Lemon Tree Hotels Expands Aurika Brand with New Property in Surat, Gujarat

Lemon Tree Hotels Expands Aurika Brand with New Property in Surat, Gujarat

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 26, 2024

Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. has taken a significant step forward in expanding its upscale brand, Aurika Hotels & Resorts, by signing a new property in Surat, Gujarat. This latest addition, Aurika, Surat, is expected to open in FY 2030 and will be operated by Carnation Hotels Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary and the management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd.

Aurika, Surat is poised to offer guests an exceptional experience, featuring 175 aesthetically designed rooms and suites. The hotel will also boast a range of premium amenities, including Mirasa, an all-day dining restaurant, extensive banquet facilities with Ekaara as the ballroom, Aurum as the boardroom, a stunning swimming pool, and a rejuvenating spa.

Surat: A Blend of Industry and Culture

Known as the 'Diamond City of India,' Surat is a global powerhouse in diamond cutting and polishing, as well as a major producer of silk and synthetic fabrics, earning it the additional moniker of the 'Silk City.' Beyond its industrial acclaim, Surat is steeped in history, with landmarks such as the Dutch Garden and Surat Castle, which echo the city’s rich cultural and economic heritage. The meandering Tapi River adds to the city’s picturesque charm, making it a delightful destination for travelers.

Surat is also a food lover’s paradise, offering an array of delightful street food and traditional Gujarati dishes that showcase the region’s culinary diversity.

A Commitment to Upscale Hospitality

Commenting on the signing, Vilas Pawar, CEO of Managed and Franchise Business at Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of Aurika, Surat, marking our second Aurika property in Gujarat. This addition will further strengthen our presence in the state, where we currently operate seven hotels and have nine more in the pipeline. Aurika, Surat, will embody our commitment to upscale hospitality, offering guests an exceptional blend of opulence and local culture. We are excited to bring our distinctive experience to this vibrant city, ensuring it becomes a sought-after destination for both domestic and international travellers.”

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Aurika: Beyond the Unusual

Aurika hotels are known for being stylishly elegant yet comfortably informal, with a strong emphasis on design that reflects the soul of the destination. Each Aurika property has its own unique personality, featuring new-age dining and innovative entertainment options, complemented by invigorating fitness and wellness facilities. The brand’s essence lies in going 'beyond the unusual,' with service that is attentive and personal, yet unobtrusive.

Inspiring spaces, flawless delivery, and cutting-edge technological solutions ensure that guests at Aurika hotels can work, play, and relax effortlessly. This new property in Surat will continue this tradition, bringing a touch of luxury to one of India’s most vibrant cities.

About Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd.

Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. is a leading hotel chain in India, offering a wide range of accommodations across the country. With a focus on providing exceptional service and value, Lemon Tree Hotels continue to expand its presence, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

For more information, visit lemontreehotels.com.

Contact: lemontree@pragency.com


Gimlet Garden at AER, Four Seasons Mumbai Redefines Cocktail Culture with Culinary Flair

Gimlet Garden at AER, Four Seasons Mumbai Redefines Cocktail Culture with Culinary Flair

By Hariharan U

Published on October 31, 2025

High above Mumbai’s ever-buzzing skyline, AER at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai continues to set the tone for sophisticated evenings. Adding a refreshing new chapter to its story, the rooftop bar introduces Gimlet Garden, an enchanting hideaway of greenery and understated elegance that invites guests to unwind and savour the art of crafted cocktails.

At Gimlet Garden, cocktails aren’t just drinks they’re culinary adventures in a glass. The new menu draws inspiration from ports and coastal traditions across the world, turning familiar ingredients into bold expressions of culture. Think truffle and basil, tamarind and green apple, or even squid-infused gin paired with shiso leaf  creative combinations that redefine how a cocktail can taste and feel.

