North Bengal's tourism corridor keeps growing, and Summit Hotels and Resorts is making sure it has a strong presence in two of its most compelling locations. The homegrown hospitality chain has announced the signing of two new boutique properties: Summit Gulma River Resort in Siliguri and Summit Falling Water near Darjeeling, both 30-room stays built around nature, intimacy, and experiences that put the destination front and centre.

The Siliguri property, located in the Gulma area overlooking the scenic Gulma Tea Estate and a flowing river, is being developed as a boutique address that works equally well for leisure stays and event-led demand. The 30 rooms will include a mix of standard and studio-style options with kitchenettes for extended stay guests. An in-house restaurant, bar, spa, gym, and a banquet hall with capacity for around 150 guests make it a natural choice for boutique weddings, celebrations, and corporate gatherings in the tea garden belt. The property is expected to open on 15th August.

The second property is where things get particularly interesting. Summit Falling Water will be located at Rangbull, approximately 3 kilometres before Darjeeling town along the main highway. Drawing architectural inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater residence, the hotel is designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural landscape. It's built over a natural water stream that flows directly through the property, with all 30 rooms offering private balconies overlooking the stream and surrounding hills.

And then there's the detail that makes it truly special: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train track passes directly in front of the property, giving guests views of the heritage train from the hotel itself. Add seasonal snowfall during winter months and a planned restaurant, coffee shop, spa overlooking the stream, gym, and parking facilities, and this is the kind of property that earns its place on a travel wishlist before it even opens. Summit Falling Water is scheduled to open in early January 2027.

Sumit Mitruka, Founder of Summit Hotels and Resorts, shared the thinking behind both properties. "North Bengal continues to be one of the most compelling tourism regions in Eastern India, with demand driven by leisure travellers, weddings and the growing popularity of experiential hill destinations. Whether it is tea garden landscapes in the plains or a stream flowing through a hill property with views of the toy train, our aim is to create stays where the destination itself becomes the central experience for travellers."

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Siliguri, Summit Hotels and Resorts operates over 30 hotels and resorts across 17 plus destinations, making it East India's leading hospitality chain. With a target of 50 properties by 2030, these two signings are a clear step in that direction, staying true to the group's focus on boutique formats, local community employment, and experiences that genuinely reflect where they are located.

Twenty years is a long time in hospitality, and Holiday Inn Suites Kuwait Salmiya has spent every one of them building the kind of reputation that keeps guests coming back. The property recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and General Manager Saif Edeen Mohamad sat down to talk about what has made the hotel a consistent favourite for extended stay guests, regional visitors, and leisure travellers across two decades.

The hotel sits along Arabian Gulf Road in Salmiya, one of Kuwait's most vibrant commercial and lifestyle districts. Most floors offer panoramic views overlooking the Arabian Gulf, which sets a tone of calm and openness from the moment guests check in. It's a location that works equally well for business travellers who need convenience and leisure guests who want a relaxing base with easy access to the city's best retail, dining, and entertainment destinations.

With 92 studios and apartments across functional studios and spacious two-bedroom suites, the property has always been built with the extended stay guest in mind. Every unit includes a well-appointed workspace and modern amenities designed to recreate the comfort of home, which Mohamad identifies as central to the hotel's identity.

"Our aim remains to create a welcoming environment where guests feel comfortable immediately upon arrival and throughout their stay. We consistently focus on delivering a warm, homely atmosphere reflecting our enduring commitment to genuine hospitality and attentive service."

The dining offering at Holiday Inn Suites Kuwait Salmiya is notably strong for a property of its size. Seven restaurants cover an impressive spread of cuisines including Lebanese, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and American, making the hotel a genuine dining destination for both residents and outside visitors. It's the kind of variety that keeps extended stay guests from ever feeling like they're eating the same meal twice.

The property also has a fully equipped Edge Fitness Centre for guests looking to maintain their wellness routines during longer stays, a practical touch that matters more than it might seem for those spending weeks rather than days at a property.

From a location standpoint, the hotel scores strongly on convenience. Kuwait International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away. The Avenues Mall and 360 Mall are both nearby, and Kuwait City's business district is easily accessible. Sea views, seaside calm, and city convenience all from the same address is a combination that's hard to beat.

Two decades in, Holiday Inn Suites Kuwait Salmiya clearly knows what it does well and keeps doing it.

Goa has always been one of India's most visited destinations, and Hilton is clearly not done investing in it. The brand has opened Hilton Garden Inn Goa Calangute, marking the Hilton Garden Inn brand's debut in the state and bringing its upscale, reliable hospitality to the heart of North Goa.

Developed in association with Kokra Resort and Spa Private Limited, the hotel sits in the bustling vicinity of Calangute, one of Goa's most popular and energetic tourist hubs known for its beach shacks, water sports, and lively nightlife. The location is also approximately 40 kilometres from both Manohar International Airport and Dabolim International Airport, making arrivals and departures straightforward for both domestic and international travellers.

With this opening, Hilton now operates four properties in Goa alongside Hilton Goa Resort, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji, and DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Arpora Baga. The brand has also recently signed its first luxury property in the state, Waldorf Astoria Goa, further signalling how seriously it is treating Goa as a long-term market.

Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, South Asia at Hilton, explained the thinking behind the launch. "Goa continues to stand out as one of India's most sought-after leisure markets. The debut of Hilton Garden Inn allows us to introduce an approachable upscale offering for guests who want the reliability of an international, high-quality brand without compromising on service. This opening reflects how our portfolio in India is growing strategically in response to the dynamic needs of business and leisure travelers."

The hotel has 116 well-appointed guest rooms including accessible rooms and suites, each with comfortable bedding, functional workspaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and smart TVs. For dining, the lobby-level and ToGo counter offers freshly prepared light bites and indulgent treats around the clock, while Together and Co., the rooftop all-day dining restaurant and bar, delivers an elevated experience with alfresco seating, an infinity pool, and panoramic ocean views. A 24-hour fitness centre and Aurea, a 768 sq ft meeting room, round out the facilities for both leisure and business guests.

Parveen Kokra, Chairman of Kokra Resort and Spa Private Limited, added context on why Calangute was the right location. "Calangute sits at the centre of Goa's tourism and leisure landscape, attracting a diverse mix of travelers year-round. We saw a clear opportunity for a globally recognized, elevated hospitality brand in this location. With Hilton's global expertise and our local insight, Hilton Garden Inn Goa Calangute is set to deliver an internationally benchmarked hospitality experience that complements the evolving needs of the destination."

Hilton Honors members booking a minimum three-night stay can earn 5,000 Honors points on reservations made until 19th May 2026. Guests booking directly through Hilton's preferred channels also enjoy member-exclusive discounts and complimentary standard Wi-Fi.