Alivaa Hotels & Resorts has entered Ayodhya's hospitality market with the opening of The Hoften Raghuvan Ayodhya, expanding its presence into India's spiritual tourism segment. Located in Beniganj along the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg, the property is positioned to serve pilgrims and leisure travellers visiting the city, including those seeking accommodation close to the Ram Mandir.

The launch marks another step in the group's expansion across business, leisure and emerging spiritual destinations. Alivaa operates through its hospitality brands, including Alivaa, The Hoften and Xenious, catering to different traveller segments and market requirements.

Ayodhya's growing prominence as a spiritual and cultural destination has increased the focus on accommodation and organised hospitality infrastructure. The Hoften Raghuvan has been introduced to address the needs of visitors looking for contemporary comforts while travelling to the city for religious and leisure purposes.

A key feature of the property is its commitment to 100% pure vegetarian dining, with food offerings intended to suit the preferences of pilgrims and families. The hotel also provides well-appointed rooms, modern amenities and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Alivaa's Expansion into Spiritual Tourism

Commenting on the launch, Akash Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer (M&F), Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, said Ayodhya's emergence as a major centre for domestic and international travel makes it an important destination in the group's expansion plans.

He added that The Hoften Raghuvan aims to bring the company's hospitality capabilities to a city where guest experiences are closely connected to faith, culture and tradition, while offering comfortable accommodation that remains sensitive to its spiritual setting.

Inderpal Batra, Co-Founder & CFO, Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, said the Ayodhya entry reflects the group's expansion strategy and its interest in emerging tourism corridors driven by spiritual and cultural travel.

He added that the company intends to build a scalable hospitality portfolio through its brands, supported by owner partnerships, operational efficiencies and disciplined growth.

Shivam Jain, Owner of The Hoften Raghuvan Ayodhya, said the partnership with Alivaa brings The Hoften brand to a destination with growing importance as a spiritual tourism centre. He highlighted the property's location on the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg, vegetarian dining and accommodation facilities as features intended to serve pilgrims and leisure travellers.

Key Features of The Hoften Raghuvan Ayodhya

• Location: Beniganj, on the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg, with access to the Ram Mandir and other spiritual landmarks.

• Dining: 100% pure vegetarian food offerings.

• Accommodation: Well-appointed rooms with contemporary amenities.

• Connectivity: High-speed Wi-Fi.

• Market: Alivaa Hotels & Resorts' entry into Ayodhya and the spiritual tourism segment.

About Alivaa Hotels & Resorts

Alivaa Hotels & Resorts is an Indian hospitality company operating through its brands ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, The Hoften and Xenious. Its portfolio caters to business, leisure and emerging travel segments, with a focus on contemporary accommodation, warm hospitality and locally relevant guest experiences.

The company is pursuing expansion through hotel-owner partnerships and a growing portfolio across business, leisure and tourism destinations in India.

The opening of The Hoften Raghuvan adds Ayodhya to Alivaa's network and marks its entry into a destination where the demand for visitor accommodation is closely linked to religious and cultural travel.

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Vedant Enterprises to develop South Asia's largest Courtyard by Marriott property in Bengaluru. Named Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hi-Tech Defense and Aerospace Park, the 350-room hotel is expected to open in 2030, adding to the hospitality options in one of the city's growing business destinations.

The property will be located within Bengaluru's expanding Defense and Aerospace Park, a 2,600-acre Special Economic Zone (SEZ) developed by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). The location is expected to attract business travellers from the region's growing hardware, aerospace and technology sectors. Its connectivity to National Highway 7 and Kempegowda International Airport will also make travel easier for guests.

Speaking about the signing, Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, said, “The signing of the largest Courtyard by Marriott in South Asia marks a key milestone for Marriott International. It reinforces our commitment to expanding in one of India’s most dynamic cities - Bengaluru. With over 25 Courtyard by Marriott hotels across South Asia, the brand is a key growth driver of our portfolio in the region. This new addition is poised to meet the evolving needs of Bengaluru’s thriving business and MICE sectors, offering an unparalleled stay experience at exceptional price points. We are thrilled to collaborate with Vedant Enterprises on this landmark project as we support the enhancement and diversification of the city’s hospitality landscape,”

The hotel is planned to feature 350 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, a signature all-day dining restaurant with a bar, a fully equipped fitness centre, a spa and a swimming pool. It will also offer approximately 2,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor meeting and banqueting space, making it suitable for large conferences, business meetings and social gatherings.

Sharing his views on the project, N Madhava Raju, CEO and Managing Director, Fairlark, which owns Vedant Enterprises, said, “This signing represents a defining step for the Fairlark Group as we venture into the hospitality sector. Our decision to partner with Marriott International and bring a 350-key Courtyard by Marriott to the market reflects our confidence in Marriott’s established market leadership and the strength of its global distribution network. We believe North Bengaluru, particularly the rapidly evolving Aerospace Park micro-market, is poised for significant growth, driven by its proximity to the international airport and the expanding ecosystem of aerospace, technology and business enterprises. Our confidence in both the location and the brand has encouraged us to take a bold step with what is set to become South Asia’s largest Courtyard by Marriott. This project marks the beginning of Fairlark’s long-term hospitality journey, built on our commitment to quality, customer-centricity and creating enduring value,”

With this agreement, Marriott International continues to strengthen its presence in Bengaluru while expanding the Courtyard by Marriott brand across South Asia. The upcoming property is expected to serve the city's growing business and MICE segments, particularly with the development of the Defense and Aerospace Park and its surrounding commercial ecosystem.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has signed a new resort under the Taj brand in Barapani, Meghalaya. The 140-key property is a conversion project and will further expand the company's presence in Northeast India.

Speaking about the signing, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “As travel patterns evolve, destinations such as Meghalaya are gaining prominence for their unique natural appeal and expanding tourism infrastructure. Taj Barapani further strengthens IHCL’s presence in the Northeast and complements our existing portfolio, creating a seamless travel circuit across Guwahati, Barapani and Shillong. We are delighted to partner with Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd. for this project.”

Located along the banks of Umiam Lake, Taj Barapani will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar, a café and a lobby lounge. The resort will also offer indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre, the brand's signature J Wellness Circle spa and a salon.

Catering to both leisure and business travellers, the property will include dedicated spaces for meetings and events. These facilities will feature a banquet hall spread across more than 6,000 sq. ft., along with pre-function areas, meeting rooms and a boardroom.

Sharing their views on the partnership, Arun Kumar Rai, Managing Director, Ajay Kumar Rai and Anuj Kansal, Directors, Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to partner with IHCL to bring the iconic Taj brand to Barapani. Combining the destination’s natural appeal with Taj’s legacy of hospitality, we believe the hotel will further strengthen Meghalaya’s tourism landscape.”

Barapani is known for the scenic Umiam Lake, a large man-made reservoir surrounded by green hills and forests. The destination's natural surroundings have made it an attractive spot for travellers exploring Meghalaya.

With the addition of Taj Barapani, IHCL's portfolio in Northeast India will reach 22 hotels, including 16 properties currently under development. The signing also adds to the company's efforts to strengthen its presence across emerging leisure destinations in the region.

About the Owning Company

Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd. is a hospitality venture promoted by Arun Kumar Rai, Ajay Kumar Rai and Anuj Kansal. The promoters have business interests across several sectors, including alcoholic beverages, tea gardens, real estate, healthcare, hospitality, infrastructure, entertainment and cine production.