Each creation on the menu carries its own story. The Oaxaca Me Margata captures Mexico’s warmth through smoky agave, cacao, and chili, while the Citrus Caravan Paloma sparkles with grapefruit and kokum, a playful nod to global markets. The Siren’s Cove, blending coconut tequila, mulberry liqueur, sloe gin, and black tea, evokes the ocean’s rhythm, while Giloy brings layered complexity through tequila, Martini Extra Dry, Cointreau, D.O.M. Bénédictine, and subtle notes of Islay peat, Penja pepper, cucumber, shiso, and milk oolong. For those who crave something truly unexpected, the Pescadito transforms Peru’s iconic ceviche into a bright, savoury liquid experience.

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The menu extends beyond drinks, pairing each cocktail with globally inspired small plates. Dishes like The Bombay Guac, Salmon Ceviche with Peruvian Tiger’s Milk, and Truffle and Parmesan Fries complement the cocktails perfectly, creating a seamless connection between kitchen and bar.

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“Our new menu at Gimlet Garden is designed to take our guests on a journey,” says Nitesh Gandhi, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. “Each cocktail and dish is a narrative in itself, crafted with care, creativity, and intention. Whether at golden hour or under a starlit sky, Gimlet Garden offers an experience that is both intimate and inspiring, where every moment lingers long after the last sip.”

With panoramic views, lush ambience, and a spirit that celebrates flavour and artistry, Gimlet Garden at AER is more than a rooftop bar, it’s a sensory escape above the city, where mixology meets gastronomy and every visit turns into a lasting memory.


The LaLiT Mumbai Showcases “Cause of You bvby”, A Celebration of Art and Inclusivity

By Hariharan U

Published on October 31, 2025

The LaLiT Mumbai has once again reaffirmed its status as a beacon of art, culture, and inclusivity with the launch of “Cause of You bvby”, a visually stunning music video collaboration by Rahul Rajkhowa, ICONYK, and UpsideDown. Filmed inside the hotel’s magnificent 96-foot-high atrium, the video beautifully captures the creative spirit that defines The LaLiT Mumbai.

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This collaboration has quickly become the city’s latest buzz, not just for its music but for the space that made it possible. The LaLiT Mumbai, where architecture, sound, and soul meet serves as the perfect canvas for such artistic expressions.

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Some spaces don't just host you they inspire you. Grateful to collaborate with The LaLiT Group, a brand that truly celebrates art, music, and creativity. From the vibe to the vision, The LaLiT became our creative haven for this project,” shares Rahul Rajkhowa, National Award-winning singer-songwriter and one of India’s most versatile contemporary artists.

Rajkhowa has performed across 36 cities spanning India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bhutan, exploring sounds from Pop and Reggae to Hip Hop and Blues. Known for his global musical outlook, he became the first Indian artist to release an independent Korean collaboration album with RnB star Jimmy Brown. His work has appeared alongside major international artists like Jennie, Jungkook, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Rosé on Spotify editorial playlists, while he has shared the stage with icons such as Ne-Yo, Steve Vai, Ronan Keating, and The Lumineers.

Outside of music, Rahul also serves as a History teacher, Visiting Professor at IIM Ranchi, and the founder of Rajkhowa & Arya Aid, a non-profit that has helped over 2,500 flood-affected families in Assam and supported education in rural communities.

Joining forces with him, ICONYK, a Canada-born, India-based producer and composer, adds his signature sonic artistry to the track. Known for blending pop, poetry, and folk influences, ICONYK has modernised Assamese folk music, earned a National Award, composed for Sonakshi Sinha, and produced tracks for Sanjay Dutt’s Bhootni.

The LaLiT Mumbai, known for its grandeur and artistic soul, offers much more than luxury. Home to Asia’s largest atrium lobby, the property features remarkable artworks including Tripathga by Manmohan Bhaskar and Ashwamedha Turang by Satish Gujral. Regular live performances by Zoheb Khan of the Banaras Gharana add a touch of heritage and rhythm to the ambiance.

With collaborations like this, we celebrate creativity in all its forms,” says Rohit Sharma, General Manager, The LaLiT Mumbai. “At The LaLiT Mumbai, we see art as an emotion that connects people beyond boundaries. Our vision is to create spaces where creativity thrives, voices are heard, and inclusivity is embraced.”

