Marriott Expands Luxury Portfolio with Iconic Property Conversions

Marriott Expands Luxury Portfolio with Iconic Property Conversions

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 6, 2024

Marriott International is set to expand its luxury offerings by converting three renowned U.S. properties into brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. This summer, The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, Turtle Bay Resort in O’ahu, and a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan will join Marriott’s distinguished collection of luxury hotels.

Leeny Oberg, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Development at Marriott International, highlighted the significance of these additions. “In the last few weeks, we finalized deals for conversions of three incredible properties, adding over 1,000 rooms to our system and continuing to underscore our commitment to luxury,” she said. These new properties further solidify Marriott’s leadership in the luxury hotel segment, which already boasts over 510 open hotels globally and another 234 in the pipeline.

New York City’s New Gem

The luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan is slated to join the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio on June 5. Positioned in the heart of the city, this property will offer guests proximity to iconic attractions such as Central Park, Times Square, The Museum of Modern Art, and Rockefeller Center. This move marks The Luxury Collection’s return to New York City, promising unparalleled urban luxury.

The Resort at Pelican Hill

Set to join Marriott’s luxury portfolio on July 1, The Resort at Pelican Hill is a five-star property located on the scenic coast of Newport Beach, California. The 504-acre resort features the renowned Pelican Hill Golf Club, which includes two 18-hole courses with breathtaking ocean views. The Irvine Company will retain ownership, while Marriott will manage the property, with plans to eventually convert it to a St. Regis hotel.

Turtle Bay Resort Joins The Ritz-Carlton

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Later this summer, Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of O’ahu, Hawai’i, will become part of The Ritz-Carlton brand. Known for its natural beauty, the resort includes oceanfront bungalows, luxurious suites, and ocean view rooms. Guests can enjoy seven secluded beaches, 12 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a variety of on-site amenities. The transition includes Host Hotels & Resorts’ acquisition of the property, with Marriott taking over management.

Dana Jacobsohn, Chief Development Officer for U.S. Luxury Brands & Global Mixed-Use at Marriott, emphasized the company's focus on growing its luxury segment. “Strengthening and growing our luxury pipeline is a top priority for the company, and I’m proud that Marriott remains the clear industry leader in the segment. We look forward to working closely with our owners and franchisees to provide best-in-class service and experiences to guests from around the world seeking out these incredible destinations,” she said. Marriott’s luxury portfolio includes seven dynamic brands: The Ritz-Carlton, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels.

For travelers seeking the pinnacle of luxury, these new additions promise exceptional stays in some of the most desirable locations in the United States.


Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Welcomes Festive Season with Joyful Cake-Mixing Ceremony

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Welcomes Festive Season with Joyful Cake-Mixing Ceremony

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 18, 2025

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach opened its festive season with its much-awaited annual cake-mixing ceremony, creating a lively afternoon filled with joy, high tea, and seaside celebrations. Held by the poolside, the event brought together guests, families, and culinary enthusiasts for a cherished pre-Christmas ritual that leads into the upcoming Tree Lighting Ceremony and New Year’s Eve festivities.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the sea, the celebration reflected the warm spirit of the season, showcased through the hotel’s popular F&B outlets, The Square, Gadda Da Vida, Sampan, Bageecha, and Péché Mignon. Guests joined hands with the hotel’s culinary team for the traditional cake-mixing ritual, symbolising community, togetherness, and the joy of giving.

The afternoon continued with an elegant seaside high tea featuring a curated selection of savoury bites, sweet treats, and refreshing beverages. The atmosphere carried the perfect blend of warmth and celebration, truly capturing the festive essence of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, shared, “Our annual cake-mixing ceremony is a celebration of togetherness and marks the beginning of our festive preparations. It is always heartening to see families, friends, and even first-time participants join hands in this joyous ritual, sharing laughter and creating memories. As these ingredients mature over the coming weeks, they will carry with them the warmth, camaraderie, and festive spirit that define this special time of the year.”

As the ceremony progressed, guests donned chef’s caps, aprons, and gloves, preparing to mix an aromatic blend of premium ingredients such as sultanas, candied ginger, macerated dates, crystallised fruit, and hand-picked nuts. These ingredients were combined with fine spirits to begin the months-long maturation process essential for the hotel’s signature Christmas offerings.

The lively ambience, enhanced by festive melodies and the soothing seaside backdrop, created a memorable experience for every participant. Families and friends came together to enjoy this unique tradition, marking the joyful beginning of the holiday season at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach.


Hilton Mumbai International Airport Opens Festive Season with Cake-Mixing Ceremony and Sunday Brunch

Hilton Mumbai International Airport Opens Festive Season with Cake-Mixing Ceremony and Sunday Brunch

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 18, 2025

Hilton Mumbai International Airport welcomed the festive season with a lively Cake-Mixing Ceremony followed by the hotel’s signature Sunday Brunch. The celebration marked the beginning of the hotel’s festive calendar and brought together media, influencers, key clients, and Hilton Honors members.

Guests took part in the traditional cake-mixing ritual, blending dry fruits, spices, and festive flavours that set the tone for the hotel’s Christmas preparations. The afternoon continued with an indulgent brunch featuring global cuisines, live stations, festive-inspired dishes, and artisanal desserts.

The hotel announced that this was only the start of its festive offerings. Guests can look forward to exclusive staycation and holiday packages, Nikkei Table, a Peruvian culinary experience hosted by Chef Vishag, and a special showcase celebrating the culture of Bengal curated by Chef Ananya Banerjee. The season will also include a Christmas Eve Dinner with classic holiday favourites, a grand Christmas Day Brunch for families, and the Big Bang New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring music, gourmet food, and memorable experiences.

Hilton Mumbai International Airport is set to create a festive season filled with culture, creativity, and unique culinary journeys, bringing a blend of tradition and innovation to its guests. More festive experiences will be announced through December and into the New Year.


Clarks Exotica Rings in the Festive Season with a Joyous Cake Mixing Celebration

Clarks Exotica Rings in the Festive Season with a Joyous Cake Mixing Celebration

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 13, 2025

Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa welcomed the festive season with its much-awaited annual Cake Mixing Ceremony, held at the scenic poolside of the Clubhouse. The cherished tradition brought together guests, residents from Swiss Town, Hollywood Town, and Serene Garden, along with the senior management and resort team, for an evening filled with laughter, warmth, and community joy.

The event began on a grand note with the reveal of specially designed cake-mixing logos, offering a creative glimpse into the resort’s evolving story and setting an air of anticipation for its upcoming chapter. This thoughtful addition added excitement to the evening and reflected the brand’s commitment to innovation and storytelling.

As the music played and festive aromas filled the air, guests joined hands with the Clarks team to mix a rich medley of dry fruits, nuts, and spices, a symbolic gesture of joy, togetherness, and prosperity for the season ahead. The ceremony concluded with a sumptuous poolside spread of snacks and beverages, creating the perfect prelude to the holiday celebrations.

Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Mr. Balaji M, CEO, Clarks Exotica, said, “At Clarks Exotica, we believe every celebration is an opportunity to create lasting memories. The annual cake mixing reflects the values we hold close, community, warmth, and connection. Seeing our guests, residents, and team members come together in such high spirits reminds us that hospitality is ultimately about people, not places. This event marks not just the start of the festive season, but also a renewed chapter in our brand’s story.”

As the resort prepares to unveil its new brand identity, this year’s cake mixing stood as a symbolic celebration of blending tradition with innovation. With the festive cheer in full swing and an exciting future ahead, Clarks Exotica continues to redefine hospitality through experiences that celebrate togetherness and timeless joy.

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