ELIVAAS and Alivaa Hotels & Resorts have entered into a strategic sales and marketing alliance aimed at expanding their reach across India’s growing leisure and corporate travel segments.

The collaboration brings together two hospitality brands with different yet complementary strengths. As part of the agreement, both companies will support each other’s hospitality assets through shared sales, marketing, and representation efforts, helping improve visibility across channels and partner networks.

ELIVAAS has been steadily growing its presence in premium leisure destinations across India through its brands ELIVAAS and Alaya Stays. The platform focuses on curated private villas and experiential stays, catering to group travel, celebrations, and destination getaways.

On the other hand, Alivaa Hotels & Resorts operates a portfolio of mid to upscale hotels under its brands Alivaa, The Hoften, and Xenious. The group caters to both leisure and business travellers across multiple destinations in the country.

This alliance is designed to bring together the strengths of both organisations. While ELIVAAS contributes its expanding footprint in the luxury villa segment, Alivaa Hotels & Resorts adds its established presence in the hotel space. At the same time, both brands will continue to operate independently while benefiting from shared opportunities in sales and market access.

Commenting on the development, Ritwik Khare, Founder and CEO of ELIVAAS, said, “As travel demand becomes more diverse across leisure, corporate and experiential segments, distribution partnerships are becoming increasingly important for hospitality brands. This alliance allows both organisations to leverage complementary strengths in sales outreach and market access, while continuing to operate and grow our respective portfolios independently.”

Mr. Vikramjit Singh, Founder of Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, commented on the partnership, stating, “This alliance marks a significant milestone for Alivaa and ELIVAAS. By combining our portfolios and expertise with ELIVAAS, we are confident that we can achieve deeper penetration and a greater competitive advantage to both the brands.”

Pune's fried chicken scene just got a serious upgrade. Nashville Fried Chicken, the bold comfort food concept from Zorawar Kalra and Massive Restaurants Pvt Ltd, has officially arrived in the city, bringing the same crispy, flavour-packed experience that has already built a loyal following across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

This isn't your standard fried chicken chain. Nashville Fried Chicken has a very specific approach to getting it right, and the details matter. The chicken is massaged with robust spices and marinated for 18 hours before it's ever fried. The buns are proofed for 18 hours to achieve that soft, cloud-like texture that holds up to the fillings without falling apart. And the sauces, including Comeback Sauce, Secret Sauce, Honey Mustard, and Hot n Spicy, are all made in-house. Every element of the experience has been thought through, which is exactly what you'd expect from the team behind Louis Burger and Slyce Pizza.

The menu covers a lot of ground and does it well. The signature Fried Chicken Bucket with Peri Peri and Hot n Spicy sauces is the go-to for those who want heat and plenty of it. Glazed Chicken Tenders and Wings bring a slightly different texture to the table, while the Nashville Style Fried Chicken Burger, finished with spicy slaw and a dusting of paprika, is the standout sandwich on the menu. The Big Cluck Burger, Tandoori Fried Chicken Burger, and Hot American Summer round out the non-vegetarian options, while Pretty Boy Fries, Clucking Coop Wrap, and Fiery Double Chicken Wrap give you more reasons to order generously. Vegetarian options are also on the menu for those who want something from the spread.

For delivery, the packaging has been specifically designed to keep the chicken crispy throughout the journey, which matters more than it sounds when you're ordering fried chicken at home or at the office.

Zorawar Kalra shared his enthusiasm for the Pune launch. "Having seen the love from our patrons across India for Louis Burger, we are thrilled to now bring the bold flavours of Nashville Fried Chicken to Pune. Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a menu that combines global culinary expertise with the authentic indulgence of great fried chicken. With Pune's vibrant food culture and love for comfort food, we are excited to offer fried chicken enthusiasts a truly exceptional experience that they can enjoy from the comfort of their homes."

Nashville Fried Chicken is available on Zomato and Swiggy in Pune.

Long weekends feel like a gift, and the best way to use one is to actually get away. Not a full-blown vacation, but a well-planned short trip to somewhere that genuinely helps you reset. Here are five destinations that deliver exactly that, each with the kind of stay that makes the whole trip feel effortless.

Goa: Sun, Sand and Absolutely No Rush

Goa is the kind of destination that never really needs a reason. The beaches, the cafes, the slow-moving coastal rhythm, and the nightlife that picks up just when you need it: it all adds up to a long weekend that feels twice as long as it actually is. ibis Styles Goa Vagator is a solid base for this kind of trip, with stylish interiors, comfortable stays, and easy access to Vagator's beaches, neighbourhood cafes, and everything else that makes North Goa so hard to leave.

Guwahati: Northeast India's Best-Kept Secret

If you haven't been to Guwahati yet, a long weekend is exactly the right format for a first visit. Set along the Brahmaputra River with hills as a backdrop, the city offers a combination of natural beauty and cultural richness that's genuinely refreshing. Mayfair Resort in Guwahati makes a strong case for itself as a base, spread across 35 acres with landscaped gardens, private villas, and expansive lawns. It's the kind of property that makes you want to stay in almost as much as go out and explore.

Jaipur: Royal Heritage, Modern Comfort

Jaipur is one of those cities that rewards even the shortest visit. Forts, bazaars, heritage streets, and local food that stays with you well after the trip: there's a lot to cover in three days if you plan it right. ibis Jaipur sits in a convenient location with a rooftop pool, spa, and on-site dining, making it a practical and comfortable base for ticking off the Pink City's highlights without spending too much time getting from one place to another.

Himachal Pradesh: Mountains, Pine Forests and Peace

For those who just need quiet, Himachal Pradesh delivers it consistently. Cool mountain air, scenic valleys, pine-lined paths, and the kind of panoramic views that make you put your phone down for a while. Whether you're heading to Shimla, Manali, or a quieter corner of the state, a long weekend here tends to feel restorative in a way that few other destinations match.

Uttarakhand: The Himalayan Reset

Uttarakhand is what you book when city life has been particularly relentless. Hill stations, forested landscapes, crisp air, and Himalayan views that shift how you look at things, even briefly. It's a destination that requires relatively little planning to get right: arrive, slow down, and let the mountains do the rest.