The Francis Hotel in Bath to Undergo £13 Million Transformation

The Francis Hotel in Bath to Undergo £13 Million Transformation

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 23, 2024

The historic Francis Hotel in Bath is set to embark on a significant £13 million refurbishment project. This transformation aims to revitalize the beloved landmark, blending its rich Georgian heritage with modern amenities. Ahead of this major overhaul, the hotel will auction all its current furniture, fixtures, and fittings on July 3, 2024.

The Francis Hotel holds a prominent place in Bath’s architectural history. As one of the first Georgian buildings in the city, it was once home to the 18th-century architect John Wood the Elder, who inspired the design of Queen Square, the Royal Crescent, and The Circus. Over the years, the hotel has remained a key part of Bath’s historical landscape.

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The refurbishment, led by award-winning interior designers 3DReid, will honor the hotel’s Georgian roots while incorporating contemporary comforts. All 98 bedrooms and suites will be redesigned to reflect this blend of historical elegance and modern luxury. The ground floor and lobby will also undergo a complete reimagining, including the introduction of a cozy snug. This intimate space will be open to the public during the day and serve as a relaxing spot for hotel guests in the evening.

A highlight of the renovation is the introduction of a new destination restaurant, The Townhouse Brasserie. This restaurant will feature the finest British cuisine, focusing on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients cooked over an open hearth. The Townhouse Brasserie aims to provide a chic dining experience with a touch of timeless creativity, offering a sophisticated wine list and a memorable ambiance.

Towards the end of the refurbishment program, the hotel will unveil a brand new thermal spa and three treatment rooms. This addition is part of Bath’s broader ambition to become the UK’s leading city for wellness, providing guests with a luxurious and relaxing experience.

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In preparation for the renovation, Pro Auction, specialist hospitality auctioneers, will handle the sale of the hotel's current furnishings. Items up for auction include four-poster beds, writing tables, seating, lamps, drapes, and artwork. Simon Rose of Pro Auction notes that the variety of well-maintained items will appeal to both hotel operators and private buyers.

The auction will take place at The Francis Hotel on July 3, 2024, starting at 10:00 AM. A preview of the available lots can be arranged by appointment on July 2. Catalogs for the auction can be downloaded at https://shorturl.at/nU6GH.

About the Sutton Hotel Collection

The Francis Hotel is part of the Sutton Hotel Collection, which also includes The Castle Hotel in Windsor and The Queens Hotel in Cheltenham. These properties are located in some of England's most picturesque and historic areas, offering a unique blend of heritage and modern hospitality.

This significant refurbishment of The Francis Hotel marks an exciting new chapter for this iconic Bath landmark, promising to enhance its charm and appeal for future generations.


Beyond Palaces and Ballrooms: Indian Weddings Redefine Tradition

Beyond Palaces and Ballrooms: Indian Weddings Redefine Tradition

By Hariharan U

Published on October 1, 2025

Indian weddings have always carried the weight of grandeur, but today’s celebrations are moving beyond the palace-and-ballroom template. Guest lists may be getting smaller, yet the experiences are becoming more imaginative, meaningful, and deeply personal. Couples are rewriting tradition with destinations that offer far more than backdrops they create stories.

 In Ras Al Khaimah, weddings feel like they belong in a dreamscape. Here, mehendis unfold in centuries-old coral-stone courtyards, while adventurous celebrations take flight on the Jebel Jais zipline. At Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, haldis take place barefoot on private beaches, where the golden sun mirrors the turmeric hues. Evenings shift seamlessly from ballrooms glowing with sangeet lights to pheras under desert skies painted in fire.

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 Thailand’s charm lies in its intimacy. Pheras take place on terraces that seem to float above the Andaman, framed by limestone cliffs. Sangeets glow under paper lanterns in tropical gardens, while mornings start with Thai wellness rituals. At Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, weddings begin with a dawn blessing by monks a moment of serenity before the festivities unfold. Each celebration here feels uniquely curated, never copied.

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 Seychelles transforms weddings into experiences that feel elemental. With its scattering of islands—from cultural Mahé to untouched Platte couples celebrate amidst nature that feels otherworldly. Pheras glow on pristine beaches, mehendis spill into palm groves, and starlit sangeets bring families together in landscapes so pristine they feel eternal.

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 Kenya offers backdrops where nature writes half the story. In Nairobi’s wildlife conservancies or the Maasai Mara, vows unfold as elephants graze in the distance and golden skies turn to star-filled nights. Safari lodges double as venues, blending game drives with evening sangeets. Along the coast, Mombasa and Diani host barefoot pheras on soft white sand, followed by Swahili feasts and music carried by the sea breeze. No two weddings here are alike each one shaped by the wild or the ocean.

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 Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas feels designed for Indian weddings. With its vast coastline, palatial ballrooms, and villa clusters, every ritual finds a fitting stage. Lantern-lit courtyards host mehendis, pheras glow beneath Gulf sunsets, and sangeets spark to life in waterparks or glittering ballrooms. It’s luxury and drama, woven seamlessly into days of celebration.

