Marriott Executive Apartments Makes Debut in Penang

Marriott Executive Apartments Makes Debut in Penang

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 5, 2024

Marriott Executive Apartments has launched its first location in Malaysia, situated in the prominent Gurney Drive area of Penang. This new property joins the Penang Marriott Hotel and Marriott Residences Penang at this well-known seafront location. The new Marriott Executive Apartments Penang offers long-stay accommodations with the luxury and service expected from Marriott. Guests can enjoy separate living and sleeping areas, gourmet kitchens, and amenities like fitness and business centers, along with 24-hour security and dedicated staff.

Ramesh Jackson, Area Vice President for Indonesia and Malaysia at Marriott International, expressed enthusiasm about the new opening. “We are thrilled to expand our footprint in Malaysia with the Marriott Executive Apartments Penang. Our goal is to offer guests a home away from home, balancing privacy, comfort, and hospitality. This location is designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s travelers, whether they are here for business or leisure.”

The property is ideally positioned along Gurney Drive, providing scenic views of Gurney Bay and convenient access to local attractions. Guests can visit nearby shopping centers like Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon Mall or explore local food options at the famous Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town is also nearby, along with natural attractions like Penang National Park and Penang Hill.

Marriott Executive Apartments Penang features 90 suites in one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. Each suite is equipped with a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a spacious living area. The apartments offer a comfortable home-like atmosphere while providing the benefits of hotel services. Guests have access to a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor infinity pool, and a steam room.

Dining options include access to the Penang Marriott Hotel’s restaurants. Kucina offers Italian cuisine, while Sago serves a mix of local and international dishes. Lava Java provides quick snacks and energy boosts, and the Greatroom bar and lounge is ideal for evening cocktails. La Siena offers a versatile dining space with a range of food and beverage choices.

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For events, the Marriott Executive Apartments Penang provides access to the Penang Marriott Hotel’s event spaces, including a grand ballroom and five flexible function rooms equipped with modern technology.

Subash Basrur, Complex General Manager, highlighted the excitement of this new addition. “We are excited to introduce the first Marriott Executive Apartments in Malaysia and offer this unique accommodation option in Penang. Our curated services ensure a blend of indulgence, relaxation, and revitalization. We look forward to providing guests with exceptional service and creating memorable experiences.”

With its long-term rates and Marriott Bonvoy affiliation, Marriott Executive Apartments Penang promises an exceptional hospitality experience where every stay is designed to be memorable.


Hotel Broadway Marks 70 Years, Chor Bizarre Celebrates 35 Years as the Iconic Delhi Landmark Reopens

Hotel Broadway Marks 70 Years, Chor Bizarre Celebrates 35 Years as the Iconic Delhi Landmark Reopens

By Hariharan U

Published on November 25, 2025

Hotel Broadway, one of Delhi’s most loved heritage hotels, has completed 70 years and reopened as part of the Alivaa Collection. The property, which first came up in 1956, has been refreshed with a new look while keeping its old-world charm intact. For three generations, the hotel has been a warm and familiar stay for guests, and the relaunch aims to carry that legacy forward.

Just minutes away from Connaught Place and Old Delhi, the hotel sits in a sweet spot that connects guests to both the historic and modern sides of the city. The newly done-up rooms feature Indian art and photography, with a few spaces styled by artist Catherine Levy, known for her playful take on Indian pop and kitsch culture. The serene courtyard adds a cosy place for guests to relax with tea, cool drinks, or a quiet read. The hotel also continues to house the legendary Chor Bizarre, a restaurant that has been a favourite for 35 years.

The story of Hotel Broadway began when Mr. Tirath Ram Amla bought the land thinking he could build a winter home but ended up constructing a full hotel after discovering the terms. He entrusted architect A. P. Kanvinde, who had just returned from Harvard, to design the building. When the Art Deco–inspired hotel opened, it introduced several firsts for Delhi, including what was considered one of the earliest lifts in the city. Rooms with bed and breakfast were priced at Rs 15 for singles and Rs 42 for doubles rates that now feel like a slice of history.

Reflecting on the milestone moment, Rohit Khattar, Founder Chairman of Old World Hospitality, shared, “Reopening Hotel Broadway on its 70th anniversary is deeply special for us. My grandfather Mr. Tirath Ram Amla built it with great love in 1956, and my mother Mrs. Vijay Lakshmii Khattar operated it with great care till 2020. When I came back from the US in 1986, this was my first job and after renovating the hotel, my wife Rashmi and I opened our first restaurant, Chor Bizarre here in 1990. Therefore, the emotional connect for all of us at Old World Hospitality is immense. We are excited to now be a part of Alivaa Hotels’ terrific sales and marketing network which shall breathe new life into this iconic property.”

