Seven Villas, One Lake, and the Essence of Sjöparken

Seven Villas, One Lake, and the Essence of Sjöparken

By Author

Published on January 21, 2024

Nestled in the serene beech forests of Halland, Sweden, Sjöparken redefines tranquility and luxury, offering an intimate connection with nature. Seven villas, delicately perched on the lake, intertwine hotel rooms through glass corridors, blurring boundaries between inside and outside. Moments here, be it in private jetties or in-room saunas, unfold unparalleled communion with nature.

Sjöparken creates a perfect resonance, optimizing space for immersive experiences, focusing on stillness, togetherness, and well-being. Expanding Ästad Vingård, it stands as a benchmark, converging aesthetic values and harmonious expression. A collaboration between Ästad and Norm Architects explores the evolution of the location.

Sjöparken fosters a direct connection with its surroundings, embedded in both architecture and interior spaces. The interplay between interior and exterior spaces shapes their utilization. Sunlight filters through rooms, materials mirror nature, and fluid movement within the hotel manifests intentional gestures, resonating with the genius loci.

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In each room, a seamless division between the lounge area and bedroom is achieved with strategically placed wooden louvers, striking a balance between transparency and privacy, while also transforming filtered light into enchanting wall art, eliminating the need for additional decor.

Enveloped in the rich embrace of oak wood, the design cultivates a tranquil atmosphere, purposefully creating a profound connection with the natural surroundings. The comforting ambiance extends beyond visual delight, offering guests the warmth of tactile surfaces and the serenity of thoughtful spatial divisions. Every aspect underscores the commitment to well-being and a seamless integration with the soothing essence of nature.

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The style of the architecture is distinctively Nordic, but there are also elements of transitional spaces like the column-lined walkways between each house, the louvered elements, and the wooden deck, that are translations of elements in traditional Japanese architecture. Fused with the water villa typology from tropical resorts, this enclave of luxurious hotel rooms become a completely new hybrid with its own new character.

Sjöparken responds to the need of leaving the city buzz to spend quiet time but combines it with a unique expression that can inspire and invigorate their stay.

Images: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen


Encalm Hospitality Expands Airport Experience with New International Lounge at Hyderabad Airport

Encalm Hospitality Expands Airport Experience with New International Lounge at Hyderabad Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on July 11, 2026

Encalm Hospitality has announced the launch of its new International Lounge at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, further expanding its airport hospitality portfolio and reinforcing its focus on delivering premium travel experiences.

The new lounge has been designed to meet the evolving expectations of modern international travellers by integrating comfort, wellness, dining, and personalised hospitality within a thoughtfully curated environment. The launch marks another milestone in Encalm's strategy of building a comprehensive airport hospitality ecosystem across India's leading aviation hubs.

Designed as a space for relaxation before departure, the lounge features state-of-the-art sleeping pods, therapeutic spa treatments, private dining facilities for families and guests seeking privacy, and a well-stocked bar. The experience has been curated to transform pre-flight waiting time into a seamless journey of comfort and rejuvenation.

Food remains a central part of the experience, with interactive live culinary stations serving freshly prepared dishes that combine regional Indian flavours with contemporary international cuisine. The curated dining programme is complemented by a refined beverage selection, catering to a wide range of traveller preferences.

Commenting on the launch, Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer of Encalm, said the new lounge reflects the company's commitment to creating future-ready hospitality experiences driven by innovation, thoughtful design, and operational excellence. He added that Encalm aims to continue setting new benchmarks by delivering intuitive and differentiated experiences for global travellers.

Pooja Bhondekar, Business Head – Airport Hospitality, Encalm, said the expansion reflects the brand's mission of creating memorable experiences across every touchpoint of the passenger journey. She noted that every element of the lounge, from wellness facilities to curated dining and personalised service, has been carefully designed to offer warmth, comfort, and convenience.

With the addition of the Hyderabad International Lounge, Encalm continues to strengthen its integrated airport hospitality ecosystem, which includes premium lounges, meet-and-assist services, wellness offerings, in-flight catering, and curated food and beverage concepts across major Indian airports.


Zari Debuts Luxury Hospitality Brand with Launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

Zari Debuts Luxury Hospitality Brand with Launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

Zari has announced its entry into India's luxury hospitality landscape with the launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai, Rajasthan. The boutique property marks the debut of the new hospitality brand, which aims to create intimate, experience-led stays rooted in authentic local culture, thoughtful design and personalised hospitality.

