The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center Introduces New Course on Leadership Excellence

The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center Introduces New Course on Leadership Excellence

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 4, 2024

The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center has launched a new course, Leading Employee Excellence, which redefines how leaders inspire excellence within their teams. Amanda Joiner, Global Vice President of the consulting firm, announced that the course focuses on behaviors that set the example for leadership, driving a culture of excellence. This initiative is part of the Center’s broader mission to leverage The Ritz-Carlton’s Gold Standards to help companies enhance both customer and employee experiences, thereby gaining a competitive edge.

The Leading Employee Excellence course is an immersive experience led by Ritz-Carlton facilitators. It incorporates firsthand experiences, dynamic videos, and discussions among attendees from various industries. The course highlights ten key behaviors that help leaders model brand guardianship, demonstrate accountability, and empower employees to make decisions confidently.

“This learning experience goes beyond theory, providing actionable takeaways, including a six-month roadmap tailored to participants’ individual goals,” said Joiner. She emphasized that the course content is especially valuable for leaders responsible for shaping strategies and overseeing career development across different sectors.

The course will be presented for the first time on October 22-23, 2024, at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. It is a full-day, onsite event, with participants having the option to attend on either day. The agenda includes meals, breaks, and a networking reception. Attendance is limited to maintain an intimate learning environment, and the course fee is $2,495 per person. Details on registration and accommodations can be found on the Leading Employee Excellence website.

The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center is known for its global consulting services, helping organizations transform their business by creating outstanding employee and customer experiences. As an extension of The Ritz-Carlton brand, the Center uses proven methodologies to drive sustainable business success through a culture of excellence.


Zari Debuts Luxury Hospitality Brand with Launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

Zari Debuts Luxury Hospitality Brand with Launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

Zari has announced its entry into India's luxury hospitality landscape with the launch of Bijapur Lodge in Jawai, Rajasthan. The boutique property marks the debut of the new hospitality brand, which aims to create intimate, experience-led stays rooted in authentic local culture, thoughtful design and personalised hospitality.

Positioned as more than a traditional luxury hotel brand, Zari is built around the philosophy of offering meaningful travel experiences that celebrate destination, heritage and community. The company plans to expand its portfolio with several boutique luxury properties across India in the coming months.

Located in Rajasthan's renowned Leopard Country, Bijapur Lodge is an exclusive six-suite retreat set amidst Jawai's dramatic granite landscape. Spread across five acres of restored natural terrain, the property has been designed to offer guests privacy, tranquillity and immersive experiences while embracing sustainability and understated luxury.

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One of the property's signature experiences is its private leopard safari, led by experienced naturalists who introduce guests to Jawai's unique ecosystem, where leopards have coexisted peacefully with the indigenous Rabari community for generations. The conservation-focused safari offers visitors an opportunity to experience one of India's most remarkable wildlife destinations while gaining insights into its ecological and cultural significance.

The culinary programme at Bijapur Lodge highlights Rajasthan's rich food heritage through its Curated Heritage Table, featuring consultant-designed menus prepared using hyper-local ingredients, seasonal produce and traditional recipes. Guests can enjoy regional specialities including Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, Ker Sangri and wood-fired delicacies that celebrate the region's culinary traditions.

Beyond wildlife experiences, the lodge offers a range of curated activities including sunset sundowners overlooking Jawai's granite hills, guided Rabari village walks, birdwatching, boat excursions and sunrise yoga sessions amidst nature. Each experience has been designed to encourage deeper connections with the destination, its people and its cultural heritage.

Commenting on the launch, the management of Zari said the brand was created with the belief that true luxury is deeply personal and rooted in meaningful experiences, genuine hospitality and a strong sense of place. They added that Bijapur Lodge embodies this philosophy by offering guests an intimate connection with Jawai's wildlife, traditions and culture, while future Zari properties will continue to celebrate the unique identity of each destination.

The launch of Bijapur Lodge marks the beginning of Zari's vision to establish a portfolio of boutique luxury properties across India, focused on experiential travel, sustainability, cultural authenticity and personalised hospitality.


InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping Unveils Curated July Experiences Across Dining, Wellness and Lifestyle

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping Unveils Curated July Experiences Across Dining, Wellness and Lifestyle

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping has unveiled a collection of wellness, culinary and lifestyle experiences for July, inviting guests to embrace the slower pace of the season through thoughtfully curated offerings inspired by Northern Thailand's heritage and global flavours.