Sharing his vision for the road ahead, Vikramjit Singh, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, said,
Our vision for this hotel is to show case the culture, history and its timeless elegance to the world. Every room, every space carries the spirit of the era gone by, now re-imagined for today’s traveller to experience and cherish. This is just a start of our relationship with the legendary Rohit Khattar. Together, we plan to take his culinary expertise to our future hotels as well.”

The hotel is close to major Metro stations, railway hubs, and around 21 km from the airport, making it easy to move around the city. Popular spots such as Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Chandni Chowk, Dilli Haat, Janpath, and Hauz Khas are all within convenient reach.

Rooms range from compact Superior Singles to larger Superior Doubles and Deluxe Rooms. All rooms come with air conditioning, en suite bathrooms, tea and coffee setups, WiFi, and international sockets. Services include 24x7 reception, valet parking, luggage storage, room service, and various on-request facilities.

Chor Bizarre continues to be one of the biggest draws. Known for its quirky “thieves’ market” theme, it has been serving regional Indian cuisine, especially Kashmiri dishes, for over 35 years and remains a standout name in India’s dining scene.

About Old World Hospitality

Old World Hospitality began with Chor Bizarre in 1990 and has since developed several well-loved restaurant brands such as Indian Accent, Comorin, All American Diner, Oriental Octopus, Delhi ‘O’ Delhi, Past Times, and Eatopia. Many of these concepts have moved into EHV International, where they continue to expand across cities.

About Alivaa Hotels & Resorts

Alivaa Hotels & Resorts is an upscale brand backed by Ananta Capital, currently operating 25+ hotels across India. The company aims to reach 100 hotels under three brands Alivaa, Hoften, and Xenious—each designed for different types of travellers. This partnership strengthens Alivaa’s growing presence in the hospitality space.


Wyndham Rewards Partners with Beverly D'Angelo to Offer Members a Festive Status Upgrade

Wyndham Rewards Partners with Beverly D'Angelo to Offer Members a Festive Status Upgrade

By Hariharan U

Published on November 25, 2025

Wyndham Rewards has joined hands with Beverly D'Angelo loved worldwide for her iconic role as Ellen Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation—to bring members a special holiday surprise. This season, members can enjoy a complimentary one-level status upgrade, giving them better perks and a smoother travel experience.

Members can request their upgrade through WyndhamRewards.com/Upgrade, unlocking benefits like early check-in, late checkout, preferred rooms and even suite upgrades depending on their new tier. It’s a simple way to make holiday travel a bit more relaxed, especially for those planning trips to visit family and friends. For those already at Diamond level, registering unlocks 5x the points on qualified stays—the biggest bonus of the year.

Sharing the holiday spirit, Beverly D'Angelo said, "The holidays are full of joy, cheer and, let's be honest, a little chaos. Everyone's merry, everyone's messy and somehow, someone always ends up sleeping on the couch. That's where Wyndham Rewards comes in. With more than 20 brands and thousands of hotels, it's the simple way to stay close to family, without being too close. A real bed, extra perks and a little breathing room? Now that's how you brighten the season without tripping a breaker."

The program has four membership tiers Blue, Gold, Platinum and Diamond with each level offering additional benefits. With this festive upgrade, every member can enjoy at least Gold-level perks during the season.

Blue members get a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay along with free Wi-Fi and rollover nights. Gold members enjoy all Blue benefits plus preferred rooms, late checkout and a dedicated services line, along with 10% more points. Platinum members unlock early check-in and car rental upgrades at participating locations, earning 15% more points. Diamond members receive suite upgrades, a welcome amenity and 20% more points on every stay.

Mike Shiwdwin, GVP, Loyalty and Guest Engagement at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, "We all know what travel looks like this time of year, crowded airports, packed cars and family gatherings that always seem to grow by a few unexpected guests. Wyndham is here to help. Whether it's one night at a Days Inn, a long weekend at a La Quinta, or an all-out, well-deserved splurge at a beautiful Wyndham Grand, this upgrade is our way of reminding travelers that with Wyndham Rewards, every stay shines a little brighter."

The offer is open to Blue, Gold and Platinum members across the world. Anyone who isn’t enrolled can sign up for free and claim the upgrade immediately. Blue members move to Gold, Gold to Platinum, and Platinum to Diamond. Perks apply instantly, except for Caesars Rewards status match benefits which are excluded. Members availing this upgrade cannot register for the 5x points promotion.

