Kerten Hospitality’s “Pipeline with a Purpose” sees one new opening a month between now and the end of 2022
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New properties in Kuwait, AlUla and Rome follow recent openings in Tbilisi and Istanbul, as well as a pioneering gelato brand in Riyadh
DUBAI, September 2022: Following on from the much-lauded opening of The House Hotel Old Tbilisi in July this year, mixed-use ESG-focused lifestyle operator Kerten Hospitality is ramping up development, with more than 40 purpose-driven projects across 12 brand concepts in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the CIS region.
Between now and the end of 2022, Kerten Hospitality will open one new concept a month, a robust pipeline-with-a-purpose that puts the brand’s strong commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and responsible community-based business practices in the spotlight, with every opening aiming to have a long-term positive impact on the community in which it operates. Upcoming openings include hotels in Rome, Kuwait and AlUla which will be closely followed by a new opening in Marrakech later this year. The brand’s mixed-use developments focus on connecting travellers and residents, with collaborations and own-brand projects in the food and beverage, entertainment, art and wellness spheres. More than simply opening a hotel or restaurant, Kerten Hospitality builds community-centric destinations and ecosystems where business and leisure combine to create vibrant mini-economies.
Marloes Knippenberg, Chief Executive Office of Kerten Hospitality, believes that the brand’s active development pipeline will bring benefits to both guests and investors. “As we ramp up our developments, we’re creating jobs in each destination we enter, proactively hiring locally and creating opportunities for those looking for career development. We’re also supporting businesses by purchasing locally wherever possible,” she says. “More developers are seeking to connect with operators to look jointly at creating something that brings not only a long-term ROI, but that also connects to the neighbourhood through mixed-use projects that drive year-round footfall. At Kerten Hospitality, we’re in the perfect position to drive forward more of these projects with a purpose.”
A collection of ESG-focused hospitality brands
Kerten Hospitality’s diverse range of brands currently includes:
The House Hotels – The House Hotel are laid-back luxury properties in prime locations that marry cultural elements with classic and contemporary styles, offering tailored destination experiences that connect to the community. Currently open are The House Hotel City Yard Jeddah, an energetic and stylishly designed lifestyle hotel connected to some of the city’s most exciting food and beverage concepts, and The House Hotel Old Tbilisi, a restored traditional merchant’s house in the Georgian capital’s historical heart, with hand-painted murals by Musya Qeburia in each of the rooms. Upcoming projects are well underway in Egypt, Kuwait and Turkey.
Cloud 7 Hotels – A young-at-heart lifestyle brand, Cloud7 focuses on punchy, colourful design, and shakes up the concept of what it means to be a hotel. Deskless check-in, lobbies that function as social hubs, healthy grab-and-go food, and boutiques selling locally made products are all part of what makes Cloud7 much more than just another mid-scale hotel. Currently operating in Ayla Aqaba in Jordan, and StaySO by Cloud7 in Istanbul’s Bomonti neighbourhood, with upcoming projects in prime locations in Egypt, Italy, Jordan and the UAE.
The House and Cloud7 Residences – Both The House and Cloud7 brands incorporate residences and serviced apartments for short- or long-term stays, connecting guests to the local community with communal spaces, brand collaborations and buzzing dining venues. They have plenty to offer investors too, with the combined benefits of the brands’ trademarks, full services and facility management leading to premium selling prices.
Nakhati – Just opened in August in Riyadh, Nakhati, meaning “my flavour” in Arabic, is Kerten Hospitality’s purpose-driven premium gelato brand offering more than just deliciously unexpected flavours and local Saudi ingredients. Nakhati offers fledgling Saudi entrepreneurs the opportunity to launch their own franchises with access to initial funding, a range of options from a simple gelato cart to kiosk or fully-fledged store, and a comprehensive suite of high-quality business tools and mentorship programmes to support the growth and empowerment of franchisees.
Ouspace – Ouspace brings a collaborative working space environment to each of Kerten Hospitality’s residential developments, replacing the traditional meeting rooms and business centres of the past with a future-looking solution. The spaces are blank canvases, offering flexible space for events, social scenes for those who like to be part of something bigger, and efficient, functional workplaces for when something just needs to get done. It’s the future of business. Upcoming openings planned in Jeddah and Tbilisi.
