Phulay Bay Launches 12-Month Butler Academy in Partnership with Thaksin University

Phulay Bay Launches 12-Month Butler Academy in Partnership with Thaksin University

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 14, 2025

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and one of Thailand’s first MICHELIN three-key hotels, has taken a significant step toward elevating luxury hospitality with the launch of its Phulay Bay Butler Academy. This 12-month immersive training program, developed in partnership with Thaksin University, is designed to shape the next generation of Phulay Bay Butlers, blending expertise with empathy to craft unparalleled guest experiences.

A New Era of Personalized Hospitality

The Phulay Bay Butler Academy aims to provide students with more than just traditional service skills. It prepares them to become local experts, gifted storytellers, wine connoisseurs, gastronomy and mixology specialists, and wellness advisors. Through both classroom education and hands-on training at the resort, apprentices will learn how to curate deeply personalized guest journeys while embodying the warmth and intuition that define world-class hospitality.

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Guiding them through this journey is Khun Yid, Phulay Bay’s Head Butler, who has been with the property since its pre-opening. With an intimate knowledge of Krabi’s hidden gems, he shares his expertise on the region’s untouched islands, culinary secrets, and artisan traditions. He believes that true luxury service is not just about fulfilling requests but about creating lasting memories with thoughtfulness and care.

“For me, creating memories is not just about service. It touches my heart and beautifies my life experience,” says Khun Yid.

Commitment to Excellence and Career Growth

Phulay Bay’s General Manager, Vidya Sagar, emphasizes the importance of people in defining luxury:

“In the world of bespoke service, our Phulay Bay Butlers transcend star ratings, creating deeply personal guest experiences. This academy will ensure the highest level of professionalism at our resort while opening career pathways for young talent in Southern Thailand.”

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With only 14 MICHELIN three-key hotels in Asia, Phulay Bay continues to uphold its position as a sanctuary of indulgence, style, and elegance. The Phulay Bay Butler Academy stands as a testament to its commitment to preserving and enhancing the Ritz-Carlton Reserve experience for years to come.

For more details on Phulay Bay, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/phulay-bay.


Experience a Magical Navratri Celebration at Novotel Imagicaa

Experience a Magical Navratri Celebration at Novotel Imagicaa

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 25, 2025

This Navratri, Novotel Imagicaa invites guests to step into a world of vibrant celebrations where thrilling adventures meet festive indulgence. Located right next to the Imagicaa Theme Park, the hotel offers the perfect escape for families and friends to celebrate the season in style.

Guests can take advantage of a special 35% discount on packages, making it easier than ever to plan a fun-filled getaway. The festive packages come with exciting inclusions designed for a complete experience:

  • Complimentary tickets to Imagicaa Theme Park & Water Park for unlimited fun.

  • Free breakfast to start the day on a delicious note.

Adding to the festive spirit, from 22nd September to 2nd October, guests can also savor specially curated Navratri Fasting Thalis at 15% off, making celebrations more wholesome and delightful.

Whether it’s seeking blessings, enjoying festive flavors, or spending an action-packed weekend with loved ones, Novotel Imagicaa offers the perfect blend of comfort, adventure, and tradition. This Navratri, it promises to be the ultimate destination for creating magical memories.


Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins Opens in the Heart of the CBD

Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins Opens in the Heart of the CBD

By Hariharan U

Published on September 21, 2025

Melbourne has welcomed a new neighbour to its buzzing CBD with the opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first dual-branded development in Australia, alongside the new Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall, the 179-room property blends heritage character with contemporary design to create a stay that’s uniquely Melbourne.

The hotel is built behind four carefully preserved heritage façades, Diamond House, the Public Benefit Bootery, Allan’s, and the York Building – weaving the stories of jewellers, bootmakers, and retailers into a vibrant new hospitality experience. Each Hotel Indigo property reflects its neighbourhood, and here, Melbourne’s layered history and laneway culture set the tone.

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The opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins is a landmark moment for the revitalisation of Bourke Street Mall and surrounding laneways, and an opportunity for us to showcase exactly what the Hotel Indigo brand brings to Melbourne: a design-forward, neighbourhood-first experience,” shared General Manager, Scott Hamilton.

Developed by Steadfast Capital with interiors by global design firm Buchan and construction by Hickory, the property showcases a mix of intimate lobby spaces, interconnected areas, a courtyard, and dining destinations. Design nods to Melbourne’s past are everywhere – monkey motifs pay tribute to E.W. Cole’s famous Book Arcade, while a spiral staircase recalls Sidney Myer’s drapery store. Guests can also admire a three-storey Cabinet of Curiosities mural by Melbourne-based artist Lisa King, featuring symbolic nods to the city’s icons like the Australian Open and Queen Victoria Market.

 Guest rooms at Hotel Indigo combine style with thoughtful details. From coin-inspired room numbers engraved with E.W. Cole quotes to terrazzo side tables made from recycled Skyy Vodka bottles, every element ties back to Melbourne’s story. Rooms are equipped with modern comforts such as Wi-Fi, Chromecast-enabled TVs, and locally sourced minibar offerings from Little Lon Gin Distillery. Guests can choose from standard and premium rooms, as well as balcony suites that open to views of Little Collins Street.

 Beyond its rooms, Hotel Indigo offers amenities such as The Meeting Room for intimate gatherings, a fitness centre, and direct access to Melbourne Walk retail precinct, home to JD Sport’s largest Southern Hemisphere store and Pop Mart’s designer art toys. Its location puts guests within easy reach of the city’s arts, dining, and sporting attractions, with public transport at the doorstep and Melbourne Airport just 21 kilometres away.

With its opening, Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins not only adds a fresh chapter to IHG’s growing Australian presence but also brings a bold, design-led sanctuary that reflects Melbourne’s culture, history, and creativity. Guests booking the Opening Special can enjoy breakfast for two for just $1 extra on top of the best flexible rate.


Lemon Tree Hotels Expands in Bihar with New Gaya Property

Lemon Tree Hotels Expands in Bihar with New Gaya Property

By Hariharan U

Published on September 18, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels has announced the signing of its latest property Lemon Tree Hotel, Gaya, Bihar. The upcoming hotel will feature 56 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, banquet and meeting facilities, along with a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and other public spaces. The property will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, the management arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited.

Strategically located, the hotel offers easy access to both Bodhgaya Airport (14 km) and Gaya Railway Station (6 km), while being well-connected by road for public and private transport.

Commenting on the signing, Kapil Sharma, Executive Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “With this signing, we further enhance and strengthen our footprint in Bihar, where we operate one hotel and have one more upcoming. This aligns with our strategy of expanding our brand across the country to delight our guests with comfortable options.”

Lemon Tree Hotels has steadily grown since its first 49-room property in 2004. Today, the group welcomes over 1.5 million guests annually across 110+ operational hotels in 75+ cities in India and overseas, with a pipeline of 110+ upcoming properties. Its network spans metro hubs such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, along with tier II and III cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Kochi, and Indore. Internationally, Lemon Tree Hotels is present in Dubai, Bhutan, and Nepal.

With the new signing in Gaya, Lemon Tree continues to build on its reputation for comfort, consistency, and refreshing hospitality — serving both business and leisure travellers alike.

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