ITC Hotels Celebrates Major Milestone with Welcomhotel Expansion

ITC Hotels Celebrates Major Milestone with Welcomhotel Expansion

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 28, 2024

ITC Hotels, India's leading hospitality chain, has reached a significant milestone with the opening of its 25th property under the Welcomhotel brand. The newest addition, Welcomhotel Belagavi in Karnataka, reflects ITC Hotels’ strategy to expand while maintaining exceptional service and hospitality standards.

The Welcomhotel brand has become a key driver for ITC Hotels’ growth. Over the past five years, the brand has opened seven managed hotels and three owned properties, adding a total of 916 rooms. In the most recent financial year, four new management deals with 406 rooms were signed, with these properties expected to open within the next four to five years.

Anil Chadha, Chief Executive of ITC Hotels, highlighted the significance of this expansion, stating, “The expansion of the Welcomhotel brand is a significant achievement for ITC Hotels. Welcomhotel is the new age travellers’ key to curated immersive experiences. Present in locations ranging from hills to beaches, and deserts to cities, the opening and signing of more properties under the brand Welcomhotel is aligned with ITC Hotels’ asset right growth strategy to take our brand and services to tier-2 markets in addition to prime metro cities. Welcomhotel Belagavi, our 25th property, embodies our endeavour to create unparalleled hospitality experiences, ensuring that guests enjoy a stay that is both luxurious and in harmony with the environment. We look forward to continuing this journey of growth and excellence.”

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Located in the serene area of Kakati, Welcomhotel Belagavi offers stunning views of hills and greenery. This new property spans over five acres and is conveniently located near the airport, making it a prime destination for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel features 116 well-appointed rooms, each with a balcony offering peaceful views of the landscape.

The architecture and interior design of Welcomhotel Belagavi reflect the local beauty and vibrant lifestyle of Belagavi, blending classic and contemporary elements. Emphasizing geometric shapes and large windows, the design ensures natural light floods the spaces. The interiors celebrate Belagavi's monsoon rains with art pieces, a water droplet sculpture, and a crystal chandelier.

The hotel caters to various events with nine versatile venues, including two grand ballrooms, a conference room, an open sky deck, and three lush lawns, making it an ideal location for weddings and business gatherings.

Welcomhotel Belagavi offers diverse dining options. WelcomCafe serves global and regional Indian cuisine all day, while Dough & Co. provides freshly baked treats and beverages. Swizzle Bar offers classic and signature cocktails with finger food. The WelcomSthalika menu features curated dishes from North Karnataka, showcasing the region's culinary heritage.

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Guests can also enjoy a well-equipped fitness center, an outdoor infinity swimming pool, and the renowned K by Kaya Kalp spa, offering traditional therapies for a rejuvenating experience.

Basava Prasad Jolle, Managing Director of Jolle Hospitality Group, expressed pride in the new addition, stating, “Brand Welcomhotel is very popular with guests and we are extremely proud to bring Welcomhotel Belagavi to this city, which boasts a rich cultural heritage and is also a prominent business destination. This hotel is a perfect blend of modern amenities and local cultural elements, providing our guests with a unique and enriching experience.”

Focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, ITC Hotels continues to lead the hospitality industry, providing exceptional stays that honor tradition and the environment. The expansion of the Welcomhotel brand across India exemplifies the brand's focus on strategic growth and commitment to excellence. As ITC Hotels grows its footprint, guests can look forward to more unique and enriching experiences blending contemporary luxury with local cultural elements.


City Centre-II Launches in Dwarka With Cinépolis, McDonald's, Starbucks and a Clear Vision for Neighbourhood Retail

City Centre-II Launches in Dwarka With Cinépolis, McDonald's, Starbucks and a Clear Vision for Neighbourhood Retail

By Hariharan U

Published on March 22, 2026

West Delhi's retail and entertainment landscape just got a meaningful addition. Pratham Group, a joint venture of Unity Group, HL Group, and RP Group, has officially launched City Centre-II in Sector 12, Dwarka, inaugurating the project with a special screening of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. It's a fitting opener for a destination that has entertainment at its core.

Designed as a neighbourhood-centric development, City Centre-II has been built around the everyday needs and lifestyle aspirations of Dwarka's growing residential community. The focus isn't on scale for its own sake but on relevance, proximity, and the kind of consistent daily engagement that makes a retail destination genuinely useful rather than just occasionally visited.

The centrepiece of the launch is Dwarka's first Cinépolis multiplex, featuring five state-of-the-art auditoriums with a combined seating capacity of over 750. For a micro-market that has long lacked organised entertainment infrastructure, this is a significant addition that positions City Centre-II as the primary leisure destination for the catchment.

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The F&B mix reinforces that community-first intent. McDonald's, Starbucks, Café Delhi Heights, The Sanook Kitchen, Brick and Brew, Berco's, Scoop Wonder, and Tealive are all part of the lineup. McDonald's and Third Wave Coffee have already commenced operations, with the remaining outlets set to open in phases over the coming months.

Harsh Vardhan Bansal, Co-Founder of Unity Group and Vegas Mall, explained the thinking behind the project. "Neighbourhood retail today is no longer about scale; it's about relevance, accessibility, and everyday engagement. With City Centre-II, our focus is to create a destination that seamlessly integrates into the lifestyle of Dwarka's residents. The introduction of organised entertainment through Cinépolis India, along with a thoughtfully curated F&B mix, reflects a clear shift towards experience-led consumption within local catchments. We believe the future of retail lies in such hyperlocal ecosystems that combine convenience with quality, creating spaces that people don't just visit occasionally, but engage with consistently."

