Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang in Gangtok, marking the group’s entry into the retreat hotel segment in the state of Sikkim. The 38-room property is perched on a hilltop in Pangthang and offers unobstructed views of the Eastern Himalayas, with Mount Kanchenjunga visible from the resort.

Surrounded by pine tree plantations and natural mountain landscapes, Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang is designed for travellers seeking peace, seclusion, and a slower, more immersive travel experience. Although the property is within driving distance of Gangtok’s main township, its elevated hilltop location ensures a calm setting, away from the activity of the city.

Commenting on the launch, Sumit Mitruka, Founder & Managing Director, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “Gangtok and the surrounding region are seeing growing interest from travellers who are looking for deeper engagement with nature and a strong sense of place, beyond conventional sightseeing. Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang reflects our evolving approach to destination-led hospitality in the mountains, where wellness, environment, and local context come together in a subtle and thoughtful manner. This opening strengthens our presence in the Northeast and aligns with our long-term vision of developing distinctive destination hotels.”

The property features 38 rooms across multiple categories, including superior rooms, deluxe rooms, premium suites, attic suites, and luxury suites. All rooms are designed with private balconies, offering uninterrupted views of the Himalayan landscape. Select suites also include separate living and dining areas, making them suitable for longer stays. In line with the region’s climate and sustainability considerations, rooms do not include air conditioning or minibars.

Wellness forms a key part of the retreat experience. Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang houses a dedicated spa offering specialised treatments, along with thoughtfully designed spaces for yoga and meditation. These facilities are aimed at providing guests with rest and rejuvenation, enhanced by the calm surroundings and expansive mountain views.

Dining at the retreat includes a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves regional Sikkimese flavours along with Indian and international dishes. Guests can also unwind at the sun deck overlooking Kanchenjunga. For events and gatherings, the property offers a banquet hall spanning approximately 5,000 square feet, with the capacity to accommodate over 500 guests. The space is suitable for destination events, retreats, and intimate social functions.

Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang is part of the Summit Signature Series, a segment within the group’s portfolio that focuses on experience-driven properties with elevated design, service, and contextual immersion. With this launch, Summit Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its presence in the Northeast, catering to leisure travellers, wellness seekers, and small groups exploring Sikkim and the Eastern Himalayas.

As Republic Day falls on 26th January 2026, travel experts are seeing a surge in Indians planning short getaways and “minications” over the long weekend. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE & Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, and SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, share insights on emerging travel trends.

Rajeev Kale notes, “The upcoming Republic Day long weekend, falling on Monday, with the option to take leave on Friday or Tuesday, offers travel-hungry Indians a welcome 4-day break. We are seeing strong interest in both domestic destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, Andamans, and neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Short-haul international spots including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Maldives, Mauritius, Central Asia’s Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and new island destinations like Sabah, Cebu, Boracay, Sa Pa, and Phú Quốc are gaining popularity. Families, millennials, Gen Z, and young professionals are also exploring drivecations to offbeat locations such as Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Coorg, Ooty, Munnar, and Wayanad.

Additionally, our customers increasingly prefer unique accommodations, heritage bungalows, havelis, forts, tree houses, or plantations and outdoor activities including safaris, biking, camping, trekking, water rafting, paragliding, as well as spa and wellness getaways.”

SD Nandakumar adds, “Long weekends are perfect for short breaks, and for Republic Day, travellers are eyeing popular winter destinations like Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan, engaging in soft adventure and winter sports like mountain biking in Gulmarg, ice skating in Shimla, skiing in Auli, and glamping in Rajasthan. Nepal and Bhutan are also seeing demand.

Non-standard travel experiences are trending, tree houses in Wayanad, Chikmagalur, Munnar, or Thekkady; restored heritage forts in Goa; private villas in Alibaug with chefs; plantation bungalows in Darjeeling, Assam, and Coorg. Indians are also exploring easy visa destinations like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Greece is gaining attention with direct flights from low-cost carriers.

Spiritual tourism is rising too, with travellers visiting Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Bodh Gaya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Rishikesh-Haridwar, and southern circuits like Tirupati, Rameshwaram, Kanchipuram, as well as Sri Lanka’s Ramayan Trails. Importantly, demand is no longer limited to metros, with strong growth from tier 2 and tier 3 cities.”

The insights show a clear trend: Indians are looking for short, curated experiences with unique stays, adventure options, and spiritual journeys, making Republic Day 2026 a prime time for travel.

Nimbus Realty has joined forces with acclaimed architect Zafar Masud Chaudhary, Founder and Principal Architect of Habitat Architects, to design an exclusive, members-only clubhouse at Tower 5 of Nimbus The Arista Luxe, its premium residential address in Noida.

The clubhouse, envisioned as a tactile and light-filled retreat, reflects Chaudhary’s globally attuned, human-centric design philosophy, prioritising experience, proportion, and understated elegance over ornamentation. Combining texture, light, and spatial layering, the design aims to create an intimate yet expansive environment that resonates with residents on both functional and emotional levels.

Nestled within a 10-acre development comprising 342 finely crafted residences across Towers 5, 7, 8, and 9, Nimbus The Arista Luxe offers expansive landscaped greens, curated water features, and open spaces. The clubhouse will serve as a social sanctuary for residents, fostering community while offering a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.

Sahil Agrawal, CEO of Nimbus Group, commented, “At Nimbus, we approach luxury through intention and longevity. This clubhouse is not ornamental, but instinctive and elegant. Zafar brings a rare sensitivity to scale, materiality, and human behaviour, creating a space that evolves with our residents and becomes part of their daily rituals.”

Zafar Masud Chaudhary added, “Luxury is about atmosphere and the way a space makes you feel. The clubhouse at Nimbus The Arista Luxe is an experiential pause, shaped by light, texture, and continuity. Every detail serves a purpose, creating a subtle yet memorable environment.”

With this collaboration, Nimbus The Arista Luxe reinforces its position at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and lifestyle, offering a refined and emotionally resonant living experience for its residents.