Wyndham Rewards, part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, is known as one of the most generous hotel loyalty programs. With millions of members and thousands of hotels, vacation clubs and rentals worldwide, members enjoy a guaranteed 1,000 points per qualified stay and can redeem free nights starting at just 7,500 points.


OneTAC Launches Its First Udupi Experience Circuit at Bangalore Tech Summit

OneTAC Launches Its First Udupi Experience Circuit at Bangalore Tech Summit

By Hariharan U

Published on November 22, 2025

Marking a major moment for India’s experience economy, OneTAC (Tourism, Arts & Culture), the country’s first digital public infrastructure dedicated to tourism, arts, and culture, rolled out its very first Experience Circuit in Udupi at the Bangalore Tech Summit. The launch was attended by Prashant Prakash, Chair of the Karnataka Vision Group on Startups and Partner at Accel, along with Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Karnataka. OneTAC also holds formal endorsement from the Ministry of Tourism under the Incredible India campaign.

At the heart of the Udupi Circuit is a strong network of collaborators. CulKey Foundation leads cultural engagement and ecosystem development; Samhita focuses on livelihoods and community mobilisation; GoodPass brings last-mile discovery and distribution technology; RubiX connects experience entrepreneurs through supplier aggregation; and Paradise Group supports operations, hospitality, and on-ground logistics. Together, they are building a model for community-driven tourism designed to scale across India.

Speaking at the launch, Prashant Prakash said that tourism and culture have the power to drive truly inclusive growth. He noted that OneTAC brings a digital public infrastructure mindset to the sector, giving artisans, creators, and local communities a shared digital backbone where their skills become discoverable, their knowledge verifiable, and their work scalable. According to him, the combination of rich culture and open technology opens a new pathway of opportunity for the state and the country.

The first cohort under the Udupi Experience Circuit includes 20 experience entrepreneurs and service providers. These creators represent six categories of experiences and over 15 curated trails. More circuits and creators will join the platform over the next 180 days as the ecosystem expands across Coastal Karnataka.

Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, added that launching OneTAC in Udupi reflects the state’s commitment to community-led tourism and cultural revival. He shared that OneTAC will work alongside the upcoming Karnataka Centre for Cultural Diplomacy (KCCD), which aims to present Karnataka’s culture from art and heritage to cuisine and folk traditions, on global platforms and strengthen ties with international missions. Together, these initiatives intend to empower cultural entrepreneurs and make Karnataka a globally connected, future-ready tourism hub.

Udupi was chosen as the starting point because of its blend of heritage, natural beauty, and creative energy. The region is rich with temple culture, Daiva traditions, Yakshagana, and folk arts, while also being home to a thriving youth-led ocean community shaped by surfing, scuba diving, and kayaking. Its backwaters, mangroves, and proximity to the Western Ghats add ecological depth, and its coastal cuisine completes the cultural landscape. The strength of Udupi lies in its people, fisherfolk, artists, storytellers, home chefs, naturalists, folk performers, and young innovators who keep the region’s culture alive every day.

Prathima Manohar, Director of GoodPass and Paradise Group, and Co-Curator of the Udupi Circuit, said that the future of tourism will be shaped not only by large businesses but by local creators who keep community identity intact. She highlighted that India needs to create 8 million jobs annually to reach developed economy status, and that real progress will come when opportunities reach the grassroots. According to her, OneTAC is an investment in dignity, livelihoods, and community-led growth — ensuring that local entrepreneurs thrive while cultural richness is preserved.

Guests at the launch had the chance to meet storytellers and creators from across Coastal Karnataka who brought the flavours, rituals, crafts, and landscape of the region to life. Udupi’s culinary identity — from neer dosa and puli munchi to prawn sukka — appeared alongside stories from performers, adventure entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners. The circuits span temple and heritage trails, wilderness and nature experiences, coastal culinary journeys, adventure and ocean culture, wellness traditions, and the soulful world of Tulu Nadu.

OneTAC also announced the OneTAC Impact Fund, a joint effort between the State Government and market partners. The fund aims to help micro experience entrepreneurs grow their operations and expand their livelihood opportunities, beginning with the Udupi cohort and eventually supporting circuits across Karnataka.

Travellers are invited to explore the Udupi Experience Circuit, which brings together culture, cuisine, nature, wellness, and the warmth of local communities. With OneTAC, Udupi becomes a gateway to authentic, immersive journeys rooted deeply in identity and place.

About OneTAC:

OneTAC is India’s national digital public infrastructure for tourism, arts, and culture. It connects creators, communities, institutions, and travellers with the goal of unlocking India’s cultural capital and building sustainable, future-ready livelihoods

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