Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd Opens Luxury Hillside Retreat in Kasauli

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd Opens Luxury Hillside Retreat in Kasauli

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 9, 2024

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. (ROHL) has added another jewel to its portfolio with the unveiling of Velmore by Royal Orchid in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Positioned as a luxury hillside retreat, Velmore promises a rejuvenating escape amidst the tranquillity of the Himalayan pine forests.

Chander K Baljee, Chairman & Managing Director of ROHL, expressed his excitement about the opening of Velmore, highlighting the enchanting allure of Kasauli and its significance as his ancestral state. He emphasised the hotel's commitment to providing memorable experiences for guests, whether seeking a serene retreat or hosting special events.

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Strategically located near the Dharampur Railway Station and just 70 km from Chandigarh Airport, Velmore offers easy accessibility to travellers. The hotel's proximity to popular attractions such as Mall Road, Sunset Point, and Christ Church further enhances its appeal to tourists.

Arjun Baljee, President of ROHL, reiterated the company's commitment to India's hospitality landscape, aiming to launch 35 new hotels this year. He emphasised the importance of offering innovative and unique hospitality experiences to guests across the country.

Velmore by Royal Orchid is designed to cater to families and groups, offering 38 meticulously designed rooms with breathtaking forest views. The hotel features various room categories, including spacious 3-bedroom cottages, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests of all preferences.

Guests can indulge in a range of leisure activities, including trekking, nature walks, and swimming, while the fully-equipped gaming zone provides entertainment for all ages. Additionally, a new spa is set to enhance the wellness experience at the property, further elevating guest satisfaction.

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Philip Logan, Chief Operating Officer of ROHL, expressed the company's commitment to continuous progress and enhancing guest experiences with each new property. He emphasised ROHL's vision to become the preferred hotel chain for discerning global travellers, offering convenience, affordability, and unparalleled hospitality.

With over 100 hotels across India under the Regenta & Royal Orchid brands, ROHL continues to solidify its position as one of India's fastest-growing hotel chains, catering to the needs of both business and leisure travellers.

About Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels:

Promoted by Chander K Baljee, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. has become synonymous with hospitality excellence in India. Listed on the Bombay & National Stock Exchanges (BSE & NSE), ROHL operates a diverse portfolio of hotels, including Regenta, Regenta Central, Regenta Resort, Regenta Place, and Regenta Inn, catering to the preferences of discerning travellers. With a vision to become the preferred hotel chain for global travellers, ROHL remains committed to delivering unparalleled hospitality experiences across its properties.


Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle Marks Three Years of Hospitality and Guest Experiences

Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle Marks Three Years of Hospitality and Guest Experiences

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 31, 2026

Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle marked its third anniversary on 28th March, celebrating three years of hospitality, memorable guest experiences, and a growing presence in the city. Over this period, the hotel has welcomed guests from across India and abroad, hosted over 30 distinguished celebrities, and maintained a strong position among top properties on TripAdvisor since its opening.

While these milestones highlight its journey, the hotel places equal importance on the moments it has shared with its guests. Over the years, it has grown into more than just a place to stay, becoming a space where people come together for celebrations, conversations, and memorable experiences. The return of familiar faces and continued guest trust have played a key role in shaping its journey.

A key part of the hotel’s identity is its dining approach. Known for its 100% vegetarian, sattvic cuisine, the hotel focuses on meals that are prepared with care and authenticity, while also keeping well-being in mind. This thoughtful approach has helped create a strong connection with guests who value both taste and mindful dining.

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Speaking on the occasion, Ritesh Mudgal, General Manager, said:

"These three years have been incredibly special for us. Beyond numbers and milestones, it’s the relationships we’ve built and the memories we’ve been part of that truly define our journey. We are deeply grateful to our guests for their continued trust and support."

Looking ahead, Novotel Jodhpur ITI Circle remains focused on growing further while continuing to offer experiences that reflect warmth, comfort, and flavour.

Three years. Countless memories. Infinite flavours.


