Sterling Launches Sterling Hibis Vellore – A Resort-Style Escape for Business & Leisure

Sterling Launches Sterling Hibis Vellore – A Resort-Style Escape for Business & Leisure

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 20, 2025

Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the grand opening of Sterling Hibis Vellore, its first resort in Vellore and the ninth property in Tamil Nadu. The 40-key resort, set on a lush 5.3-acre estate just off Tiruvannamalai Road, introduces a unique resort-style escape within city limits, catering to both leisure and business travellers.

Strategically located at the crossroads of pilgrimage, healthcare, education, and commerce, Sterling Hibis Vellore is designed to serve a diverse mix of visitors from devotees at the Golden Temple in Sripuram, families exploring the historic Vellore Fort, medical and academic visitors at CMC and VIT, to corporates seeking retreat-style venues. Guests can also extend their circuits with nearby Sterling Yelagiri and Sterling Arunai Anantha Tiruvannamalai, offering a seamless blend of spiritual, cultural, and leisure experiences.

The property features 36 Classic Rooms and 4 Suites, laid out in a villa-style design that balances modern comfort with open green surroundings. Dining highlights include the Orchid Restaurant, where Arcot Nawabi heritage flavours meet global cuisines, and the Iris Bar, a vibrant lounge offering cocktails and light bites. For wellness and leisure, guests can enjoy a full-service spa, fitness centre, and a 2,500 sq. ft. swimming pool with a kids’ section.

For events and celebrations, Sterling Hibis Vellore offers a Grand Banquet Hall for 150 guests and an expansive party lawn for up to 600 people, making it an attractive choice for weddings, social gatherings, and corporate offsites.

Speaking about the launch, Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said:

“Sterling Hibis Vellore embodies our vision of offering urban travellers the best of both worlds, a tranquil resort setting within city limits, tailored equally for leisure and business. From pilgrims and medical visitors to families and corporates, this property is designed to meet every need with warmth and authenticity.”

Mr. Prabu Ramalingam, Managing Director, Dolphin Ecco Resort Hotels, added:

“Partnering with Sterling for Hibis Vellore allows us to bring an international standard of resort hospitality to the city. With its villa-style rooms, expansive lawns, and wellness amenities, this property sets a new benchmark in Vellore, appealing to both local gatherings and visiting travellers.”

Conveniently connected, the resort is 3 hours from Chennai Airport, 20 minutes from Vellore Cantt Railway Station, and 30 minutes from Katpadi Junction. With this addition, Sterling strengthens its presence across Tamil Nadu, complementing its portfolio in Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yelagiri, Madurai, Tiruvannamalai, and Yercaud.


Elanpro Showcases India’s Largest Glass Top Freezer Range at Ice Cream Expo 2025

Elanpro Showcases India’s Largest Glass Top Freezer Range at Ice Cream Expo 2025

By Hariharan U

Published on October 10, 2025

Elanpro, India’s leading commercial refrigeration company, made a standout presence at the Indian Ice Cream Expo 2025 in New Delhi, showcasing the country’s widest range of Glass Top Freezers. The display featured 13 models, attracting ice cream manufacturers, parlour owners, and retail operators eager for efficient, high-visibility cooling solutions ahead of the busy season.

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Over three days, Elanpro’s exhibition highlighted a balance of visibility, energy efficiency, and engineering precision, key factors that influence both sales and product quality in the ice cream business. With impulse purchases driving nearly half of all ice cream sales, attractive product display alongside reliable cooling has become crucial for retailers.

The showcased freezers feature dual condenser technology for rapid temperature pull-down and 70 mm high-density insulation to minimize energy loss. Capable of maintaining stable temperatures as low as –32°C (hard top), these units protect ice cream’s shape, texture, and flavour while reducing melt risk and product waste.

Elanpro also focused on space optimization and internal design. The units accommodate standard 6×6×8 inch ice cream packs, allowing efficient stacking, clear product visibility, and better inventory management.

The range includes five flat glass and eight curved glass/parlour models, catering to different retail formats. Flat glass models are designed for durability and clarity in high-traffic outlets, while curved glass variants add a premium touch for modern parlours and experiential spaces.

Sanjay Jain, Director, Elanpro, said, “Visibility drives purchase, but performance protects reputation. With our extensive flat and curved glass freezer range, we are addressing the real needs of ice cream brands, parlours, and retailers. This range represents our commitment to helping businesses grow without compromise.

Elanpro’s participation underlines its role as a trusted refrigeration partner in India’s expanding frozen dessert sector, helping brands and retailers deliver freshness, maintain visual appeal, and optimize operations.

