Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi has announced the appointment of Mayur S. Modak as its new Chief Engineer, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience spanning hospitality, infrastructure, malls, and the chemical industry.

In his new role, Mayur will take charge of the hotel's full engineering operations, from mechanical and electrical systems to HVAC, fire safety, and water treatment. His focus will span preventive maintenance, energy conservation, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and keeping the property's safety and operational standards firmly in place.

Mayur comes with a rich and varied career behind him. Most recently, he served as Chief Engineer at Fariyas Hotel Lonavala, and before that held the same position at Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. His earlier stints include key engineering leadership roles at some well-regarded names in the industry, The Orchid Hotel Pune, Renaissance Lucknow Hotel, JW Marriott Hotel Pune, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, and JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu. It's a career that spans cities, countries, and a wide range of property types, giving him a well-rounded perspective that's hard to replicate.

Over the course of his career, Mayur has led pre-opening projects, driven cost-optimisation strategies, strengthened preventive maintenance programmes, and pushed through meaningful energy-saving initiatives, all while keeping guest satisfaction and team development at the centre of his work. His approach aligns naturally with Marriott International's brand standards, making him a fitting addition to the Courtyard Pune Hinjewadi team.

The hotel looks forward to the expertise and energy Mayur brings to the role, and the contributions he'll make to keeping the property running at its very best

Udaipur has always had a way of making you slow down. The lakes, the hills, the golden light at dusk, it's the kind of city that asks you to be present. And the newly opened Wyndham Garden Udaipur Bhuwana seems to have taken that quality and built an entire hotel around it.

Perched in the rolling Aravalli hills with sweeping views of the landscape that defines Udaipur, this 70-room hillside retreat is Wyndham's fifth property in the city and it's a genuinely beautiful addition. From the moment you arrive, the architecture feels like it belongs here. Traditional Rajasthani design, natural materials, open layouts, and a seamless flow between indoor spaces and the outdoors, it's the kind of place where waking up to birdsong and watching the sun dip behind the hills becomes part of your daily routine.

The hotel is built with a clear philosophy  slow down, breathe, and actually feel restored by the time you leave. Whether you're a wellness traveller looking for a mindful escape, a couple on a romantic getaway, or a family simply in need of a proper break, the property delivers across the board.

Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, captured it well -  "Udaipur is a destination that speaks to the soul, and Wyndham Garden Udaipur Bhuwana is designed to reflect that spirit. As our fifth hotel in the city, this opening represents our vision of hospitality that goes beyond comfort, offering restorative experiences and memorable celebrations that feel deeply connected to place, nature and wellbeing. It also marks the third Wyndham Garden to open in India in just two years, reflecting the strong demand for nature-led, experience-driven stays and the brand's continued growth in the country."

Made for Weddings Too

Udaipur is India's go-to destination for weddings — and this property is very well set up for exactly that. A 557 square metre pillarless banquet hall and a sprawling open lawn, where vows can be exchanged against a backdrop of hills and golden light, make it a natural choice for couples looking for a setting that feels both grand and intimate. It's the kind of venue where the location does half the work for you.

Close to the City, Far From the Rush

Despite feeling wonderfully removed from the everyday, the hotel is conveniently located - just about 30 minutes from Maharana Pratap Airport, which makes getting in and out easy for both leisure guests and wedding parties. From here, Udaipur's royal palaces, historic temples, and lakeside ghats are all within reach, making it easy to explore the city before returning to the quiet of the hills.

Vikram Singh Chauhan, Founder & CEO of NILE Hospitality, shared - "We are proud to unveil Wyndham Garden Udaipur Bhuwana, a resort that combines Rajasthan's rich heritage with immersive guest experiences. In partnership with Wyndham and Zappy Holidays Resorts, we are creating a destination that offers culture, luxury, and unforgettable stays for travellers from around the world."