A development pipeline with a purpose
Kerten Hospitality’s ambitious pipeline of upcoming projects spans ten openings in the next eight months, with ten additional signings in progress and a total of more than 45 projects in development. Upcoming projects include openings in Egypt, Georgia, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and range from urban to resort projects in locations both familiar and emerging.
Much of the brand’s purpose is built on the ESG initiative UBBU – United. Building a Better Universe. Inspired by the Butterfly Effect, based on the fact that small actions, especially when done by many, have the power to prompt global impact and change, the brand’s UBBU philosophy drives every project from the beginning to completion. From early steps, such as a commitment to hiring staff locally and using local materials, to decisions around supporting social causes, creating markets for local artists and artisans, to making simple adjustments to heat, water and air-filtering systems, UBBU is the foundation on which every project is built.
“ESG is more than a nice-to-have for Kerten Hospitality,” says Knippenberg. “It drives everything we do, from a social to an environmental level. Our belief in UBBU is shared by every member of our team, and that drive to bring only positive impacts on the destinations in which we operate is one of the key foundations of our business.”
Launch of Movie Nights at Cafe 49, Juhu in association with Shamiana Short
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Mumbai, September 2022: Juhu's popular and coziest spot and an all-day space, Cafe 49, is all set to launch their first ever Movie Nights in association with Asia's largest Short Film - Shamiana on 23rd September,2022 - Friday - 8 pm onwards.
From date nights, clubbing, to movie nights, or just chilling, we have our way of enjoying our evening.Well, let’s make your this Friday night a little interesting. Ditch the same old movie night and go for a short film screening. Head to Cafe 49, Juhu in Juhu, and get ready to immerse in the world of exciting series of Short Films along with great food and vibe.
If films and you go well, then nothing should be stopping you from going there. Indulge yourself not in one, nor two but three amazing, and interesting mix of short films this Friday,23rd September from filmmakers across the globe.
The films are going to be screened are:
1. LEELA, is about a girl who is finding happiness and positivity in everything around her with the simple touch of color and creativity despite all the challenges and emptiness in her life. Set in a small town in Spain, the film is a visual treat and an award winning background score makes it even better! The film is from Spain and is for 11 minutes.
2) LA FEMME ET LE TGV, is an Oscar Nominee film of 2019, is about a beautiful and true story between an elderly woman and a TGV train driver out to rediscover and restart her life, telling us that it's never too late to dream or to aspire. Set in a picturesque small town of Switzerland! One of the best shorts you'll ever see.
3) DREAMING OF PEGGY LEE, directed by James Everett, is about two children escape their oppressive care home to sneak into a 1940's Jazz club in London. Broadway style, based on the songs and music of the iconic Peggy Lee. Absolute brilliance!*Winner – Best live Action short – Chicago International Children's film festival. The film is from UK and for 14 minutes.
Come join us for an evening watching the best short films.
Other Information:
Event: Movie Nights at Cafe 49, Juhu
Date & Time: 23rd September - 8 pm
Address: Cafe 49, The Emerald Hotel, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai - 400049
Entry: Free
RSVP: 9223379071
Puratos introduces fresh new identity reflecting its purpose of ‘moving the planet forward’
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Encompassing everything Puratos stands for, ‘Food Innovation for Good’ encapsulates the company’s ongoing ambition to continue and further increase its positive global impact for future generations.
In the new logo, industry professionals will recognize Puratos’s familiar unicorn – a symbol of courage and integrity. It now faces forwards, towards an exciting future. Another key change in the company’s identity is the more widely used house color of red which represents Puratos’s passion, commitment and determination.
Sophie Blum, Puratos CMO, highlighted: “Our new identity underlines our unwavering commitment to our customers, employees, partners, and consumers, and to further accelerate the growth of our business and our customers. As the implementation of our new identity begins, our worldwide community of modern marketers will leverage data, digital and artificial intelligence tools and techniques to engage and support our customers, helping them successfully stay ahead of the curve by collaboratively creating innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere.”
The company’s new identity will help reinforce the message that Puratos is a trustworthy, progressive and ethically minded brand. As such, Puratos aims to continue tackling some significant issues within the food industry and remains dedicated to creating change that matters to move the planet forward through sustainable actions.
Blum also emphasized: “Sustainable entrepreneurship has been high on our agenda for many years. We believe that, as a responsible food business, it is important to deliver life-changing social contributions wherever we operate. We already have a range of initiatives in place to support this. Our Bakery Schools provide youngsters with quality education and create the skills needed within the industry, while our Cacao-Trace program is helping cocoa farmers worldwide increase their income, thanks to the production of superior-tasting chocolate through the mastering of the fermentation process. These are just two examples of how we are fulfilling our deep-rooted ambitions to implement and adhere to a sustainable, respectful and balanced operating model and we will continue working towards this in 2022 and beyond.”