With its artistic essence, exceptional hospitality, and inclusive spirit, The LaLiT Mumbai continues to be not just a luxury destination — but a living, breathing space for culture and connection


Ennismore to Open the First Lifestyle All-Inclusive Resort in Ras Al Khaimah

Ennismore to Open the First Lifestyle All-Inclusive Resort in Ras Al Khaimah

By Hariharan U

Published on October 30, 2025

Ennismore, the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, has announced the upcoming opening of SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, marking the brand’s first all-inclusive resort outside Europe and Ennismore’s debut lifestyle hotel in Ras Al Khaimah. The resort is slated to open in November 2025.

Set along Ras Al Khaimah’s spectacular coastline — where desert, mangroves, and mountains meet the turquoise Arabian Sea, SO/ Ras Al Khaimah brings a fashion-inspired aesthetic to a stunning beachfront escape. The property will feature 257 guestrooms and suites across seven categories, each offering uninterrupted sea views and interiors inspired by the region’s natural hues — sunset oranges, ocean teals, and stone neutrals — paired with walnut wood and bronze accents for warmth and elegance.

The resort will feature five distinct dining destinations curated by Ennismore’s Global F&B Platform. Guests can explore diverse culinary experiences at:

  • The Market, a casual all-day restaurant

  • Chiano, serving refined Mediterranean and Italian cuisine

  • Hadaba, offering Levantine-inspired dining

  • Floating World, a Pan-Asian and Japanese specialty restaurant

  • Savant, a high-energy cocktail bar with live entertainment on the 10th floor

Complementing the line-up are two pool bars, Cabini and Bungalow (an adults-only space) — along with an independent beach club. The property will also include event and meeting spaces, including a 345-guest function hall, pre-function area, and flexible workshop zones.

Wellness takes center stage at SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, with a spa featuring treatment rooms, sauna, and a cold-water pool. Guests can enjoy fitness classes, a 24-hour gym, or nearby outdoor activities including golf, horse riding, kayaking, and sunrise dune walks.

Strategically located at the entrance of Al Marjan Island, the resort will be part of a new wave of luxury developments in Ras Al Khaimah — home to cultural landmarks, designer boutiques, and the region’s first casino. According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the emirate recorded 1.28 million overnight visitors in 2024, reflecting a 12% increase in tourism revenue as it moves toward its goal of 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.

Ras Al Khaimah’s rise as an all-inclusive luxury destination follows the success of Rixos Bab Al Bahr and Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah, both of which set new benchmarks for immersive experiences that combine gastronomy, entertainment, and design. Building on this momentum, SO/ introduces a fresh, style-driven perspective to the all-inclusive segment.

The opening underscores Ennismore’s growth in the global lifestyle all-inclusive space, now boasting a portfolio of over 60 resorts representing more than 25,000 rooms worldwide. Recent milestones include Rixos Tersane Istanbul, SLS Playa Mujeres, and Hyde Bodrum, with upcoming projects across Mexico, Egypt, Dubai, and Vietnam.

SO/ Ras Al Khaimah will join Ennismore’s ALL Inclusive Collection, a curated platform that unites leading brands such as Rixos, SO/, Hyde, SLS, and Swissôtel. The collection redefines traditional all-inclusive stays by offering immersive luxury experiences with design, dining, and entertainment at their core.

Cenk Unverdi, COO of Rixos & All-Inclusive Collection - GCC, Central Asia & Europe, Ennismore, said, “Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing luxury destinations in the region, making it the perfect location to debut the first SO/ all-inclusive resort in the Middle East. Building on the success of Rixos through the ALL Inclusive Collection, we’re delighted to welcome the first lifestyle all-inclusive resort to the emirate. SO/ Ras Al Khaimah will offer a timeless, intimate take on the art of escape — where bold design, exceptional food, and creativity merge into a seamless experience.”

About Ennismore:
Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha, Ennismore is a global collective of entrepreneurial, founder-led brands that embody creativity, community, and purpose. A joint venture with Accor since 2021, Ennismore has grown into a leading lifestyle hospitality group with 16 brands, 180+ hotels, 500+ restaurants and bars, and 45+ branded residences across 40+ countries.

For more information, visit ennismore.com.

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