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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on October 22, 2024
Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of its latest property in Rishikesh, offering travelers a blend of modern comfort and scenic beauty. Located in the peaceful Upper Tapovan area along the Badrinath Highway, the new Stone Wood Rishikesh provides a perfect retreat for guests seeking both relaxation and adventure in the heart of Uttarakhand.
The property is ideally located near popular local landmarks such as Laxman Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, Ram Jhula, and the Beatles Ashram, as well as several rafting points along the Ganges River. Guests can conveniently explore Rishikesh and Haridwar, with the hotel situated just 8.7 kilometers from Rishikesh Railway Station and 23 kilometers from Jolly Grant Airport.
Stone Wood Rishikesh offers 37 spacious rooms, each equipped with private balconies, high-speed Wi-Fi, LED TVs, and tea/coffee makers to ensure a comfortable stay. Guests can also enjoy a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, and Western dishes, a coffee shop, and a swimming pool. The hotel caters to both leisure and business travelers with facilities like a luxury spa, indoor games, banquet spaces, and conference rooms.
Shikhar Kumar, MD, Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts
“As we expand into Rishikesh, we are excited to offer guests a unique stay that combines the comforts of home with the luxuries of a resort in one of India's most spiritually significant and naturally beautiful locations,” said Shikhar Kumar, MD of Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts. “Our goal is to elevate the travel experience in Rishikesh, catering to the diverse needs of families, solo travelers, and adventure enthusiasts.”
The launch of Stone Wood Rishikesh is part of the group’s mission to provide affordable luxury across some of India’s most popular travel destinations. Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts now adds Rishikesh to its growing portfolio, which includes properties in Goa, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, Gokarna, Dandeli, Amboli, and Dharamshala. Established in 2017, the group remains committed to offering value-for-money vacations with personalized service at every location.
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By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 5, 2025
Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on its asset-light strategy with a major move—selling Playa Hotels’ real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. This follows Hyatt’s acquisition of Playa in February for $2.6 billion, including debt. Playa operates 24 luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
The sale covers 15 of Playa’s resort assets, effectively reducing Hyatt’s net purchase price for the remaining Playa business to around $555 million. The deal, still pending regulatory nods in Mexico, is expected to close before the end of 2025.
As part of the arrangement, Hyatt and Tortuga will enter into 50-year agreements for these properties, allowing Hyatt to continue managing the resorts. Thirteen of the resorts will operate under Hyatt’s standard management fee structures, with two under separate agreements.
Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian called the move transformational, noting it turns the Playa acquisition into a fully asset-light transaction. "It also ramps up our fee-based earnings," he added. Hyatt now anticipates its asset-light earnings mix could hit at least 90% by 2027.
Analysts view the swift real estate divestment positively, seeing it as a smart way for Hyatt to stay nimble while bolstering returns. Proceeds from this deal will primarily go toward repaying loans taken to finance the Playa buyout.
Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a flagship Accor property, has proudly announced that it has been awarded the Green Key Certification, a globally recognised eco-label that underscores excellence in sustainable tourism and hospitality.
Granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—one of the world’s leading environmental education organisations and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)—the certification marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising guest comfort or luxury.
Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, we believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a way of life. Being Green Key certified reinforces our commitment to offering eco-conscious experiences that align with global environmental standards.”
The hotel has rolled out various impactful initiatives, from using clean, renewable energy and implementing robust waste management practices to driving water conservation, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainably sourcing products. These measures are designed to benefit not only the environment but also the local community.
As travel trends increasingly lean towards conscious luxury and responsible tourism, this certification positions Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach as a leader in sustainable hospitality in India.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality player, has announced the signing of a new Vivanta property in Anjuna, Goa. This greenfield project marks another step in IHCL’s strategy to grow its presence across key leisure destinations in India.
Strategically located in Anjuna, celebrated for its vibrant culture and beaches, the upcoming Vivanta Anjuna, Goa will feature 110 well-appointed rooms. Guests can look forward to an array of facilities including an all-day diner, a bar, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and modern conference spaces, catering to both leisure and business travellers.
Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, shared, “IHCL has been at the forefront of pioneering destinations and has played a defining role in putting Goa on the global tourism map for over five decades. This signing is in line with our strategy to expand IHCL’s presence across segments in key leisure markets. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Fiesta Hotels with this new project.”
The hotel is being developed by Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., led by directors Ravinder Kumar, Manju Vardhan, Raj Vardhan, Harsh Vardhan, Gagan Garg, and Gaurav Garg, who have deep investments in real estate and hospitality. Ravinder Kumar, Director, Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to collaborate with IHCL through the addition of our second hotel in Goa. It stands as a testament to our shared vision to deliver exceptional experiences in one of India’s most cherished destinations.”
Goa continues to attract travellers with its sun-soaked beaches, Portuguese-era architecture, thriving culinary and music scene, and vibrant local communities. With this signing, IHCL’s Goa portfolio grows to 18 hotels, including five under development, underscoring its long-standing commitment to shaping Goa’s tourism landscape.
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