There are cities where history is a backdrop. And then there's Hue, where history is the whole point. It's a city that carries the weight of Vietnam's imperial past in its temples, its river, and its streets, and it demands a certain kind of hospitality in return. Fusion's newest property, Grand Royal Riverside Hue, seems to understand that perfectly.

The hotel opened on March 14th on the southern bank of the Huong River, right next to the iconic Truong Tien Bridge, in the heart of the UNESCO-recognized heritage landscape that defines Hue's identity. It's a location that doesn't just come with a great view. It comes with a story.

The property has 161 guestrooms spread across two towers, and the entire design concept is built around an idea called "A Tale of Two Times," blending the elegance of Hue's imperial past with the comfort and vibrancy of the present. The Huong River isn't just a backdrop here. It's the narrative thread that runs through the hotel's design, guest experience, and overall character.

Architecturally, the hotel draws from Indochine elegance, a style born out of the cultural exchange that shaped Hue's unique identity. Natural wood, locally inspired materials, and jade-toned interiors create a setting that feels calm and considered. It's a space that pays genuine homage to the city it sits in, without feeling like a museum.

Ms. Ha Tran, General Manager of the hotel, captured the intent well. "With Grand Royal Riverside Hue, we are proud to introduce a riverside retreat that honors the city's cultural legacy while embracing Fusion's wellness-led hospitality. From design inspired by the Huong River to Sả Spa and Wellness and thoughtfully curated dining experiences, our goal is to offer guests a refined stay that feels unmistakably Hue, calm, restorative and deeply connected to place."

Christopher Hur, CEO of Fusion Hotel Group, was equally direct about why Hue was a deliberate choice. "Hue is one of those rare cities where history isn't backdrop, it's the whole point. Opening here is a deliberate move: it rounds out our Vietnam portfolio in a destination that demands authenticity. We're not just adding keys; we're planting a flag at a moment when travelers are increasingly seeking meaning alongside comfort."

The hotel's food and wellness offerings are strong. Jade and Ginger Restaurant serves a daily breakfast buffet and all-day dining with authentic Vietnamese flavours including bun bo Hue, pho, and banh mi, alongside Hue specialties and selected European dishes. The Amber Lounge shifts from a tranquil daytime cafe serving artisanal teas and coffee to an elegant evening bar presenting curated wines, signature cocktails, and premium spirits.

On the wellness side, Fusion stays true to its core brand identity with Sả Spa (lemongrass) and Wellness, featuring four treatment rooms staffed by experienced therapists using locally sourced herbs and natural essential oils. A fitness centre, steam room, and skincare services round out a genuinely holistic wellness experience.

For events and corporate guests, the hotel has meeting and MICE facilities with a capacity of up to 370 guests, supported by flexible co-working spaces, lounges, and reception areas.

Room rates start from USD 130 per night, inclusive of breakfast for two. The hotel is currently offering 25% off stays until 31st May 2026 for direct bookings at fusion-collection.com/grandroyalriversidehue.

ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts has just opened its second ALIVAA-branded property in Gurugram and the timing couldn't be better. ALIVAA Boutique at DLF Cyber City arrives as the group crosses a significant milestone, hitting 30 operational hotels across India.

Sitting right in the heart of Gurugram's busiest corporate corridor, the new property is built to serve both business travellers needing a reliable, well-designed base and leisure guests looking for something more thoughtful than the standard city hotel. The location inside DLF Cyber City puts it exactly where the demand is surrounded by multinational offices, retail, and the constant movement of professionals who need quality accommodation close to where the work happens.

The property comes equipped with beautifully designed rooms that prioritise comfort and modern aesthetics, a full-service restaurant, a versatile banquet hall for corporate and social events, and a signature rooftop space that adds a distinct character to the offering.

This launch also marks the continuation of a strong ownership partnership. The property is owned by Harshal Sharma, who has now signed his third property with the ALIVAA group, a clear sign of the confidence built between the two sides over time.

Harshal Sharma reflected on the decision, "My journey with the group has been defined by mutual trust and consistent results. Signing my third property was a natural decision. I have seen firsthand the value they bring to property management, and I am confident that ALIVAA Boutique at DLF Cyber City will become a preferred destination in this vibrant hub."