About Puratos
Puratos is an international group, which offers a full range of innovative food ingredients and services for the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors. We serve artisans, retailers, industrial and food service companies in over 100 countries around the world. Our headquarters are located in Belgium, where the company was founded in 1919. At Puratos, we believe that food has extraordinary power in our lives. We do not take such a responsibility lightly. This is why we aim to help customers be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experience gathered from food cultures around the world into new opportunities. Together, we move the planet forward by creating innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere.
Visit: www.puratos.com
Empowering Women of Hospitality: Workshop on Data Analytics under “WOMEN IN DATA” Program By Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute
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Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and Learning Links Foundation conducted a two-week long online workshop on “Data and Analytics” under the “Women in Data” Program, a collaborative effort of Learning Links Foundation & Dell Technologies.
The workshop was conducted from August 29, 2022, to September 11, 2022, through MSTEAMS platform. The program was exclusive to female students of the college and enhanced their data centric skills, which they can use in the hospitality sector. The workshop was attended by 30 female students of BCIHMCT.
Resource persons, Mr. Sonu Gupta and Ms. Raveena Singh, Learning Links Foundation, took interactive sessions every day and made the students learn about the different functions and formulas of MS Excel.
In the hospitality sector, Data Analytics is a skill which is needed and used by all hospitality managers. These sessions will definitely aid budding professionals to grow professionally and accelerate their career path in the times to come. Students should accumulate more skill sets like these and use it in a way that will benefit the organization.
During the two-week workshop, students have also completed a short-term online certification in “Introduction to MS Excel” from online education platform www.simplilearn.com.
From BCIHMCT, Mr. Mohan Jain, Assistant Professor, coordinated the workshop and solved all technical glitches from time to time.
JW MARRIOTT MUMBAI JUHU ADDS A NEW AMENITY –EV CHARGING STATION FOR GREEN TRAVELLERS, LAUNCHES A DIGITAL CAMPAIGN “CHARGE FOR CHANGE”
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The EV charging station at the hotel is a part of the electric mobility revolution in the country and the hotel’s commitment to a sustainable future.
Mumbai, September 2022 – JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, the 5-star luxury hotel in Mumbai is pleased to introduce an all-new amenity for their guests – the EV charging station. The hotel has been committed to be a leader in offering guest experiences that exceeds expectations and setting the standard for global sustainability targets within the industry. The property is dedicated to finding and integrating leading environmental and social practices across their hotel operations. In partnering with a like-minded organizations, the hotel aims to enhance and strengthen their commitment towards sustainability, benefitting their business and the communities they serve.
The EV charging station at the hotel has been installed in collaboration with Charge Zone and the chargers are compatible with all on-sale four-wheeler EVs in India. The EV charging facility i.e. Charge Zone’s 60kW DC CCS2 fast charger can charge two electric cars simultaneously.
From design to the guest experience, sustainability is embedded into the hotels business strategy. The hotel collaborates with their associates, suppliers, business partners and guests to actively reduce the environmental impact. While integrating sustainability across their hotel operations and mitigating climate-related risk, the property is working to reduce their environmental impact, build and operate sustainably and source responsibly.
The hotel also recently launched a social media campaign “Charge For Change” promoting the new facility at the hotel. To view the campaign film, click here.
About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 100 JW Marriott hotels in over 30 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com
Booking.com appoints Santosh Kumar as Country Manager for India,Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia
/Wednesday, September 2022, India: Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, has appointed Santosh Kumar as Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia. He succeeds Ritu Mehrotra, who earlier served in the same role.
With full responsibility for the leadership and development of Booking.com’s business in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, Santosh plays a critical role in driving growth, strategy and operations across one of the most dynamic and diverse regions in the Asia Pacific. Santosh is a seasoned leader, who brings over a decade of leadership experience from the travel and hospitality industry.
As the travel industry navigates its next phase of recovery and looks at new growth prospects, Santosh will spearhead efforts to shape the future of travel in the region with a strong focus on supporting our partners in rebuilding their businesses, while ensuring the company continues to deliver the best value to our customers.
