New IRA By Orchid Hotel Opens, Bringing Modern Elegance to Sambhaji Nagar

New IRA By Orchid Hotel Opens, Bringing Modern Elegance to Sambhaji Nagar

By Author

Published on December 23, 2023

Kamat Hotels India Ltd has expanded its Orchid Hotel portfolio with the opening of its fourth IRA outlet in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, formerly known as Aurangabad. This new addition follows the successful launch of IRA in Mumbai, Bhubaneshwar, and Nashik.

As guests enter IRA By Orchid, they are greeted with a traditional ‘Namaskar’ welcome, setting the tone for a stay that combines warm hospitality with modern luxury. The hotel features the city's freshest rooms and a stunning rooftop restaurant, ‘Upper Deck’, providing panoramic views and exquisite dining. It also houses elegant banquets, making it an ideal venue for both corporate and social events.

Strategically located near the city's top attractions and corporate hubs, and just a short 15-minute drive from the airport, IRA By Orchid serves as a perfect base for exploring landmarks like the Ajanta Ellora Caves and Daulatabad Fort.

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The hotel offers a range of meticulously designed rooms, including Deluxe, Premier, and Suite categories. These accommodations blend contemporary design with comfort, catering to all travel needs. Guests can enjoy amenities like centralized air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room safes, and non-smoking rooms.

Dr. Vithal Kamat, Chairman of Kamat Hotels India Ltd, shared his enthusiasm for welcoming guests to the new IRA outlet. He highlighted the Kamat brand's dedication to exceptional food and banquet services and expressed his vision for IRA as a model for future expansion in the Marathwada region.

Vishal Vithal Kamat, Executive Director of KHIL, further added that in line with IRA's philosophy, the hotel will contribute 1% of its sales to community welfare, focusing on the education of the Girl Child and collaborating with grassroots organizations to positively impact the Sambhaji Nagar community.

This new venture promises to elevate the hospitality experience in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, offering guests a unique blend of modern luxury and traditional charm.


Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi Wins Indian Hotel of the Year Award

Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi Wins Indian Hotel of the Year Award

By Hariharan U

Published on May 14, 2026

Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi has earned a major international recognition after being awarded the Indian Hotel of the Year by Choice Hotels. The honour was presented during an event held in Las Vegas on 6 May 2026.

The achievement marks an important milestone for the property as well as the SUBA Group of Hotels, under which the hotel operates. The recognition highlights the hotel’s consistent focus on guest experience, hospitality standards, and operational excellence.

Presented under the “Best of Choice” platform, the award celebrates standout properties within the Choice Hotels network that have demonstrated exceptional performance and service quality.

The recognition places Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi among the top-performing hospitality destinations representing India on a global stage, further strengthening its presence within the international hospitality industry.


Hyatt Regency Lucknow Appoints Joyjit Chakravorty as General Manager

Hyatt Regency Lucknow Appoints Joyjit Chakravorty as General Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on May 14, 2026

Joyjit Chakravorty has been appointed as the General Manager of Hyatt Regency Lucknow, effective May 07, 2026.

With over 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Joyjit brings extensive expertise across luxury and upper-upscale hotel operations, food and beverage management, and overall property leadership. His appointment marks a significant addition to Hyatt Regency Lucknow’s leadership team as the property continues to strengthen its focus on operational excellence, guest experience, and business growth.

Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Lucknow, Joyjit served as General Manager at Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road. Before that, he held the role of General Manager – Hospitality at Krisumi Corporation, a luxury real estate development venture.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with several leading hospitality brands including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, and Swissôtel, building a strong foundation in luxury hospitality management and strategic operations.

Joyjit holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Calcutta, a Post Graduate Certification in Strategic Management from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and a qualification in Hotel & Catering Management from International Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata.

Recognised for his people-first leadership approach, Joyjit is known for building empowered teams, driving operational performance, and creating memorable guest experiences. His leadership philosophy balances team development with strong business outcomes, making him a respected figure within the hospitality industry.

With his appointment, Hyatt Regency Lucknow aims to further strengthen its culture of care, performance excellence, and distinctive hospitality experiences while continuing to enhance value for guests, associates, and stakeholders.

For more information, visit Hyatt Regency Lucknow


Papa Johns India Expands Delivery Reach Through Swiggy and Zomato

Papa Johns India Expands Delivery Reach Through Swiggy and Zomato

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 14, 2026

Papa Johns India has announced the launch of its delivery services on leading food aggregator platforms Swiggy and Zomato, marking a major step in expanding the brand’s accessibility and customer reach across its growing store network.

The development comes after the brand’s re-entry into the Indian market in late 2025, when operations initially focused on direct-to-consumer channels through its own mobile application and in-house delivery system. The addition of aggregator platforms is expected to further strengthen the brand’s delivery ecosystem and drive wider customer engagement.

Currently, Papa Johns India operates 8 outlets in Bengaluru, all of which are available for delivery through the brand’s own app. The company also plans to open 30 additional outlets in the city during this financial year as part of its expansion strategy.

The delivery integration combines aggregator partnerships with backend systems and in-house operational processes to improve order tracking, delivery speed, and consistency in customer experience. Papa Johns India operates under Ambrosia QSR, a platform owned by Pulsar Capital.

Speaking about the expansion, Prashant Mehta, Managing Partner at Ambrosia QSR, said, “The launch of aggregator delivery is an important step in scaling Papa Johns in India. Over the past few months, our focus has been on building a strong operational foundation, including store execution, supply chain, and direct delivery capabilities. With aggregators now live, we are well-positioned to expand reach while maintaining control over quality and experience.”

Since bringing the brand back to India, Ambrosia QSR has focused on establishing flagship stores in key locations, strengthening supply chain and backend infrastructure, and scaling its direct ordering and delivery channels.

The addition of Swiggy and Zomato delivery services is expected to significantly increase customer reach, support incremental order volumes, and create a more scalable and standardised operating model for the brand.

Ambrosia QSR plans to continue expanding Papa Johns presence in India with a focus on sustainable growth, strong unit economics, and a customer-first approach.

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