At the heart of the wellness programme is the Rainy Season Wellness Journey at The ii Spa. Designed to reflect Lanna's traditional healing practices, the experience combines a 60-minute Traditional Thai Massage with a 30-minute herbal compress treatment to ease muscle tension, improve circulation and promote deep relaxation.

Dining takes centre stage at the hotel's signature HONG Chinese Restaurant, where guests can enjoy A Taste of China, a four-course set lunch celebrating Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary touch. The menu features double-boiled chicken soup with ginseng, steamed scallop with egg white custard, wok-seared Wagyu beef, and chilled almond tofu with osmanthus syrup and goji berries.

At KAM Lobby Lounge, guests can indulge in a dragon fruit-inspired afternoon tea, blending tropical flavours with classic French pâtisserie in a setting enriched by traditional Lanna art. Available through the end of August, the experience includes handcrafted desserts, savouries and beverages, with an option to pair the tea with a glass of Prosecco.

Families visiting The Gad Lanna can also take advantage of a seasonal dining promotion, where children aged 12 years and below receive a complimentary dish from the kids' menu for every THB 800++ spent by an accompanying adult. The offer is available for lunch and dinner until the end of August.

The rooftop HONG's Sky Bar continues to elevate the city's nightlife with a series of seasonal promotions. Every Thursday in July, Gin & Glow Ladies Night offers female guests a complimentary Bombay Gin & Tonic, while Sky Social features a two-for-one offer on selected cocktails and wines every weekday through September. Guests can also enjoy Bao After Dark, pairing signature bao buns with a selected beverage as part of a special evening menu.

With experiences spanning wellness, family dining, afternoon tea, rooftop cocktails and refined Chinese cuisine, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping offers guests a diverse selection of seasonal experiences designed to capture the spirit of summer while celebrating the hotel's signature hospitality


Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Redefines the Staycation Experience

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Redefines the Staycation Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 10, 2026

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE has introduced a reimagined staycation experience, offering guests a blend of luxury, wellness, culinary excellence, and personalised hospitality in the heart of the city. Built around the brand's Golden Rule of treating others as they would wish to be treated, the hotel aims to create meaningful experiences that go beyond a traditional stay.

Surrounded by Bengaluru's pleasant weather and lush greenery, the hotel offers an urban escape where guests can unwind without leaving the city. Every aspect of the stay has been thoughtfully designed to create a sense of comfort, relaxation, and belonging for individuals, couples, families, and even their pets.

Commenting on the experience, Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, said:

"A staycation at Four Seasons is never simply about stepping away from home. It is about being looked after in ways that stay with you long after you leave. We hold every detail to the highest standard, not because it is expected of us, but because our guests deserve nothing less. Whether you arrive from across the street or across the world, the experience should feel complete, considered, and unmistakably Four Seasons."

The staycation programme has been curated to suit different kinds of travellers. Families can enjoy outdoor spaces, movie nights with fresh popcorn, and interactive activities such as pizza-making and cupcake decorating for children. Couples and solo guests can take part in coffee appreciation workshops, wellness therapies, leisurely breakfasts in bed, or explore Bengaluru through curated local experiences.

The hotel's rooms and suites are designed to offer a seamless blend of comfort and technology. Featuring spacious interiors, smart room controls, motorised curtains, and views of the Bengaluru skyline, each room is complemented by Four Seasons' signature sleep experience with premium mattresses and plush pillows. Guests can also opt for customised magnesium-rich meals created to support relaxation and restful sleep.

For those looking to explore Bengaluru's vibrant food and beverage scene, the hotel offers a range of signature dining experiences. CUR8 serves global cuisine alongside a rotating art gallery, while Far & East presents Japanese, Chinese, and Thai specialities against panoramic city views.

The award-winning Copitas, located on the 21st floor, offers handcrafted cocktails, rare spirits, mixology masterclasses, and sweeping views of the city skyline. Wine enthusiasts can also visit The Wine Studio, where guided tastings, boutique Indian wines, artisanal cheese pairings, and rare vintages create an immersive wine experience.

Wellness remains at the heart of the staycation, with Infuse Spa offering therapies inspired by Bengaluru's natural surroundings and cultural heritage. Guests can also enjoy personalised fitness consultations, rejuvenating wellness treatments, or simply unwind by the resort-style outdoor pool.

By combining destination-inspired wellness, award-winning dining, curated experiences, art, and pet-friendly hospitality, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru continues to offer an urban retreat where guests can disconnect from the routine while staying in the heart of the city.

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