“Santosh joins us as an entrepreneurial and strategic leader with an in-depth understanding of the travel and technology industry. With over 15 years of experience in managing multicultural teams, Santosh will spearhead the region with a strong focus on supporting our partners in rebuilding their businesses, while ensuring the company continues to deliver the best value to our customers.” said Nuno Guerreiro, Regional Director, South APAC & Chains.
Previously, Santosh was Managing Director of the Indian subcontinent at HRS Group, a global SaaS-based corporate travel accommodation technology provider. He has also worked at American Express Global Business Travel and has extensive consulting experience working with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Deloitte, Collabera and Diamond Management and Technology Consultants in USA and India.
“I am honoured and excited to lead the Booking.com business in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia. Booking.com’s mission is to make it easy for everyone to experience the world and with us slowly embracing the new era of travel, I am looking forward to working closely with our accommodation partners to ensure that we offer travellers the most convenient, seamless and unforgettable experiences in travel.” Santosh Kumar said
ABOUT BOOKING.COM
Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world whenever it’s safe to do so again. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay - from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties worldwide to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 28 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.5 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.
Nestlé CEREGROW™ expands portfolio, launches CEREGROW™ Grain SelectionTM inspired by traditional ingredients
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In line with Nestlé India’s commitment to innovate by unlocking the power of food, Nestlé CEREGROW™ has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new sub-brand, CEREGROW™ Grain Selection™. Inspired by traditional ingredients, the 1st product being launched in this range is a nutritious cereal for toddlers made from ragi, mixed fruits and ghee.
Commenting on the launch, Vineet Singh, Head, Nutrition Business, Nestlé India, said, “After the pandemic, parents are increasingly looking for ways to integrate traditional ingredients and recipes into their children’s diets, along with the confidence of assured nutrition. Nestlé CEREGROW™ Multigrain Cereals with Milk & Fruit, has been one of our most successful launches in the recent past with the promise of ‘Full Nutrition, Full Assurance (Poora Poshan, Poori Tasalli)’. We believe that the all-new CEREGROW™ Grain Selection™ Ragi mixed fruits & ghee, will help mothers incorporate traditional ingredients in their toddler’s diet in a nutritious and tasty form.”
Millets have been an integral component of the food basket in India, and CEREGROW™ Grain Selection™ is an ode to rediscover the value of these traditional millets. The new, CEREGROW™ Grain Selection™ ragi, mixed fruit & ghee, would be available across major retail and online stores in India.
To honour the nutrient-rich millets and increase public awareness, 2023 has been declared as the International Year of Millets. Grown for over 4000 years, millets like ragi (also known as nachni, mandua, keppai) require less water for cultivation and is good for sustainable agriculture.
Alma Resort Promotes Talented Homegrown Hospitality Professionals
/CAM RANH, Vietnam September 2022 – Alma Resort has appointed two directors of food and beverage who bring a total of almost three decades of rich industry experience to the executive team of the 30-hectare beachfront property.
Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler named Doan Pham Anh Tu as director of F&B (outlets operation) and Nguyen Huy Cuong as director of F&B (MICE and F&B sales) at the resort overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula. Both Tu and Cuong had been assistant F&B directors at Alma before their promotions.
After graduating from Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Nha Trang branch) with a bachelor’s degree in English linguistics and literature, Tu started his 15-year career as a waiter at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in 2007. He became the restaurant manager of Nha Trang’s Green Apple restaurant and Red Apple bar before taking on a role in marketing and logistics at a Vietnamese metal container manufacturer.
Tu then climbed the ranks at Mia Resort Nha Trang, first as a restaurant captain, then a restaurant supervisor, assistant restaurant manager, restaurant manager and assistant F&B manager before joining Alma in 2019 as assistant F&B director.
Describing himself as “responsible, highly resourceful and reliable”, Tu said his strengths include people management, staff development, targets and budgets, menu planning, and function management.
Born and bred in nearby Nha Trang, Cuong studied English for business and tourism at Nha Trang Teachers’ Training College before starting his 12-year hospitality career as a waiter at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. He then became a guest relations officer at Six Senses Con Dao before returning to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay as an F&B supervisor.
He then became a restaurant manager at Vinpearl Land Nha Trang, assistant manager at InterContinental Nha Trang Costa Seafood restaurant, assistant outlet manager at Duyen Ha Resort Cam Ranh and outlet manager at The Anam before joining Alma as outlet manager in July 2019. Cuong was then promoted to assistant F&B manager and later assistant F&B director.