Akash Bhatia, CEO (M&F) of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, shared his thoughts on the milestone, "The opening of ALIVAA Boutique at DLF Cyber City is a proud moment for us as we hit the 30-hotel milestone. With 8 operational hotels now in Gurugram, including our 6 'The Hoften' properties, we are solidifying our footprint in this vital market. Our focus remains on delivering high-quality hospitality experiences that resonate with the modern traveller."

Vikramjit Singh, CMD of ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, added, "Reaching 30 operational properties is a testament to the robustness of our business model and the dedication of our team. We are thrilled to expand our presence in Gurugram, and we look forward to maintaining this momentum as we continue to scale across key destinations in India."

With 8 hotels now running in Gurugram alone, across the ALIVAA and The Hoften brands the group is clearly treating the Millennium City as a priority market. And with 30 properties now operational nationwide under ALIVAA, The Hoften, and Xenious, the momentum behind the brand's expansion story is hard to ignore.

Sangli has long been one of Western Maharashtra's most economically active cities, the Turmeric Capital of India, a grape cultivation hub, a busy commercial belt sitting close to Kolhapur. And yet, for all that activity, quality branded accommodation has remained surprisingly hard to come by here. Sayaji Hotels is changing that with the launch of Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli.

Strategically located within Shiv R City Mall on Sangli-Miraj Road, the property is the third Effotel in Maharashtra, joining sister properties in Sarola, Pune district, and Navi Mumbai. It's also a clear statement of intent from the Sayaji Group about where they see opportunity, in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets that are economically ready for quality hospitality but haven't had it yet.

What the Property Offers

The hotel has 59 rooms spread across five categories Grande Rooms at 284 sq. ft., Premium Grande Rooms at 309 sq. ft., Executive Grande Rooms at 373 sq. ft., Grande Suites at 506 sq. ft., and Premium Suites at 766 sq. ft. There's something for the business traveller passing through, the leisure guest exploring the region, and the long-stay visitor who needs reliable comfort over an extended period.

On the dining front, the property has two distinct outlets. The Cube is an all-day dining restaurant with 120 covers, a proper sit-down space for hotel guests and locals alike. Good Old Days is a bar with 30 seats, designed for those who want to wind down after a long day in a relaxed setting.

For events and MICE, Effotel by Sayaji Sangli is particularly well-equipped. Two banquet spaces, Jardin 1 at 4,295 sq. ft. accommodating up to 350 guests, and Jardin 2 at 2,355 sq. ft. with capacity for 150  make it one of the most capable event venues in the city. In a market that has historically lacked premium banqueting facilities, this is a significant addition.

Location That Works

The property sits just 7 km from Sangli Railway Station and 50 km from Kolhapur Airport, making it easy to get to for both domestic and regional visitors. Its proximity to Kolhapur, with the revered Mahalakshmi Temple and a growing business district, adds another layer of appeal. Regional attractions like Chandoli National Park, Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sangli Fort, and the Dandoba Hills Forest Reserve are also within reach for guests looking to explore the area.

Mr. Rajendra Joshi, Associate General Manager at Sayaji Hotels, spoke about what this launch means  "Sangli has always been an economically active and culturally significant city, yet it has not had the branded hospitality infrastructure its stature deserves. Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli changes that narrative. This is not just another hotel opening; it is a commitment to elevating the travel and events experience for an entire region. With our Effotel brand, we bring the promise of quality, warmth, and value to markets ready to embrace it. The Kolhapur-Sangli belt represents tremendous potential for business and leisure travel, and we are proud to be the first from our portfolio to plant our flag here."

Mr. Avinash Gangwani, Director at LKG Lifestyle LLP, added , "When we envisioned this project, we saw a clear gap. Sangli is a city that punches well above its weight economically, but visitors and business delegations have had very few quality accommodation options. Being part of the Effotel by Sayaji family brings not just a trusted brand name but a proven model of hospitality excellence. We are confident this property will redefine Sangli's position on Maharashtra's hospitality map and will serve as a catalyst for the city's growing tourism and corporate event ecosystem, especially given our proximity to the pilgrimage and tourism circuit around Kolhapur."

For families, pilgrims, corporate delegates, agri-trade professionals, and tourists using Sangli as a base to explore the Kolhapur-Sangli belt , this property is set to become a natural first choice. And for Sayaji Hotels, it's another well-placed step in bringing their brand's warmth and quality to the markets that have been waiting for exactly this.