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Sri Lanka offers something different intimacy as the ultimate luxury. Teardrop Hotels’ boutique estates host weddings that feel more like family tales than events. Within Galle Fort, pheras unfold to the rhythm of the ocean. In Nuwara Eliya, misty tea fields wrap couples in a fairytale haze. Along southern beaches, barefoot ceremonies gather only the closest circle, turning vows into cherished secrets.

For Indian couples, weddings have never been just about two people, they’re about family, rituals, and memory. Today, as celebrations shift toward immersive and personal experiences, the future of Indian weddings lies not in how big they are, but in how deeply they resonate.


Banyan Tree Spa Krabi Honoured at Thailand Tourism Awards

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi Honoured at Thailand Tourism Awards

By Hariharan U

Published on September 30, 2025

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi has been recognised at the Thailand Tourism Awards, taking home the Outstanding Award in the Hotel & Resort category and the Sustainability Award in Health & Wellness Tourism. Both accolades reflect the spa’s dedication to personalized care, sustainable practices, and use of locally sourced ingredients.

While Banyan Tree Spa Krabi secured second prize in both categories, its sister property, Banyan Tree Spa Samui, also made the Top 5 for Outstanding and Top 10 in Sustainability, underscoring the Banyan Tree brand’s growing reputation in luxury, wellness, and sustainability.

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Montira Vichiankoo, Spa & Gallery Manager at Banyan Tree Spa Krabi, said, “Our treatments draw from Krabi’s heritage, using ingredients like coconut, turmeric, and tamarind to create authentic experiences. Sustainability is at our core—we support the local community while ensuring our team shares these values with guests. Personalized care is key, from our signature ‘Scent of the Day’ welcome ritual to treatment consultations and self-care guidance after the visit.”

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The spa features eight treatment suites with private gardens and adaptive “colour-calm” lighting designed to balance guests’ chakras. It is also home to Krabi’s first hydrotherapy spa, The Rainforest, offering a holistic wellness journey with a Rain Walk, Steam, Sauna, Ice Fountain, Vitality Pool, Outdoor Cold and Hot Plunge Pools, Jet Pool, and Heated Bed.

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi was recently recognised by the MICHELIN Guide as one of Thailand’s seven most luxurious spas and received 2 Keys for its hotel listing. Its Wellbeing Sanctuary programme, led by Ayurvedic specialist Dr Subhash Shanbhag, combines meditation, yoga, massage, nutritious diet, and sleep therapy to deliver a holistic wellness experience.

The resort itself offers 72 suites and villas, all sea-facing with private infinity and jet pools, alongside recreational activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Thai boxing, hiking, and fine dining with Thai and international cuisine.

About Banyan Tree Group:
Founded in 1994, Banyan Tree Group is a global hospitality leader focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and exceptional design-led experiences. With 58 operating hotels in 17 countries and 47 properties under development, the group has received over 2,900 awards and recognition for its environmental and community initiatives through the Banyan Tree Global Foundation. Strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Accor, support its global growth and guest loyalty programmes.


Wyndham Garden Opens in Conegliano, Italy

Wyndham Garden Opens in Conegliano, Italy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 30, 2025

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Wyndham Garden Conegliano, a four-star hotel located in the heart of Italy’s Veneto region. Known for its cultural heritage and world-class winemaking, the region is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prosecco Hills, offering guests the chance to explore rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and family-run wineries.

The Wyndham Garden Conegliano combines contemporary design with a wide range of amenities for both leisure and business travelers. Its 51 refurbished guestrooms feature modern furnishings, premium bath products, a pillow menu, and mini fridges, along with bright, airy interiors. Guests can enjoy fresh Italian and international dishes at the Nice & Vice self-service restaurant, Starbucks coffee, and a continental buffet breakfast at the Garden Lounge Bar, which transforms into a relaxed evening space.

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Positioned near Conegliano’s train and bus stations and only half an hour from Treviso Airport, the hotel offers easy access to local attractions, including Venice and the Dolomites. Prosecco Road, Italy’s first official wine route, is just a short distance away, inviting guests to enjoy vineyard tours, tastings, and regional cuisine.

The hotel also provides a fitness centre, free parking, and pet-friendly facilities. For business and events, it offers 70 square meters of event space with a meeting room that accommodates up to 50 guests, supported by catering services and audiovisual facilities.

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Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “With the rising demand for meaningful experiential travel, Wyndham Garden Conegliano is ideally positioned to attract this growing audience. Located in the heart of the Treviso wine-making region, the hotel is set to drive further footfall to local wineries, cultural heritage sites, and historic landmarks.”

Alberto Reggidori, CEO, All In Italia Hotels & Resorts, added, “In our third collaboration with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, we’ve created a traditional but modernised destination, where the soul of Veneto is poured into every experience. From the rolling vineyards to the timeless charm of Treviso, guests are invited to savour the beauty, culture, and warmth that define this region.”

This is the third hotel developed under Wyndham’s partnership with All In Italia Hotels & Resorts, following openings in Siracusa and Florence. Guests at Wyndham Garden Conegliano can also benefit from Wyndham Rewards, named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA Today.

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