outdoor dining, a deli, a bar, and flexible spaces for meetings and events.

Dhruva Rathore, Vice President, Development, India & South West Asia, Hyatt, commented,

“The signing of this deal for Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa marks a significant milestone in thoughtfully expanding Hyatt’s portfolio in India, particularly in a destination as dynamic as Anjuna. We are incredibly excited to introduce a hotel brand that truly immerses guests in the local culture, reflecting the vibrant spirit of this iconic Goan locale."

Rajeev Mukul, Chairman of Deventure Hotel and Resorts, added,

“We are proud to collaborate with Hyatt on the forthcoming opening of Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa. Our aim is to create a distinctive lifestyle destination that resonates with both leisure and business travellers. With the expertise of Nile Hospitality and Hyatt’s global brand strength, we are confident this hotel will become a landmark in Anjuna.”

This announcement follows Hyatt’s consistent growth trajectory in India. With eight Hyatt Centric properties already operating in the country, the brand is steadily making its mark in India’s upscale lifestyle space. Last year, Hyatt also opened a Centric property in Bengaluru, Karnataka, further strengthening its presence in urban and leisure destinations.

Globally, Hyatt operates more than 1,450 hotels and all-inclusive properties across 79 countries, reaffirming its commitment to creating locally inspired, immersive hospitality experiences.


Lemon Tree Hotels Expands in Gujarat, Uttarakhand & Himachal with Three New Properties

Lemon Tree Hotels Expands in Gujarat, Uttarakhand & Himachal with Three New Properties

By Hariharan U

Published on August 4, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels has announced the signing of three new properties, marking a strong move into key destinations across Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The new additions include Lemon Tree Hotel in Surat, Lemon Tree Hotel in Rudrapur, and Lemon Tree Resort in Dalhousie.

These properties will be managed by Carnation Hotels Pvt. Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. Each hotel is designed to offer modern comforts with a regional charm, staying true to the brand's commitment to quality and service.

The Surat property will house 85 well-appointed rooms, along with a restaurant, banquet area, meeting room, swimming pool, spa, and more. It’s located about 12 km from Surat International Airport and 15 km from the city’s railway station, with convenient access to both public and private transport.

In Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, the Lemon Tree Hotel will offer 84 rooms, a restaurant, conference hall, swimming pool, fitness centre, and other amenities. The hotel is just 4 km from the Rudrapur City Railway Station and around 15 km from Pantnagar Airport.

Meanwhile, the Lemon Tree Resort in Dalhousie is set to feature 75 rooms along with a restaurant, banquet space, a spa, swimming pool, and additional leisure options. It’s roughly 79 km from Pathankot Railway Junction and around 200 km from Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar, well-connected by road for easy travel.

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Commenting on the development, Kapil Sharma, Executive Vice President - Finance & CFO of Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “We are delighted at the three-pronged expansion. The launch of these new properties not only reinforces our presence in these states but also aligns with our broader strategy for sustained growth across key markets like Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh”.

These additions reflect Lemon Tree’s consistent focus on expanding its footprint across India while bringing signature hospitality experiences to both business and leisure travellers


Wyndham to Expand Network with Five Ovolo Hotels Across Australia and Hong Kong

Wyndham to Expand Network with Five Ovolo Hotels Across Australia and Hong Kong

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 3, 2025

In a strategic move that boosts its lifestyle hospitality offerings, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Ovolo Group, announcing the integration of five Ovolo hotels into Wyndham’s global portfolio by the end of this year. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Wyndham’s Asia Pacific expansion, bringing more than 450 rooms across key cities—Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hong Kong—into its fold.

Under the agreement, Ovolo Group will retain ownership and operational control of its properties while capitalising on Wyndham’s global scale, franchising expertise, and powerful distribution and marketing infrastructure. This strategic alignment enables both parties to grow their presence without compromising on brand integrity or experience quality.

Shivang Jhunjhnuwala, Chief of Staff, Ovolo Group, stated,

“Ovolo isn’t just a hotel brand—it’s a lifestyle, a creative force that fuses fashion, art, music, and entertainment. Now, through our partnership with Wyndham, we’re flipping the script to unlock bold new growth opportunities by franchising a lifestyle brand without diluting its DNA.”

Founded in 2010, Ovolo has built a distinctive identity rooted in culture-led design and guest experience, setting itself apart from traditional hospitality offerings. The partnership allows Wyndham to tap into this unique appeal and further diversify its presence in the upscale lifestyle segment.

Joon Aun OOI, President, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific, said,

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for Wyndham, further expanding our upscale presence in the Asia Pacific region by combining Ovolo’s strengths in the lifestyle segment with our extensive global network. The future of travel isn’t about sameness—it’s about spaces with soul, brands with a point of view, and experiences that don’t blur into the background.”

Through this collaboration, the five Ovolo properties will gain access to Wyndham’s sales, marketing, and distribution platforms, increasing visibility and unlocking new commercial potential. They will also be integrated into the Wyndham Rewards® loyalty programme, offering guests enhanced value and flexibility.

With this alliance, Wyndham continues to strengthen its foothold in high-growth urban markets while reinforcing its position as a global leader in hotel franchising.

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