Positioned as more than a traditional luxury hotel brand, Zari is built around the philosophy of offering meaningful travel experiences that celebrate destination, heritage and community. The company plans to expand its portfolio with several boutique luxury properties across India in the coming months.

Located in Rajasthan's renowned Leopard Country, Bijapur Lodge is an exclusive six-suite retreat set amidst Jawai's dramatic granite landscape. Spread across five acres of restored natural terrain, the property has been designed to offer guests privacy, tranquillity and immersive experiences while embracing sustainability and understated luxury.

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One of the property's signature experiences is its private leopard safari, led by experienced naturalists who introduce guests to Jawai's unique ecosystem, where leopards have coexisted peacefully with the indigenous Rabari community for generations. The conservation-focused safari offers visitors an opportunity to experience one of India's most remarkable wildlife destinations while gaining insights into its ecological and cultural significance.

The culinary programme at Bijapur Lodge highlights Rajasthan's rich food heritage through its Curated Heritage Table, featuring consultant-designed menus prepared using hyper-local ingredients, seasonal produce and traditional recipes. Guests can enjoy regional specialities including Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri and wood-fired delicacies that celebrate the region's culinary traditions.

Beyond wildlife experiences, the lodge offers a range of curated activities including sunset sundowners overlooking Jawai's granite hills, guided Rabari village walks, birdwatching, boat excursions and sunrise yoga sessions amidst nature. Each experience has been designed to encourage deeper connections with the destination, its people and its cultural heritage.

Commenting on the launch, the management of Zari said the brand was created with the belief that true luxury is deeply personal and rooted in meaningful experiences, genuine hospitality and a strong sense of place. They added that Bijapur Lodge embodies this philosophy by offering guests an intimate connection with Jawai's wildlife, traditions and culture, while future Zari properties will continue to celebrate the unique identity of each destination.

The launch of Bijapur Lodge marks the beginning of Zari's vision to establish a portfolio of boutique luxury properties across India, focused on experiential travel, sustainability, cultural authenticity and personalised hospitality.


InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping Unveils Curated July Experiences Across Dining, Wellness and Lifestyle

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping Unveils Curated July Experiences Across Dining, Wellness and Lifestyle

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping has unveiled a collection of wellness, culinary and lifestyle experiences for July, inviting guests to embrace the slower pace of the season through thoughtfully curated offerings inspired by Northern Thailand's heritage and global flavours.

At the heart of the wellness programme is the Rainy Season Wellness Journey at The ii Spa. Designed to reflect Lanna's traditional healing practices, the experience combines a 60-minute Traditional Thai Massage with a 30-minute herbal compress treatment to ease muscle tension, improve circulation and promote deep relaxation.

Dining takes centre stage at the hotel's signature HONG Chinese Restaurant, where guests can enjoy A Taste of China, a four-course set lunch celebrating Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary touch. The menu features double-boiled chicken soup with ginseng, steamed scallop with egg white custard, wok-seared Wagyu beef, and chilled almond tofu with osmanthus syrup and goji berries.

At KAM Lobby Lounge, guests can indulge in a dragon fruit-inspired afternoon tea, blending tropical flavours with classic French pâtisserie in a setting enriched by traditional Lanna art. Available through the end of August, the experience includes handcrafted desserts, savouries and beverages, with an option to pair the tea with a glass of Prosecco.

Families visiting The Gad Lanna can also take advantage of a seasonal dining promotion, where children aged 12 years and below receive a complimentary dish from the kids' menu for every THB 800++ spent by an accompanying adult. The offer is available for lunch and dinner until the end of August.

The rooftop HONG's Sky Bar continues to elevate the city's nightlife with a series of seasonal promotions. Every Thursday in July, Gin & Glow Ladies Night offers female guests a complimentary Bombay Gin & Tonic, while Sky Social features a two-for-one offer on selected cocktails and wines every weekday through September. Guests can also enjoy Bao After Dark, pairing signature bao buns with a selected beverage as part of a special evening menu.

With experiences spanning wellness, family dining, afternoon tea, rooftop cocktails and refined Chinese cuisine, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping offers guests a diverse selection of seasonal experiences designed to capture the spirit of summer while celebrating the hotel's signature hospitality

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