Grand Continent Hotels Enters Delhi NCR with Gurugram Launch

Grand Continent Hotels Enters Delhi NCR with Gurugram Launch

By Hariharan U

Published on March 31, 2026

Grand Continent Hotels Limited has marked its entry into the Delhi NCR region with the launch of a new property in Gurugram, signalling a significant step in its North India expansion strategy. The move builds on the brand’s strong presence in South India while tapping into one of the country’s most dynamic business hubs.

Located in Sector 45, Greenwood City, the property is positioned to cater to corporate travellers, long-stay guests, and domestic leisure segments. With close proximity to key business districts and connectivity points, the hotel is designed to offer a practical and comfortable stay aligned with evolving mid-market hospitality expectations.

Further strengthening its presence in the city, the company has also signed a new 56-key hotel near the Google office in Gurugram. This dual development underlines the brand’s intent to scale rapidly in high-demand micro-markets across NCR.

The launch comes as the company expands its footprint to 30 properties across 17+ cities, with over 1,800 keys. Its growth has been driven by a focus on high-demand urban locations, standardized service delivery, and efficient operational models that appeal to both business and leisure travellers.

Commenting on the expansion, Ramesh Siva said, “The launch in Gurugram marks an important step in our growth journey. Having established a strong foundation in South India, we are now focused on expanding across key North Indian markets including Delhi NCR, Ayodhya, Jaipur, Varanasi, Somnath and Rameswaram. Strengthening our presence in the city further, we have also signed a 56-key hotel near the Google office in Gurugram. Over the next two years, we plan to add 15 hotels across these key cities as we continue to build a scalable and sustainable hospitality network.”

The Gurugram hotel features 38 rooms, including Premium Rooms with balconies and Deluxe Rooms, designed with contemporary interiors and equipped with essential amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, minibar, and workspaces. The property also houses a multi-cuisine restaurant, fitness centre, banquet and conference spaces, catering to both business meetings and small-format events.

With rising demand for organised mid-market hospitality across NCR and emerging destinations, North India is expected to play a critical role in the company’s growth. Its expansion strategy will focus on asset-light models, strategic partnerships, and high-demand locations to drive scalability and operational efficiency.

The Gurugram launch not only marks a geographic milestone but also reinforces Grand Continent Hotels’ long-term vision of building a pan-India hospitality platform centred on consistency, accessibility, and value-driven offerings.


IHCL Signs Taj Safaris Lodge in Satpura, Expands Wildlife Portfolio

IHCL Signs Taj Safaris Lodge in Satpura, Expands Wildlife Portfolio

By Hariharan U

Published on March 30, 2026

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new Taj Safaris property in Satpura, marking a strategic expansion in India’s wildlife and eco-tourism segment. This greenfield project further strengthens IHCL’s footprint in Madhya Pradesh, where it already operates lodges across key national parks.

Commenting on the development, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice PresidentReal Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “India offers a significant opportunity to expand the wildlife and eco-tourism segment. The signing of Taj Safaris, Satpura reflects this potential and strengthens our presence in Madhya Pradesh.”

Developed in partnership with Sarvapratham Hospitality Private Limited, the upcoming lodge will be located approximately two hours from Bhopal Airport. Spread across 30 acres, the 20-key property will offer an immersive nature-led experience, complete with an all-day dining restaurant and bar.

Set amidst dense forests and undulating terrain, the lodge is positioned to offer curated wildlife experiences led by trained naturalists. The region, part of Satpura National Park, is known for its rich biodiversity and frequent wildlife sightings, especially during the summer months.

The park is home to species such as the Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison, along with over 300 bird species and numerous reptiles, making it a key destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Representing the owning company, Kunal Giani, Vishal Premchandani, and Kapil Premchandani said, “We are pleased to partner with IHCL to bring Taj Safaris to Satpura. This development aligns with our vision of celebrating the region’s unique ecological character.”

With this addition, IHCL will expand its Taj Safaris portfolio in Madhya Pradesh to five lodges, including one under development, reinforcing its leadership in India’s luxury wildlife hospitality space.

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