What to Expect

Guests are welcomed with a traditional Rajasthani greeting, a warm touch that sets the tone immediately. Amenities include an outdoor pool, spa with steam room, gym, 24/7 room service, free WiFi, a business centre, and a courtyard high-tea ritual that feels like a genuine Udaipur moment. There's also a game room, children's pool and play area, concierge services, travel desk, local shuttle, and free parking. Every room is non-smoking with a private balcony because in a place like this, the view from your room is part of the experience.

Durgesh Kumawat, Proprietor of Zappy Holidays Resorts, managed by NILE Hospitality, summed it up beautifully, "Our goal was to create a sanctuary, a place where guests feel grounded, restored, and connected to the timeless beauty of Udaipur. Whether for a peaceful retreat or a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, Wyndham Garden Udaipur Bhuwana offers an experience that stays with you long after you leave."

The property is developed in partnership with Zappy Holidays Resorts and managed by NILE Hospitality,  a collaboration that already spans seven hotels across India. Looking ahead, Wyndham and NILE are also working together to bring Microtel by Wyndham to India, with plans to open 40 hotels nationwide by 2031.

For a city that's always felt like it was made for slowing down, this new hillside retreat feels right at home.

If you've been to a Harajuku Tokyo Café in Delhi or Mumbai, you already know what the fuss is about, jiggly pancakes, Kaiten conveyor belt sushi, manga-inspired interiors, and an energy that feels genuinely unlike anything else in India's dining scene. And now, a lot more people are about to find out what they've been missing.

Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse has announced a serious multi-city expansion, and it's not a small step, it's a full-on leap. The brand is deepening its presence in Delhi with a specialised Bakehouse, rolling out a sprawling flagship Tokyo Café and Bakehouse in Mumbai, making its long-awaited debut in Bengaluru, and launching its very first all-vegetarian outlet in Gujarat. For a brand that started as a boutique cult favourite, this is a whole new chapter.

The man behind all of it is founder Gaurav Kanwar. Armed with an analytical background from the London School of Economics and the University of Warwick, Kanwar spotted something that most people in the industry had missed, Japanese cuisine in India was almost entirely locked inside five-star hotels, formal and untouchable. After spending time researching in Tokyo and Osaka, he came back with a very different vision, one that put soul and experience first, and left the stuffiness at the door.

"There's something incredibly special about watching people truly connect with what you've built," says Kanwar. "The response we received in Delhi was overwhelming, and Mumbai took that love to another level. It reassured us that this vision resonates. As we now expand into Bangalore and other cities, it feels like the right time to share this experience with an even wider audience, while staying true to the care, energy, and authenticity that define us."

What makes Harajuku stand out isn't just the food, though the food is very much a reason to show up. Each outlet draws from a different district of Japan, translating its character into the look, feel, and energy of the space. The Mumbai outlet channels the vibrant buzz of Shibuya. The M3M IFC Gurugram outlet reflects the neon-lit nightlife of Kabukicho. The Ambience Mall Gurugram outlet takes its cues from the cultural warmth of Ueno. Every location feels like its own world, which is a big part of why people keep coming back.

The menu carries its own loyal following. The viral jiggly pancakes and Japanese cotton cheesecake have taken on a life of their own on social media, while the Kaiten conveyor belt sushi keeps the experience playful and interactive. Inventive beverages round things out, it's a menu that's as fun to order from as it is to eat.

The Gujarat launch is particularly significant, a first-ever all-vegetarian Harajuku, reimagining the brand's entire experience for an audience that doesn't compromise on that front. It's a bold move that shows just how seriously the brand is thinking about who it wants to welcome through its doors.

Bengaluru, meanwhile, marks Harajuku's first step into the South Indian market, a city with a strong appetite for quality dining and an equally strong sense of what's worth the hype. If the Delhi and Mumbai responses are anything to go by, the southern debut is going to make some noise.

This expansion isn't just about more locations, it's about Harajuku planting its flag as the go-to name for Japanese dining in India, city by city, one unforgettable experience at a time.