Melbourne has welcomed a new neighbour to its buzzing CBD with the opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first dual-branded development in Australia, alongside the new Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall, the 179-room property blends heritage character with contemporary design to create a stay that’s uniquely Melbourne.

The hotel is built behind four carefully preserved heritage façades, Diamond House, the Public Benefit Bootery, Allan’s, and the York Building – weaving the stories of jewellers, bootmakers, and retailers into a vibrant new hospitality experience. Each Hotel Indigo property reflects its neighbourhood, and here, Melbourne’s layered history and laneway culture set the tone.

“The opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins is a landmark moment for the revitalisation of Bourke Street Mall and surrounding laneways, and an opportunity for us to showcase exactly what the Hotel Indigo brand brings to Melbourne: a design-forward, neighbourhood-first experience,” shared General Manager, Scott Hamilton.

Developed by Steadfast Capital with interiors by global design firm Buchan and construction by Hickory, the property showcases a mix of intimate lobby spaces, interconnected areas, a courtyard, and dining destinations. Design nods to Melbourne’s past are everywhere – monkey motifs pay tribute to E.W. Cole’s famous Book Arcade, while a spiral staircase recalls Sidney Myer’s drapery store. Guests can also admire a three-storey Cabinet of Curiosities mural by Melbourne-based artist Lisa King, featuring symbolic nods to the city’s icons like the Australian Open and Queen Victoria Market.

 Guest rooms at Hotel Indigo combine style with thoughtful details. From coin-inspired room numbers engraved with E.W. Cole quotes to terrazzo side tables made from recycled Skyy Vodka bottles, every element ties back to Melbourne’s story. Rooms are equipped with modern comforts such as Wi-Fi, Chromecast-enabled TVs, and locally sourced minibar offerings from Little Lon Gin Distillery. Guests can choose from standard and premium rooms, as well as balcony suites that open to views of Little Collins Street.

 Beyond its rooms, Hotel Indigo offers amenities such as The Meeting Room for intimate gatherings, a fitness centre, and direct access to Melbourne Walk retail precinct, home to JD Sport’s largest Southern Hemisphere store and Pop Mart’s designer art toys. Its location puts guests within easy reach of the city’s arts, dining, and sporting attractions, with public transport at the doorstep and Melbourne Airport just 21 kilometres away.

With its opening, Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins not only adds a fresh chapter to IHG’s growing Australian presence but also brings a bold, design-led sanctuary that reflects Melbourne’s culture, history, and creativity. Guests booking the Opening Special can enjoy breakfast for two for just $1 extra on top of the best flexible rate.

Lemon Tree Hotels has announced the signing of its latest property Lemon Tree Hotel, Gaya, Bihar. The upcoming hotel will feature 56 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, banquet and meeting facilities, along with a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and other public spaces. The property will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, the management arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited.

Strategically located, the hotel offers easy access to both Bodhgaya Airport (14 km) and Gaya Railway Station (6 km), while being well-connected by road for public and private transport.

Commenting on the signing, Kapil Sharma, Executive Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “With this signing, we further enhance and strengthen our footprint in Bihar, where we operate one hotel and have one more upcoming. This aligns with our strategy of expanding our brand across the country to delight our guests with comfortable options.”

Lemon Tree Hotels has steadily grown since its first 49-room property in 2004. Today, the group welcomes over 1.5 million guests annually across 110+ operational hotels in 75+ cities in India and overseas, with a pipeline of 110+ upcoming properties. Its network spans metro hubs such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, along with tier II and III cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Kochi, and Indore. Internationally, Lemon Tree Hotels is present in Dubai, Bhutan, and Nepal.

With the new signing in Gaya, Lemon Tree continues to build on its reputation for comfort, consistency, and refreshing hospitality — serving both business and leisure travellers alike.

ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts has reached a new milestone with the addition of The Hoften Lotus Court in Greater Noida West, Uttar Pradesh, marking the 20th property in its growing portfolio. The launch strengthens ALIVAA’s footprint in a key market and aligns with its ambitious expansion strategy.

Operating under The Hoften brand, the hotel is designed for modern travellers seeking smart, efficient service combined with comfort and convenience.

Akash Bhatia, CEO of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts (Managed & Franchise Business), said, "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Hotel Lotus Court into The Hoften family and the wider ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts collection. Greater Noida is a dynamic destination, and this partnership enables us to offer our guests an even broader range of exceptional experiences. Hotel The Hoften Lotus Court perfectly embodies the unique charm and high standards of our brand, and we're confident it will be a valuable asset to our expanding portfolio."

Vikramjit Singh, Founder of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the strategic significance of Greater Noida, "As we strive to become a leading national player, Greater Noida holds a critical position in our roadmap. This signing establishes our foothold in the country's growing corporate hub. The upcoming Jewar Airport will be a game-changer, boosting business and leisure travel and creating immense opportunities for us."

Arjun Singh, owner of The Hoften Lotus Court, shared his excitement, "Joining forces with ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts and bringing Hotel Lotus Court under The Hoften brand is a momentous occasion for us. Their deep expertise and commitment to guest satisfaction perfectly complement our vision. This is our second property with the same brand, reflecting our confidence and commitment. We look forward to delivering memorable experiences to our guests."

This milestone reinforces ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts’ dedication to expanding its portfolio, delivering exceptional stays, and creating unforgettable experiences across India’s key travel destinations.

About ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts:
ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts is a dynamic hospitality group focused on creating exceptional guest experiences. Operating under the ALIVAA and The Hoften brands, the company emphasizes quality, innovation, and guest delight, offering memorable stays across established and emerging destinations.