Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels Ltd. has announced the signing of Regenta Z – Vrindavan, Mathura, marking another step in its expansion across India’s fast-growing religious tourism sector. The move reflects the brand’s focus on building a strong presence in key spiritual destinations.

Located around 6 km from Prem Mandir and 10 km from the Mathura Railway Station, the upcoming hotel is well placed to serve both pilgrims and leisure travellers visiting the region. The property is expected to be handed over in April 2027.

The Greenfield project will operate under the Regenta Z brand, which is designed for boutique-style hospitality with a focus on efficiency and quality service. The hotel will offer 36 rooms, along with a multi-cuisine restaurant and a dedicated banquet hall. This makes it suitable for social gatherings, religious functions, and small corporate events.

Sharing his thoughts, Chander Baljee, chairman & managing director, Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels, said, "The signing of Regenta Z in Vrindavan is a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen our presence in India’s most revered spiritual destinations. As religious tourism continues to witness unprecedented growth, our goal is to provide devotees and travelers with the perfect blend of modern comfort and traditional hospitality. This new property not only expands our asset-light portfolio but also reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences in markets with deep-rooted cultural importance."

The property is owned by Sachin Aggarwal, and the agreement has been finalised through a Head of Agreement (HOA). The project follows an asset-light model, aligning with the company’s strategy to tap into year-round demand in Vrindavan’s religious tourism market.

With this signing, Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels continues to strengthen its footprint in major spiritual hubs across the country, aiming to offer reliable and comfortable stay options for travellers visiting these culturally significant destinations.

Hilton has announced a strategic partnership with Regenta Hotels Private Limited, owned by Royal Orchid Hotels Limited, to bring 125 Hampton by Hilton hotels to India by 2035. This move marks a major step in Hilton’s expansion plans, focusing on the growing demand in the country’s mid-market segment.

The new hotels will be developed mainly across western and southern regions, including Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. These locations are seeing steady growth in both business and leisure travel, making them ideal for the brand’s expansion.

Sharing his views, Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton said, “India’s economic growth, expanding middle class and rapid infrastructure development are reshaping the country’s travel landscape, creating significant opportunities for our brands. Our new strategic partnership with the Regenta Hotels Group demonstrates our commitment to working with established local operators, enabling us to scale our franchise footprint rapidly while maintaining the strength and consistency of Hilton’s brands.”

This agreement is part of Hilton’s broader strategy to grow through partnerships with strong local players. It also marks the company’s third such agreement in India, showing a clear focus on scaling its presence through a large pipeline of developments.

With improving connectivity and rising domestic travel, demand for quality branded stays is expanding beyond metro cities. Hampton by Hilton, known for its consistent service and value-driven offering, is well positioned to meet the needs of travellers in emerging cities and commercial hubs.

Christian Charnaux, executive vice president and chief development officer, Hilton, said, “As we continue to strengthen our network effect around the world, India remains a strategic long-term growth market for Hilton. For owners, Hampton by Hilton delivers industry-leading returns through an efficient operating model and broad guest appeal. This agreement further reinforces the global strength of the Hampton brand and our confidence in the long-term growth of India’s midmarket hospitality sector.”

Hampton by Hilton is the company’s largest brand by number of hotels and has been recognised as the #1 lodging franchise by Entrepreneur for 17 consecutive years. The brand operates in 46 countries and is known for its friendly and reliable service, often referred to as ‘Hamptonality’.

Chander Baljee, founder chairman & managing director, Royal Orchid Group, said, “We are proud to partner with Hilton to scale Hampton by Hilton in India. Our portfolio is a healthy mix of owned, managed and franchised properties, and this partnership with Hilton will drive significant growth in the country’s mid-market hospitality segment. As domestic travel continues to grow and new economic centers emerge across the country, we see a significant opportunity to expand the Hampton by Hilton brand across cities in India.”

Arjun Baljee, president, Royal Orchid Hotels, added, “Partnering with Hilton to bring 125 Hampton properties to life is a strategic leap in our 50-year journey. It complements our ethos of bolstering India’s mid-market segment with hotels that deliver great value, service efficiency and thoughtful design, alongside the globally renowned Hampton brand experience. Over the next 10 years, the hospitality opportunity will enable jobs creation for local communities besides offering travelers across the country a quality stay experience.”

The upcoming Hampton by Hilton hotels in India will be designed keeping local preferences in mind while maintaining the brand’s global standards. Guests will also benefit from Hilton Honors, the company’s loyalty programme, offering perks like flexible payment options, member discounts and digital check-in features through its mobile app.

Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away in Mumbai on Sunday at the age of 92, marking the end of an era in Indian music and cinema.

She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on April 11 following extreme exhaustion and a chest infection. According to Dr Pratit Samdani, she was brought in a critical condition and was kept under close observation in the ICU. Despite all medical efforts, she succumbed to multi-organ failure at 12 noon.

Asha Bhosle, the sister of late singer Lata Mangeshkar, was one of the most celebrated voices in Indian cinema. Her career spanned decades, during which she recorded songs in multiple languages including Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Punjabi. Her vast body of work earned her a place in the Guinness World Records for the most studio recordings.

Over the years, she received several prestigious honours, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Vibhushan, recognising her immense contribution to the music industry.

Beyond music, she also explored acting, making her debut at the age of 79 in 2013 with the film Mai, where she played a mother dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. She also extended her legacy into hospitality through Asha’s restaurant, which operates in Dubai and other locations, offering a fine dining experience inspired by her life and journey.

Condolences have poured in from across the country. President of India Droupadi Murmu, Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, actor Chiranjeevi Konidela, musician A.R. Rahman, singer Jubin Nautiyal, and many others shared their memories and paid tribute to the iconic singer.

Her mortal remains will be kept for a final glimpse at her residence, Casa Grande, Lower Parel, from 11 am on Monday. The family has informed that the last rites will be conducted at 4 pm on Monday evening, with several prominent personalities from the film industry and government expected to attend.

Asha Bhosle’s voice and legacy will continue to live on through generations, leaving a lasting impact on Indian music and culture.