Cuong said he was “dedicated, hard-working and open-minded” and looking forward to learning more in his new role overseeing the resort’s MICE and F&B sales.
7 Classic Tiling Tips For Your Hotel Interior Design by Isha Tandon
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Hotels are synonymous with opulent tiles as they are one of the most visible and popular interior design products present everywhere. Be it in the lobby, in the bathroom, in the hallways, or on the walls, you just cannot do without the durable tiles. They can either make or break the way your hotel is perceived and considered whether it is a luxury, mid-range, or low-budget hotel. Today, with so much advancement a wide range of colors, patterns and materials are available that you can choose to help your hotel brand and integrity to rise. The interiors alone are in a position to give your commercial space a distinct character, neatness, asepsis, and comfort that guests will cherish for years, and in turn, build for a great business. Also ensure that when choosing floor tiles for a hotel, paying attention to safety and comfort is of prime importance and not only to aesthetics as aesthetics will not ensure prolonged durability which is way more important.
Criteria For Choosing The Right Tile
There could be different factors as to which types of floor tiles can be used for your hotel’s interior design. The biggest one has to be the ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and to sustain the dust and grime that come with the customers. For a detailed and simplified search for the right tiles for your hotel flooring, you can consult with tile experts who will give you an exact breakdown of what works and what doesn’t. Different types of floor tiles work for different areas, you just have to choose the ones that work for hotel lobbies, rooms and restaurant areas.
Want to take your hotel’s interior design to opulent heights, then check out the following useful tips:
Stone Tiles for Hotel Floors
Considering that most commercial properties go for luxury, hotels are great spaces to install natural stone tiles in. Apart from the aesthetic value that stone tiles add, they are also very durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic and will last you years before they give in. They are also available in various colors that will help you in decision making as to which suits the best and widens the scope of choosing the right kind.
Tiles for Hotel Lobbies and Corridors
The hotel lobby is the first space a guest will step in and have a look at. It is very important to make a good first impression for the hotel to be remembered. Be it a luxury hotel or a low-budget venue, it’s very important to opt for tiles that are not only good-looking but are also functional and practical. The tiles finally chosen should not only be eye-catching but they must compliment the primary function of the rooms and other spaces. They should fit well with other elements like artifacts and other décor items in the lobby and corridors.
Wood Look Tiles
If you are under a budget, going for traditional hardwood flooring doesn’t make sense. But what if we say that you can nail the same look but with a cheaper but equally good-looking alternative? That’s right, wood look tiles are the latest entrants in the market that give you the appearance of wood flooring but are extremely strong for public places like hotels. Plus, thanks to their easy maintenance, there’s not much effort required from your end to keep the place up and running.
3D Textured Tiles
Now that many things come in 3D to make it more realistic, the tile industry too has made its foray into the 3D space. 3D textured tiles give you the desired depth and realistic presence for the flooring as well as the walls or wherever they are installed. Advances in tile manufacturing have led to reinventions of trends and tile styles such as bohemian, baroque and mosaics. Mosaics are extremely versatile and increasingly popular as they are able to be installed in flat or even curved surfaces in dry and wet spaces. Coming in a variety of sizes, colours and shapes, mosaics become an easy choice to create a different style.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
To get authentic wood and stone flooring but with a much lower price point, luxury vinyl sits best within this category. They are waterproof, dust-resistant, non-porous and stain-resistant as well – all that a busy hotel requires! In fact, if you lay a carpet over them, they have soundproofing properties too that makes it even more desirable as you do not want one room’s acoustics to be heard in the other. Add to the fact that it is extremely easy to maintain and clean so that hassle is out of the picture too!
Large Format Tile
For smaller spaces, large format tiles are a great addition since they bring an illusion of a smaller space looking bigger. How? The grout lines are minimally visible, and the large size makes a bigger impact than other smaller size tiles whose grout lines are very readily visible. These large format tiles are ideal both for indoor and outdoor areas, thus a perfect choice for the space.
Black and White Marble Tiles
The classic combination of black and white remains unbeaten among many other colour combinations. They bring in a factor of timelessness and class while keeping the space understated and still worthy of discussion. White is a statement-making color while the addition of black gives it a hint of color. Marble tiles mimic the veining patterns of natural marble stone which make it look elegant and opulent – something that most hotels are looking for!
