Manavatty: World’s First 0% Carb, Sugar & Fat Indian Arrack Wins Global Awards

Manavatty: World’s First 0% Carb, Sugar & Fat Indian Arrack Wins Global Awards

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 14, 2025

From Kerala’s vibrant heritage to international acclaim, Manavatty—hailed as the world’s first commercially produced Indian arrack with 0% carbs, sugar, or fat—is making waves in the global spirits industry. Created by UK Malayali entrepreneur John Xavier, originally from Kochi, this distinctive spirit has clinched two major honours: a Bronze Medal at the London Spirits Competition 2025 and the Spirit Bronze 2025 at the IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition) Annual Awards.

Manavatty, produced by London Baron Ltd., stands apart for its remarkable purity. It contains no preservatives or added colours and boasts a certified zero carb, fat, and sugar profile, all while delivering a smooth 44% alcohol content. Staying true to centuries-old fermentation and distillation techniques, the spirit’s quality has been rigorously verified by Campden BRI, London—a global authority in food and drink science.

Both the London Spirits Competition and the IWSC are respected for their rigorous evaluations that go beyond taste, assessing quality, value, packaging, and marketability. Manavatty’s wins underline its all-round excellence and strong appeal to today’s discerning consumers.

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The name “Manavatty” is a clever fusion of “Mana,” reflecting nature’s inherent power, and “Vatty,” symbolising traditional fermentation and distillation. This mirrors the brand’s mission to offer a contemporary take on Kerala’s rich spirit-making legacy.

“Our commitment to preserving the essence of tradition has led to this dual win,” shared John Xavier, Director of London Baron Ltd. “We’re focused on creating spirits that bar managers and mixologists truly want to use, and more importantly, that people love to drink.”

Manavatty is now available in 250 stores across the UK, at Prosi Supermarkets and restaurants in Vienna, throughout all Gray Mackenzie & Partners stores in the Gulf, at the CIAL Cochin Duty Free Shop, and is set to expand into more markets. Enthusiasts can also explore and order online at manavatty.com.


Le Méridien Ahmedabad Celebrates Raksha Bandhan with Family and Flavours

Le Méridien Ahmedabad Celebrates Raksha Bandhan with Family and Flavours

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 28, 2026

This Raksha Bandhan, Le Méridien Ahmedabad is inviting families to come together for a festive dinner centred around good food, warm hospitality and the special bond between siblings.

The celebration is designed as a relaxed evening where families can take a break from their daily routines, share conversations and enjoy time with each other. The festive spread will bring together a selection of Indian and global favourites, offering something for different generations and tastes.

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Adding to the evening will be live music, creating a warm and easy-going atmosphere while allowing families to enjoy their conversations and dining experience at their own pace.

The celebration goes beyond a festive meal, giving families a chance to reconnect, revisit familiar stories and celebrate relationships that remain an important part of their lives. With the warmth of Raksha Bandhan, a selection of favourites and contemporary hospitality, Le Méridien Ahmedabad brings families together around the table for an evening dedicated to togetherness and the enduring bond of siblinghood.


ITC Grand Chola Wins Net Zero Water Category at COOL Conclave 3.0

ITC Grand Chola Wins Net Zero Water Category at COOL Conclave 3.0

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 26, 2026

ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, has been named the Winner in the Net Zero Water Category at the COOL Conclave 3.0 – Decarbonisation Excellence Awards 2026. The recognition highlights the hotel’s continued efforts in water conservation, resource management and sustainable hospitality.

The award reflects ITC Grand Chola’s approach to making sustainability part of its daily operations while continuing to offer a luxury experience to guests. Its work in water conservation, reuse and efficient resource management has helped the hotel reduce its environmental impact through measurable practices. ITC Grand Chola holds LEED Platinum, LEED Zero Carbon and LEED Zero Water certifications, adding to its position as a leading example of sustainable luxury hospitality.

