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

North Bengal's tourism corridor keeps growing, and Summit Hotels and Resorts is making sure it has a strong presence in two of its most compelling locations. The homegrown hospitality chain has announced the signing of two new boutique properties: Summit Gulma River Resort in Siliguri and Summit Falling Water near Darjeeling, both 30-room stays built around nature, intimacy, and experiences that put the destination front and centre.

The Siliguri property, located in the Gulma area overlooking the scenic Gulma Tea Estate and a flowing river, is being developed as a boutique address that works equally well for leisure stays and event-led demand. The 30 rooms will include a mix of standard and studio-style options with kitchenettes for extended stay guests. An in-house restaurant, bar, spa, gym, and a banquet hall with capacity for around 150 guests make it a natural choice for boutique weddings, celebrations, and corporate gatherings in the tea garden belt. The property is expected to open on 15th August.

The second property is where things get particularly interesting. Summit Falling Water will be located at Rangbull, approximately 3 kilometres before Darjeeling town along the main highway. Drawing architectural inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater residence, the hotel is designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural landscape. It's built over a natural water stream that flows directly through the property, with all 30 rooms offering private balconies overlooking the stream and surrounding hills.

And then there's the detail that makes it truly special: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train track passes directly in front of the property, giving guests views of the heritage train from the hotel itself. Add seasonal snowfall during winter months and a planned restaurant, coffee shop, spa overlooking the stream, gym, and parking facilities, and this is the kind of property that earns its place on a travel wishlist before it even opens. Summit Falling Water is scheduled to open in early January 2027.

Sumit Mitruka, Founder of Summit Hotels and Resorts, shared the thinking behind both properties. "North Bengal continues to be one of the most compelling tourism regions in Eastern India, with demand driven by leisure travellers, weddings and the growing popularity of experiential hill destinations. Whether it is tea garden landscapes in the plains or a stream flowing through a hill property with views of the toy train, our aim is to create stays where the destination itself becomes the central experience for travellers."

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Siliguri, Summit Hotels and Resorts operates over 30 hotels and resorts across 17 plus destinations, making it East India's leading hospitality chain. With a target of 50 properties by 2030, these two signings are a clear step in that direction, staying true to the group's focus on boutique formats, local community employment, and experiences that genuinely reflect where they are located.

Twenty years is a long time in hospitality, and Holiday Inn Suites Kuwait Salmiya has spent every one of them building the kind of reputation that keeps guests coming back. The property recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and General Manager Saif Edeen Mohamad sat down to talk about what has made the hotel a consistent favourite for extended stay guests, regional visitors, and leisure travellers across two decades.

The hotel sits along Arabian Gulf Road in Salmiya, one of Kuwait's most vibrant commercial and lifestyle districts. Most floors offer panoramic views overlooking the Arabian Gulf, which sets a tone of calm and openness from the moment guests check in. It's a location that works equally well for business travellers who need convenience and leisure guests who want a relaxing base with easy access to the city's best retail, dining, and entertainment destinations.

With 92 studios and apartments across functional studios and spacious two-bedroom suites, the property has always been built with the extended stay guest in mind. Every unit includes a well-appointed workspace and modern amenities designed to recreate the comfort of home, which Mohamad identifies as central to the hotel's identity.

"Our aim remains to create a welcoming environment where guests feel comfortable immediately upon arrival and throughout their stay. We consistently focus on delivering a warm, homely atmosphere reflecting our enduring commitment to genuine hospitality and attentive service."

The dining offering at Holiday Inn Suites Kuwait Salmiya is notably strong for a property of its size. Seven restaurants cover an impressive spread of cuisines including Lebanese, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and American, making the hotel a genuine dining destination for both residents and outside visitors. It's the kind of variety that keeps extended stay guests from ever feeling like they're eating the same meal twice.

The property also has a fully equipped Edge Fitness Centre for guests looking to maintain their wellness routines during longer stays, a practical touch that matters more than it might seem for those spending weeks rather than days at a property.

From a location standpoint, the hotel scores strongly on convenience. Kuwait International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away. The Avenues Mall and 360 Mall are both nearby, and Kuwait City's business district is easily accessible. Sea views, seaside calm, and city convenience all from the same address is a combination that's hard to beat.

Two decades in, Holiday Inn Suites Kuwait Salmiya clearly knows what it does well and keeps doing it.