ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar Win Special Jury Award for Water Efficiency at FICCI Water Awards 2024

ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar Win Special Jury Award for Water Efficiency at FICCI Water Awards 2024

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 27, 2025

ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar have been recognized for their exceptional water efficiency practices, winning the Special Jury Award in the “Industrial Water Efficiency” category at the FICCI Water Awards 2024. This prestigious accolade underscores their commitment to Responsible Luxury, sustainability, and advanced water management.

Sustainability at the Core

Both hotels are LEED Platinum-certified and follow global eco-friendly standards in design and operations. ITC Sonar is also the second hotel in the world to receive the LEED Zero Water Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, setting a benchmark for sustainable water management. This certification ensures that the hotel balances total potable water consumption with alternative or recycled water use, pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the hospitality industry.

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Pioneering Water Efficiency Initiatives

ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar have implemented cutting-edge water-saving measures to enhance efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint. Key initiatives include:

Scale and Bio-Removal System (SBR) for efficient wastewater treatment
High-efficiency laundry machines & dishwashers that use minimal water
Automatic chiller tube cleaning system to optimize cooling processes
SunyaAqua (Zero Mile Travelled Water) – a sustainable in-house water bottling system
Water pressure management across the entire property
Rainwater harvesting for conservation and reuse
100% wastewater recycling for room flushing, HVAC cooling towers, and irrigation

These initiatives ensure that the hotels not only optimize water performance but also actively contribute to decarbonization and Net Zero Carbon goals.

Leaders in Green Hospitality

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Commenting on the achievement, Gaurav Soneja, Cluster General Manager, ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar, said:

"This accolade highlights our dedication to integrating sustainability into our core operations. At our hotels, we believe that luxury and sustainability can seamlessly coexist. This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to offering a one-of-a-kind experience in a carefully nurtured environment, defining our ethos of Responsible Luxury."

Amitava Bhattacharya, Head of Technical Services at ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar, added:

"Our journey towards Net Zero Water includes advanced water-efficient systems, high-efficiency laundry machines, automatic chiller tube cleaning, and rainwater harvesting. These innovations optimize water performance, ensuring our hotel leads in water efficiency."

Setting a Benchmark for Sustainable Hospitality

With their grand architecture, cultural integration, and commitment to environmental stewardship, ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar stand as icons of sustainability in Kolkata. Their success at the FICCI Water Awards 2024 reaffirms their leadership in green hospitality, proving that luxury can be both opulent and environmentally responsible.


The Leela Gandhinagar Marks Earth Hour with Sustainability Initiatives

The Leela Gandhinagar Marks Earth Hour with Sustainability Initiatives

By Hariharan U

Published on April 1, 2026

The Leela Gandhinagar marked Earth Hour 2026 with a focused set of sustainability-driven initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to responsible hospitality and environmental stewardship.

As part of the global movement, the hotel switched off non-essential lighting and reduced power consumption across key areas for 60 minutes, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The symbolic gesture reflected a collective effort towards climate awareness while maintaining the refined standards associated with luxury hospitality.

Beyond the hour, the initiative underscored the hotel’s broader sustainability philosophy. From energy-efficient systems to responsible resource management, environmentally conscious practices are integrated into its day-to-day operations, aligning with the evolving expectations of modern travellers.

Speaking on the occasion, Vikas Sood said, “Earth Hour reminds us that meaningful change begins with small yet consistent actions. At The Leela Gandhinagar, sustainability remains integral to how we operate and deliver thoughtful luxury experiences.”

Through its participation, the hotel continues to build on its commitment to sustainable hospitality, contributing to a more responsible and environmentally aware future.


Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle Marks Three Years of Hospitality and Guest Experiences

Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle Marks Three Years of Hospitality and Guest Experiences

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 31, 2026

Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle marked its third anniversary on 28th March, celebrating three years of hospitality, memorable guest experiences, and a growing presence in the city. Over this period, the hotel has welcomed guests from across India and abroad, hosted over 30 distinguished celebrities, and maintained a strong position among top properties on TripAdvisor since its opening.

While these milestones highlight its journey, the hotel places equal importance on the moments it has shared with its guests. Over the years, it has grown into more than just a place to stay, becoming a space where people come together for celebrations, conversations, and memorable experiences. The return of familiar faces and continued guest trust have played a key role in shaping its journey.

A key part of the hotel’s identity is its dining approach. Known for its 100% vegetarian, sattvic cuisine, the hotel focuses on meals that are prepared with care and authenticity, while also keeping well-being in mind. This thoughtful approach has helped create a strong connection with guests who value both taste and mindful dining.

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Speaking on the occasion, Ritesh Mudgal, General Manager, said:

"These three years have been incredibly special for us. Beyond numbers and milestones, it’s the relationships we’ve built and the memories we’ve been part of that truly define our journey. We are deeply grateful to our guests for their continued trust and support."

Looking ahead, Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle remains focused on growing further while continuing to offer experiences that reflect warmth, comfort, and flavour.

Three years. Countless memories. Infinite flavours.


Grand Continent Hotels Enters Delhi NCR with Gurugram Launch

Grand Continent Hotels Enters Delhi NCR with Gurugram Launch

By Hariharan U

Published on March 31, 2026

Grand Continent Hotels Limited has marked its entry into the Delhi NCR region with the launch of a new property in Gurugram, signalling a significant step in its North India expansion strategy. The move builds on the brand’s strong presence in South India while tapping into one of the country’s most dynamic business hubs.

Located in Sector 45, Greenwood City, the property is positioned to cater to corporate travellers, long-stay guests, and domestic leisure segments. With close proximity to key business districts and connectivity points, the hotel is designed to offer a practical and comfortable stay aligned with evolving mid-market hospitality expectations.

Further strengthening its presence in the city, the company has also signed a new 56-key hotel near the Google office in Gurugram. This dual development underlines the brand’s intent to scale rapidly in high-demand micro-markets across NCR.

The launch comes as the company expands its footprint to 30 properties across 17+ cities, with over 1,800 keys. Its growth has been driven by a focus on high-demand urban locations, standardized service delivery, and efficient operational models that appeal to both business and leisure travellers.

Commenting on the expansion, Ramesh Siva said, “The launch in Gurugram marks an important step in our growth journey. Having established a strong foundation in South India, we are now focused on expanding across key North Indian markets including Delhi NCR, Ayodhya, Jaipur, Varanasi, Somnath and Rameswaram. Strengthening our presence in the city further, we have also signed a 56-key hotel near the Google office in Gurugram. Over the next two years, we plan to add 15 hotels across these key cities as we continue to build a scalable and sustainable hospitality network.”

The Gurugram hotel features 38 rooms, including Premium Rooms with balconies and Deluxe Rooms, designed with contemporary interiors and equipped with essential amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, minibar, and workspaces. The property also houses a multi-cuisine restaurant, fitness centre, banquet and conference spaces, catering to both business meetings and small-format events.

With rising demand for organised mid-market hospitality across NCR and emerging destinations, North India is expected to play a critical role in the company’s growth. Its expansion strategy will focus on asset-light models, strategic partnerships, and high-demand locations to drive scalability and operational efficiency.

The Gurugram launch not only marks a geographic milestone but also reinforces Grand Continent Hotels’ long-term vision of building a pan-India hospitality platform centred on consistency, accessibility, and value-driven offerings.

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