Minimalist Hotels Expands in Varanasi with Second Design-Led Property

Minimalist Hotels Expands in Varanasi with Second Design-Led Property

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 22, 2025

Minimalist Hotels has strengthened its presence in India’s spiritual capital with the opening of its second property in Varanasi, located in DIG Colony, just two kilometres from its first hotel. Launched on 15 June 2025, the new 24-room hotel reflects the brand’s sharp focus on design-led urban hospitality that appeals to both spiritual and leisure travellers.

The decision to expand came on the back of sustained high occupancy at its first Varanasi outpost, especially during major cultural and religious events. With the city drawing both domestic and international visitors year-round, the new hotel offers a minimal yet modern stay experience for travellers seeking comfort without excess.

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Gautam Munjal, Founder of Minimalist Hotels, commented,

“Our first hotel in Varanasi saw consistent high occupancy, especially during spiritual and cultural seasons. Opening a second property allowed us to better serve guests while reinforcing our commitment to the region’s hospitality landscape.”

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Built with understated elegance, the property maintains the brand’s clean aesthetic and calm atmosphere, offering a refreshing take on boutique hospitality. It also features a 50-seater casual dining restaurant and pizzeria, providing a relaxed culinary option for guests after a day of temple visits or sightseeing.

Situated in proximity to key religious and cultural landmarks, the hotel is ideally positioned to serve pilgrims and tourists alike, particularly with major events like the Kumbh Mela approaching.

“The timing of this launch helps us meet rising demand and further cement our position as a premium yet approachable hospitality brand,” added Munjal.

With two operational properties in Varanasi and plans for growth in other high-footfall cities, Minimalist Hotels is poised to redefine understated hospitality across India's urban destinations where design, functionality, and convenience meet.


Hilton Garden Inn Debuts in Mumbai Near International Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Debuts in Mumbai Near International Airport

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 22, 2025

Hilton has officially marked the debut of its focused service brand in India’s financial capital with the launch of Hilton Garden Inn Mumbai International Airport. Developed in collaboration with Fariyas Hotels & Resorts, the 140-room hotel is strategically located in Andheri East, just minutes away from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The new property is designed for today’s business and leisure travellers who seek comfort, efficiency, and a touch of style. Each guest room is thoughtfully equipped with ergonomic workspaces, plush bedding, and contemporary amenities, offering a seamless blend of productivity and relaxation.

Dining and wellness options include Together & Co., an all-day restaurant, a rooftop pool, fitness centre, and &ToGo, a 24/7 convenience store. The hotel also features versatile meeting spaces, making it ideal for corporate events, training programs, and small social gatherings.

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Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, South Asia, Hilton, said:

“With the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Mumbai International Airport, we are deepening our presence in one of India’s most dynamic and high-demand markets. This opening marks another step in our strategic growth journey as we continue bringing Hilton’s world-class hospitality to more guests across India.”

Jenny Milos, Vice President, Brand Management – Suites & Focused Service, Asia Pacific, Hilton, added:

“Hilton Garden Inn is one of Hilton’s fastest-growing brands globally, designed for travellers who value comfort, convenience, and our signature Brighthearted hospitality. Our debut in Mumbai reinforces our promise to deliver a reliable, business-friendly stay.”

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Sameer Maredia, Director, Fariyas Hotels Private Limited, shared:

“We are proud to bring Hilton Garden Inn to Mumbai, a city that continues to lead India’s economic growth. With Hilton’s global expertise and our local market insights, we are confident this hotel will meet the evolving needs of today’s discerning travellers.”

Located on Sahar Road, the hotel provides easy access to major business hubs, entertainment zones, and city landmarks such as Juhu Beach, Versova, and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

The hotel is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program, and adds to Hilton’s growing footprint in South Asia, with 63 operational and pipeline hotels across the region.


Lemon Tree Hotels Strengthens Presence in Madhya Pradesh with New Resort Signing in Limbodagari

Lemon Tree Hotels Strengthens Presence in Madhya Pradesh with New Resort Signing in Limbodagari

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 22, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels continues its expansion spree with the signing of Lemon Tree Resort, Limbodagari, Madhya Pradesh. Managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, this new resort will further strengthen the group’s presence in the heart of India.

Set to feature 60 well-appointed rooms, the upcoming property will offer a wide range of amenities including a restaurant, banquet space, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and other public areas — promising a complete leisure and business experience for its guests.

Strategically located, the resort is around 9.4 km from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and 9.3 km from Indore Railway Station, ensuring seamless connectivity. It is situated near Indore’s Super Corridor, a fast-developing 12-km stretch known for its premium residential projects and key IT hubs, making Limbodagari an increasingly attractive location for both developers and travellers. Just 14 km from the city of Indore, the region blends rural charm with emerging urban infrastructure, presenting a unique escape for both leisure seekers and business guests.

Vilas Pawar, CEO – Managed & Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, stated:

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of our portfolio in Madhya Pradesh — the heart of India. Lemon Tree Hotels is expanding its presence across the country in cities across all tiers to become the most preferred hospitality chain across different segments. This opening will be in addition to our four existing and seven upcoming hotels in Madhya Pradesh.”

With this addition, Lemon Tree strengthens its presence in Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total to 11 hotels — 4 operational and 7 in the pipeline — reflecting its strategy to tap into both metro and emerging destinations across India.


OYO’s Innov8 Sells 3% Stake at ₹1,000 Cr Valuation to Fuel Co-working Expansion

OYO’s Innov8 Sells 3% Stake at ₹1,000 Cr Valuation to Fuel Co-working Expansion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 21, 2025

OYO-owned Innov8 has raised new capital by selling a 3% stake at a valuation of ₹1,000 crore, marking another big move in India's fast-evolving co-working sector. The investment aims to fuel Innov8’s aggressive expansion plans, with the company targeting 100 centres across India by the end of 2025.

Among the new investors, Raymond Family Office emerged as the lead, acquiring close to 2% of the stake, sources said. The identity of other investors remains undisclosed, and OYO Group declined to comment on the development.

Founded in 2015 by Ritesh Malik, Innov8 currently operates over 30 centres in 10 cities, including Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Noida, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Indore. The brand has consistently seen over 90% occupancy, underscoring the growing demand for flexible, managed workspaces post-pandemic.

This investment comes on the heels of January 2025’s ₹110 crore round, where Innov8 diluted 10% equity to onboard a high-profile mix of investors including Gauri Khan, Mankind Pharma, Rupa Group, and Jagruti Dalmia.

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The company’s financial performance has also seen a sharp upswing, with profit after tax jumping from ₹2.5 crore in FY23 to ₹62 crore in FY24. Experts attribute this to the surge in demand for hybrid and asset-light office models, particularly from startups and mid-sized corporates.

According to real estate consultancy Vestian, co-working operators in India are projected to occupy more than 100 million sq. ft. by 2026. This positions Innov8 as a key player in the race for market share.

Innov8 operates under the umbrella of OYO Group, which manages over 1.5 lakh hotel and home storefronts in 35+ countries, including the US, UK, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The group offers a suite of tech-driven hospitality and workspace solutions, with co-working becoming a major vertical in its diversified portfolio.

With strong financial backing and a profitable track record, Innov8 is now poised to scale up rapidly—meeting the workspace needs of India’s new-age workforce and reshaping commercial real estate norms in the process.

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