If you own a business-like hotel, you need to focus on bringing your guests back for the quality of what they get for the money they pay. That includes everything from the ambiance, service, flooring, bathroom hardware, and so on. These few tips will help you make a stylish hotel.
Author’s Bio:
Isha Tandon
The author works for Orientbell Limited, a leading tile manufacturer in India. Isha’s knack for understanding audiences helps her create value-driven content for her readers that not only educates and informs but is engaging and interesting to read as well. She creates lifestyle pieces that focus on interior design products, trends, and processes. She loves to travel to historic places with rich architecture.
Meliá Chiang Mai Launches A Journey to the Farm Package
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Meliá Chiang Mai is ushering guests onto a nearby 250-acre gourmet organic farm, to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming and healthier eating, as part of its A Journey to the Farm Package.
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, 2022) – Meliá Chiang Mai is ushering guests onto a nearby 250-acre gourmet organic farm, to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming and healthier eating, as part of its A Journey to the Farm Package.
Under the new hotel’s ‘360° Cuisine’ program its kitchen works closely with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm in San Sai District, sourcing ‘farm to plate’ organic produce that travels only a short distance. As much of each ingredient is used – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – before ‘plate to farm’ food waste returns to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept.
Priced at THB 8,800 nett (USD 243 nett) per room for two, the A Journey to the Farm Package comprises two nights in a Meliá Room, daily breakfast for two, and a day trip for two to the scenic farm inclusive of a picnic lunch.
The farm experience includes feeding the animals, walking through the farm with a guide to learn about both the cultivation of Meliá Chiang Mai’s fruits, vegetables and herbs as well as Ori9in’s Pharm traditional herbal medicine garden, and a chance to rummage through a garden maze.
According to chef turned sustainable farmer James Noble, who oversees ORI9In, the day trip is a chance for guests to learn more about the journey their food and these products have made, as well as who has been a part of that journey.
“This is tourism that leaves no footprint on the land; we’re trying to show people that you can have a day out without harming what you came to see in the first place,” he said.
Under the partnership between Meliá Chiang Mai and the farm, local farmers grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs for the hotel’s restaurants, bar and spa. In addition to local seasonal produce such as young morning glory, red basil, lemongrass and passion fruit, the farm grows various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialized ingredients such as padrón pepper that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
“The partnership is a central plank of our ‘360° Cuisine’ program, under which we aim to work closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production to make communities and the overall food system more resilient,” said the hotel’s general manager Edward E. Snoeks.
Towering over Chiang Mai’s River Ping and Night Bazaar, Meliá Chiang Mai opened in April. With a design that pays tribute to Chiang Mai’s charming history and culture with a contemporary flair, the hotel comprises a striking 22-floor tower fronted by an adjoining seven-floor podium building.
Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrating Spain’s famed gastronomy, the hotel’s dining landscape features restaurants Mai Restaurant and Bar and Laan Na Kitchen, bars Mai The Sky Bar and Tien Pool Bar, and lounges Ruen Kaew and The Level Lounge; the latter a 21st-floor executive lounge with panoramic views of the city.
Culinary Team At Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Celebrates Two Promotions
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(Mumbai, India): The reputed culinary team of Four Seasons Mumbai celebrates Chef Shehrezad Kapadia and Chef Abhishek Gurav by announcing their well-deserved promotions. Infusing the brand ethos into everything that they do, both chefs showcase exemplary talent and dedication to their craft, to their guests and to the hotel.
Chef Shehrezad Kapadia has been promoted to Executive Sous Chef after having dedicated her career of more than 12 years to this property. This illustrious career has included successful short-term cross training and project-led deployments to international Four Seasons properties such as those in Chiang Mai, Milan and most recently Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. Chef Shehrezad has also worked alongside internationally renowned chefs such as Chef Vineet Bhatia, Manish Mehrotra, Himanshu Saini, Massimo Bottura and Mike Bagale while working on banquet events and pop-ups at Four Seasons Mumbai over the years.
A member of the pre-opening team of Four Seasons Mumbai, Chef Abhishek Gurav has been promoted to the role of Chef de Cuisine for the property. In his last 14 years of experience, Chef Abhishek has been instrumental in setting up kitchens of AER, the award-winning rooftop bar & lounge, along with the Thai kitchen that is one of the core offerings of San:Qi, the critically acclaimed Pan-Asian Speciality restaurant. Trained as a certified nutritionist, he takes great pride in catering to the needs of a discerning Four Seasons guest.
