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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on May 29, 2024
The Fern Hotels & Resorts, a prominent player in eco-friendly hospitality in India, is proud to announce the opening of three new hotels in Western India. This expansion includes The Fern Residency in Gandhinagar, The Fern Wisteria Resort in Dhari, Gujarat, and The Fern Residency in Bhiwandi-Pimplas, Maharashtra. With this addition, The Fern now operates 27 properties in Gujarat and 28 in Maharashtra, further solidifying its leadership in these key markets and showcasing its dedication to exceptional guest experiences.
Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director of The Fern Hotels & Resorts, shared his excitement about the group’s ongoing growth. “We are thrilled to introduce three new hotels to our guests. Each property embodies our dedication to providing unparalleled service, comfortable accommodations, top-notch facilities and unforgettable experiences. In line with The Fern Hotels & Resorts’ philosophy of sustainability and community engagement, the new properties are committed to implementing eco-friendly practices and supporting local initiatives in their respective regions.”
The Fern Residency, Gandhinagar
Situated near Sargasan Cross Road, The Fern Residency in Gandhinagar offers 75 modern rooms and suites. The hotel features a fully-equipped gym, the multi-cuisine restaurant Amara, and extensive banquet and meeting facilities. With three distinct meeting spaces—Utsav I, Utsav II, and Utsav Hall—the hotel caters to both social and corporate events. Its strategic location, just 8.4 km from Gandhinagar Railway Station and 17.6 km from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, makes it ideal for business and leisure travelers.
The Fern Wisteria Resort, Dhari
Located in the serene surroundings of Gujarat’s Ambardi Safari Park in Amreli District, The Fern Wisteria Resort in Dhari offers a tranquil retreat with 30 well-appointed cottages and villas. Guests can enjoy facilities such as a gym, the vegetarian specialty restaurant Orchard, the open-air Wisteria Café, and spaces for indoor and outdoor games. The resort is also equipped for large gatherings, with the 1034 sq. ft. Den and the expansive 28,000 sq. ft. Sherbagh. Despite its peaceful setting, the resort is easily accessible, being only 6 km from Dhari Railway Station and 170 km from Rajkot International Airport.
The Fern Residency, Bhiwandi-Pimplas
The Fern Residency in Bhiwandi-Pimplas, located north-east of Thane, offers 79 rooms and suites. As a significant trade hub connecting Mumbai and North-West Maharashtra, Bhiwandi is a strategic location for business travelers. The hotel boasts a range of facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, the multi-cuisine restaurant Flavors, a pool-side café, and a rooftop Restobar. For events, the hotel provides the 268 sq. ft. Board Room, Grand I and Grand II Banquet Halls, each 2500 sq. ft., and an 8000 sq. ft. lawn, perfect for weddings and corporate events. Conveniently, the hotel is only 3.9 km from Bhiwandi Railway Station and 34 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Each property integrates eco-friendly practices, ensuring that guests can enjoy luxury and comfort with a minimal environmental footprint.
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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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