About Elanpro:

Founded in 2009, Elanpro is a pioneer in commercial refrigeration, catering to sectors like HoReCa, Food & Beverage Retail, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare. Headquartered in Gurugram, the company has nearly 700 channel partners across India and is known for products tailored to perform in challenging Indian weather while maintaining quality and durability


From Ballrooms to Beaches: Hotels Shaping India’s Wedding Landscape

From Ballrooms to Beaches: Hotels Shaping India’s Wedding Landscape

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 9, 2025

India’s weddings are far more than ceremonies; they are intricate, emotion-charged productions that ripple through the economy. Behind the visible glamour of décor, choreography, and couture lies another key player: hotels. From small-town gatherings to multi-day destination weddings, hotels quietly act as the backbone of the wedding ecosystem, orchestrating logistics, enabling creativity, and converting rituals into seamless guest experiences.

According to Nikhil Mahajan, Director at Kestone Utsav, “India’s wedding industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem, currently valued at around $130 billion (₹10.7 lakh crore). Hotels are pivotal, offering more than elegant venues. They architect experiences that blend tradition, luxury, and personalization, transforming weddings into unforgettable memories.”

Hotels today are curating specialized wedding packages that go beyond the conventional. From themed décor and regional cuisines to operational support for planners and bespoke welcome experiences, hotels actively shape every facet of a wedding, ensuring each celebration is immersive, unique, and flawlessly executed.

In 2024, India’s wedding season alone witnessed an estimated 4.8 million weddings, generating around ₹6 lakh crore in business. The destination wedding market is projected to reach $18.37 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 14.8% until 2033. By combining operational excellence with cultural sensitivity and innovation, hotels have become essential enablers of India’s vibrant wedding economy.

Hotels’ Multi-Faceted Role in Weddings:

  • Operational Command Centers: Hotels provide infrastructure few private venues can match, professional kitchens, power backup, climate control, housekeeping, security, and logistics for performers. This allows planners and families to attempt grander and more inventive formats with confidence.

  • Culinary Leadership: With multi-course menus, regional specialties, and bespoke tasting experiences, hotels handle dietary needs, last-minute sourcing, and days-long celebrations with professionalism.

  • Integrated Service Packages: Modern hotels bundle accommodation, catering, décor, AV, transportation, and guest services, reducing stress for families while creating recurring revenue streams.

  • Regulatory & Risk Management: From permits and safety checks to insurance and crowd control, hotels absorb responsibilities that would otherwise burden families or planners.

  • Local Ecosystem Building: Hotels contract florists, entertainers, decorators, and transport providers, acting as the primary local partner, especially for destination weddings.

  • Hospitality as Emotional Labor: Wedding days are high-stress. Experienced hotel teams manage crises like sudden rain or VIP itinerary changes with calm professionalism, ensuring a smooth experience.

Dilbir Sahni aka Bob, founder of IndoBangkok Weddings, adds: “People see the décor, food, and dance, but hotels manage everything from the first guest’s arrival to the final farewell. Their role goes far beyond providing rooms or ballrooms; they are the problem-solvers who hold everything together, making India’s complex weddings feel effortless.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Seasonality, talent shortages, sustainability concerns, and rising expectations for tech-enabled experiences create pressures. However, these challenges also open doors for hotels to innovate through modular infrastructure, sustainable practices, training programs, digital guest-management, and curated cultural experiences. Flexible pricing and creative packages can also extend the reach beyond premium urban and destination markets.

From local community halls to sun-drenched beaches hosting multi-day celebrations, hotels are the silent partners powering India’s wedding economy. Their contributions are operational, cultural, and economic, enabling scale, preserving tradition, and creating hospitality-driven memories. Recognizing hotels as active co-creators rather than just venues helps explain why India’s wedding industry remains a powerful engine of growth, employment, and cultural expression.


Vegas Mall and PUMA Ignite Delhi with High-Energy Nitro Run

Vegas Mall and PUMA Ignite Delhi with High-Energy Nitro Run

By Hariharan U

Published on October 9, 2025

Vegas Mall in Dwarka, Delhi, proved once again why it’s a favorite lifestyle destination by teaming up with PUMA to host the brand’s exclusive Nitro Run. With more than 1,000 runners taking part across 5K and 10K categories, the mall came alive with energy, enthusiasm, and a shared spirit of fitness.

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The event went beyond being a race; it celebrated togetherness, wellness, and the joy of an active lifestyle. Activity zones like a Glitter Station and T-shirt distribution counters added a fun, memorable touch for participants, making it a complete community experience.

“Vegas has always envisioned itself as more than just a shopping destination – we are a hub for lifestyle, fitness, and entertainment. Hosting the PUMA Nitro Run reflects our commitment to curating experiences that bring communities together while promoting health and well-being,” said Ravinder Choudhary, Vice President, Vegas Mall.

The Nitro Run successfully combined fitness, brand engagement, and community celebration, reinforcing Vegas Mall’s position as a go-to destination for large-scale, vibrant events in Delhi NCR.

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