With this duo setting a solid foundation, Four Seasons Mumbai is sure to further cement its position as a market leader in the culinary world.
Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach appoints Rahul Bhale as the Executive Chef
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Visakhapatnam, September 2022: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach appointed Rahul
Bhale as the Executive Chef. Bringing on the table his expertise and extensive knowledge of
global culinary trends, Rahul’s vision to lead Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach will help
create an unparalleled dining experience for the patrons. Chef Rahul is passionate about
curating an experience that nourishes the soul.
In his new role, Rahul will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s overall culinary operations
which include hiring, training, supervising culinary staff, curating menus, layout for the
price, budgeting, performance assessment, and cost control with effective output. Chef Rahul
shows immense credibility and will be shouldering the responsibility to ensure all health & safety and service standards are being enforced.
On Rahul Bhale’s appointment, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam
Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expressed, “It’s a pleasure to have Rahul Bhale join our team as the Executive Chef. We believe with his extensive experience he will further elevate the dining experiences for our patrons along with his strong foundation and seasoned experience in culinary operations as well as avant-garde gastronomy which will be a good addition to our F & B department”
As a Chef with a passion for serving the gastronomic industry by presenting innovative dishes with a distinctive twist, Rahul brings a wealth of experience to this new role, having worked
in some of the best properties for an impressive 13-year tenure across India & UK such as
Hilton Hotels, UK, Ibis Nashik, Ibis Styles Goa Calangute Resort, Goa, Ibis Novotel Techpark,
Bangalore, Novotel Chennai Sipcot, Chennai and many more. Rahul has earned many
accolades for his merit, he was Flagged as one of the highest online revenue generations
within Accor pan India in the year 2021 and aims to further facilitate the hotel’s promise of
delivering unique and unparalleled hospitality for guests at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun
Beach.
Sofitel Mumbai BKC Launches New Negroni Cocktails for Negroni Week
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Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the elegant, luxury hotel in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, has just launched a new Negroni cocktail menu, to celebrate Negroni Week.
Available till September 18, 2022, at the hotel’s Le Bar Diamantaire, the special menu offers patrons five different types of Negroni cocktails. These include Campari Boulevardier; Campari Spagliato; Campari In & Tonic; Hazelnut Negroni; Campari Garibaldi; and Chocolate Orange Negroni.
Each Negroni cocktail on the special menu is priced at Rs. 899 plus taxes. Proceeds from the sales of the cocktails go to charity.
Visit Le Bar Diamantaire till September 18, 2022 to enjoy the special cocktails being served to celebrate Negroni Week.
Le Bar Diamantaire
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
C 57, G Block BKC
Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra East
Mumbai – 400051
Hours of Operation: 12 pm – 12 am, Monday-Sunday
Telephone: +91 22 6117 5115
Kumar Raipancholia has been appointed as AVP Sales and Distribution for SaffronStays
/Kumar comes with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and is tasked with driving occupancy growth and numbers for the 7-year-old start-up that currently has 250+ homes under the banner
As supply for SaffronStays, India’s foremost and exclusive collection of fully staffed and serviced private vacation homes grows, the brand has roped in Kumar Raipancholia to lead demand as AVP, Sales and Distribution. This comes shortly after opening doors in vital new markets like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kumar comes with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and is tasked with driving occupancy growth and numbers for the 7-year-old start-up that currently has 250+ homes under the banner.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Kumar is an alumnus of Bandra’s MET Institute of Management. In 2012 he had his first brush with the MICE and FIT segments at Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotels and Residences He then spearheaded the same segments at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa before moving to Alila Diwa Goa – A Hyatt Brand as Associate Director, Sales. With over 10 years of experience in the MICE-Weddings, FIT and Travel Trade experience of Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi NCR markets, Kumar comes armed with immense knowledge in the conventional accommodation space.
Says Devendra Parulekar, Founder, SaffronStays, “Besides setting ourselves on a path of profitability, a critical objective for 2022 that we’d set for ourselves was to professionalise the company. From a start-up that was a rank outsider to the industry, to causing the industry veterans to be a part of the category, SaffronStays has come a long way. It was time to induct professional talent from the hotel industry to take us to the next level. This is why we sought out Kumar Raipancholia as Chief of Sales and Distribution to help us navigate the complex world of hospitality sales. He will build and cultivate distribution channels including travel agents and OTAs, and leading website sales that has been the largest contributor to our sales.”