Beyond its sustainability initiatives, the Chennai hotel is also known for its strong connection with the heritage and culture of Southern India. Spread across eight acres, ITC Grand Chola takes inspiration from the Chola dynasty and the architectural traditions of the region.

Its design includes influences from the Brihadeeswara Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram Temple and Airavateswara Temple, creating a setting that brings together South Indian heritage, craftsmanship and luxury.

The hotel’s iconic Sangam lobby features carved balustrades, engraved stairways and detailed artistic elements, while the Grand Staircase showcases the symbolic Wheel of Life motif. These design elements give guests an experience that connects the hotel’s luxury offering with the region’s architectural legacy.

The latest recognition at the COOL Conclave 3.0 – Decarbonisation Excellence Awards adds to ITC Grand Chola’s sustainability achievements. With continued focus on environmental responsibility, resource efficiency and sustainable innovation, the hotel remains committed to shaping a more responsible approach to luxury hospitality in India and beyond.


Courtyard by Marriott Madurai Marks Eight Years of Hospitality and Growth

Courtyard by Marriott Madurai Marks Eight Years of Hospitality and Growth

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 25, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Madurai is celebrating its eighth anniversary, marking eight years of hospitality, culinary experiences and strong connections with the city. Since opening in 2018, the hotel has grown alongside Madurai’s tourism, business and hospitality sectors.

The property has built a strong presence among Leisure Travellers, Temple Tourists, Corporate Guests, MICE groups and Wedding celebrations. Over the years, it has continued to adapt to changing guest expectations while focusing on personalized and experience-led hospitality.

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Mr. V. Vasudevan, Chairman, said, “Eight years in Madurai is a milestone built on trust, commitment and strong relationships. We are proud to have grown alongside the city and look forward to creating greater value for Madurai’s hospitality landscape in the years ahead.”

The hotel is also seeing strong business momentum in 2026. During the first half of the year, Courtyard by Marriott Madurai recorded 25%+ growth, with occupancy crossing 85%. Hotel revenue grew by 19.9%, while occupancy growth stood at 8.8%.

Mr. C. Muralikrishnan, Managing Director, said, “Our eight-year journey reflects our ability to evolve with Madurai and its changing hospitality landscape. The strong growth this year reinforces our confidence in the city’s potential and our vision for the future.”

Food and beverage continues to be an important part of the hotel’s offering, with Madurai Kitchen becoming a prominent dining destination for both hotel guests and local diners. Its buffet, food festivals, brunches and curated culinary experiences have added to Madurai’s growing premium dining culture. The hotel has also strengthened its presence in the weddings and MICE segment, having hosted 25+ medical conferences, including national and global associations.

Mr. V. Akshay Ram, Executive Director, said, “Hospitality is ultimately about creating experiences that guests remember. Over the past eight years, we have continually evolved our offerings while staying committed to personalized service and meaningful guest experiences.”

Guest loyalty remains an important part of the hotel’s journey, with repeat guests returning year after year. The property also recorded record guest satisfaction in the first half of 2026. Alongside technology-led convenience, the hotel continues to focus on the human connection that remains central to hospitality.

Sustainability has also become part of the property’s daily operations. Its glass-bottle water plant and energy-efficiency initiatives have helped bring annual electricity consumption down from 2,980,550 kWh to 2,908,447 kWh, saving 72,103 kWh despite an 8.8% increase in occupancy and 19.9% growth in hotel revenue. Engineering-led operational practices have also helped reduce HLP costs from 9.4% to 8.4%.

Mr. Mahesh Padala, General Manager, said, “Our eighth anniversary is a celebration of our guests and our associates who make every experience special. The loyalty of our guests and record satisfaction this year inspire us to raise the bar even further.”

As Courtyard by Marriott Madurai enters its ninth year, the hotel will continue to focus on guest experience, F&B innovation, weddings, MICE, technology and sustainability, while growing alongside Madurai and contributing to the city’s evolving hospitality landscape.

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