For Dwarka's residents, City Centre-II fills a gap that has been felt for a while. A proper multiplex, recognisable food brands, and a thoughtfully put-together destination within the neighbourhood is exactly the kind of infrastructure a growing residential micro-market needs.


Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Unveils GDV 2.0 at Gadda Da Vida

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Unveils GDV 2.0 at Gadda Da Vida

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 22, 2026

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has introduced GDV 2.0 at its popular beachfront venue, Gadda Da Vida, bringing in a refreshed menu and a renewed dining experience. Set along Juhu Beach, the space now offers a stronger coastal focus, blending seafood-led dishes with thoughtfully paired cocktails, all against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea.

GDV 2.0 goes beyond a simple menu update. It brings a more refined approach to both food and drinks, while keeping the lively and social vibe that Gadda Da Vida is known for. The setting, especially during sunset, continues to draw guests looking for a relaxed yet vibrant sundowner experience.

The menu now highlights a range of seafood dishes, including Lobster Tail with Mustard Butter, Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter, Caribbean Blackened Snapper with Plantain Purée, and Miso Glazed Seabass. Other additions such as Charcoal-Grilled Prawns in Jerk Marinade and Fish Cafreal with Smoked Potato Mash reflect a mix of bold flavours and fresh ingredients, presented in a more elevated style.

Alongside these, the menu introduces shareable plates designed for group dining. Options like Fennel-Smoked Fried Prawns, Jerk Chicken Skewers, and Crispy Calamari Rings sit alongside vegetarian dishes such as Malvani Soy ‘Tacos’ and Truffle Mushroom Xacuti Tartlets, offering variety for different preferences.

The dining experience is rounded off with desserts that carry forward the tropical theme. Guests can choose from Tropical Fruit Pavlova, Coconut Mango Panna Cotta, and Espresso Tiramisu, adding a sweet finish to the coastal-inspired menu.

A key highlight of GDV 2.0 is its curated cocktail pairing. Signature drinks such as Angel’s Delight, Synapse Sour, Temple Smoke, Gadda's Secret and Plumnori are crafted to complement the food, with layered flavours and balanced profiles enhancing the overall experience.

With contemporary plating and an emphasis on mixology presentation, the venue also adds a visual element to dining, making it more engaging for guests. The overall setting now feels more energetic, turning a simple meal into a complete sensory experience.

With this update, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to strengthen its position as a leading beachfront destination in the city. By bringing together well-curated cuisine, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere, Gadda Da Vida evolves into a space that goes beyond dining to offer a memorable sundowner experience.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach said, “With GDV 2.0, our vision was to go beyond a menu refresh and reimagine the entire beachfront experience at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Gadda Da Vida has always been synonymous with sundowners, and this change allows us to align the culinary narrative more closely with our seaside setting. With this menu revamp, we aim to elevate the value proposition of our F&B portfolio while reinforcing our standing as one of Mumbai’s most dynamic beachfront hospitality destinations.”


Ekta Nagar Is Quietly Becoming One of India's Most Interesting Travel Destinations - Here's Why

Ekta Nagar Is Quietly Becoming One of India's Most Interesting Travel Destinations - Here's Why

By Hariharan U

Published on March 21, 2026

Most people know Ekta Nagar as the home of the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue. But the destination is becoming considerably more than that single landmark, and travellers who make the trip are discovering a place that genuinely rewards spending more than an afternoon there.

Since their launch during Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, IHCL's Vivanta and Ginger properties in Ekta Nagar have been welcoming a growing number of travellers drawn by the region's unique combination of cultural significance, natural beauty, and modern hospitality. Located just three kilometres from the Statue of Unity, both properties are well-positioned as bases for exploring everything the destination has to offer.

The experiences around Ekta Nagar are more varied than most first-time visitors expect. The Narmada Aarti at the Narmada Ghats is a genuinely moving experience, the kind that stays with you in the way that the best travel moments do. Aarogya Van offers a wellness-focused nature experience, while the Miyawaki Forest brings a different kind of green immersion to the destination. The Maze Garden and Glow Garden add leisure and visual appeal to a destination that already has plenty of substance.

At Vivanta Ekta Nagar, one of the standout dining experiences is the Ekta Thali, a thoughtfully curated spread that celebrates India's culinary diversity by bringing together flavours from across the country in a single meal. It's the kind of offering that reflects the broader spirit of the destination itself: unity through variety.

Vivanta Ekta Nagar brings 127 rooms and suites to the destination alongside wellness and spa facilities, versatile dining options, and curated local excursions that help guests make the most of their time in the region.

Ginger Ekta Nagar offers 151 lean-luxe rooms with the Qmin restaurant serving a mix of global and local cuisine, fitness facilities, and modern meeting spaces for those combining leisure with work.

Together, the two properties give travellers flexible options depending on what kind of stay they're looking for, whether that's a more indulgent, experience-rich visit through Vivanta or a practical, well-designed stay through Ginger.

Ekta Nagar is still building its tourism story, but the foundations are strong. Cultural depth, natural attractions, good hospitality, and a location anchored by one of the world's most visited landmarks make it a destination that deserves more attention than it currently receives. For travellers looking for something beyond the obvious on their next Indian trip, this is one worth putting on the list

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