Says Kumar Raipancholia, “Ever since Airbnb opened its doors, it has opened travellers’ minds to the possibility of staying in a home, instead of a hotel. After the pandemic-induced lockdowns, we have seen a shift in the minds of the guests who are now turning to Homes Stays as an option while looking for their holiday. Private villas are aspirational getaway options; to holiday in and to own. Guests who stay in these estates always go back with a feeling of owning a private villa, and then wanting to partner with SaffronStays to monetise the asset after they’ve spent a few years enjoying it.”
SaffronStays has been recognised as one of India’s Top 100 Luxury Brands in Luxebook’s Most Powerful 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 and featured in MoneyControl’s 75 Brands That Changed The Way We Live list. It was the only Curated Network of Private Vacation Homes to be featured on any list. Moreover, 1 in every 12 villas from Conde Nast Traveler’s 50 Top Villas In India, is an exclusively managed estate by SaffronStays.
“I am here to build SaffronStays as a brand eponymous with quality standards, experiences and brand values in the premium and budget vacation rental space. This space is growing incredibly quickly and in another 5-7 years will be the default choice for Indians and inbound international guests as well. Today’s consumer wants luxury seeped in privacy, experiences and hassle-free service; and villas offer just that,”
Where a luxury hotel room costs ~₹25,000 for 2 pax, SaffronStays offers a base-category villa for 6 pax along with a personal home chef, a pool and complete service. “I am here to take this brand to every corner of India and spread its wings across international waters. SaffronStays should be the first brand that a guest equates to a holiday getaway.”
When he is not working, Kumar, a self-proclaimed auto enthusiast, is researching the latest supercars in the market or planning a trip from his bucket list, with Japan currently topping that.
The Westin Hyderabad mindspace put fourth a range of sustainability initiatives
/Onsite bottling plant, Green powers, EV charging stations etc, a some of the initiatives taken by the hotel
At Westin Hyderabad, sustainability and the environment are deeply ingrained into our operational procedures. Guided by Marriott International’s 2025 sustainability and social impact goals and Chalet Hotels Limited‘s RE100, EP100 and EV100 initiatives linked to renewable electricity, energy efficiency and electric mobility respectively, they are pleased to announce the launch of our Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station at the hotel on the occasion of World EV Day.
Some of their sustainability initiatives to minimize our environmental footprint as a part of our amenities are:
Onsite Bottling Plant – Eradication of Single-Use plastic water bottles.
Our vision to eradicate single-use plastic is in line with our mission to reduce the global carbon footprint and our commitment to be environmentally friendly through sustainability initiatives. The bottling plant at the hotel generates 240 litres of water in an hour which will be available in glass bottles for the guests in guestrooms as well as restaurants.
“Sustainability is the most powerful resource in business today”
Amitabh Rai, Cluster General Manager, The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace and Hyderabad Market.
Green Power– The first hotel in Hyderabad to get 100% green power.
“Sustainability is the most powerful resource in business today. Investing and implementing initiatives that use renewable energy and are eco-friendly, and reduce dependence on non-green sources enable benefits that are far-reaching even in terms of return of investment. The impact that these initiatives have on minimizing the carbon footprint and climatic change is very important to account for as a collective global responsibility.” says, Amitabh Rai, Cluster General Manager, The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace and Hyderabad Market
Sumit Kumar Sharma has been appointed as the General Manager at Renest Haridwar
/He will be responsible for day-to-day operations and management of the hotel, while leading the teams to drive revenues and enhance the brand value
A Hotel Management graduate from IHM Bangalore, Sumit Kumar Sharma has been in the industry for over 2 decades. He brings with him an astute sense of business and markets. His hospitality journey began with Ananda in the Himalayas. He then moved to Novotel Convention Centre Hyderabad and has also worked with The Grand, New Delhi.
He was then appointed as a Resort Manager in Suryavilas. Sharma has a proven record of success in the preopening assignment at Sarovar Portico in Dehradun.
In his role as a General manager at Renest Haridwar, he will be responsible for day-to-day operations and management of the hotel, while leading the teams to drive revenues and enhance the brand value. In his personal time, he loves to travel, and binge eat.
The Ultimate Maldivian Adventure for Luxury Travel Partners,Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts gives a taste of the “Joy of Giving”
/Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts gives a taste of the “Joy of Giving”
Mumbai,September 2022: With the growing prominence of the Maldives in the Indian outbound market, leading hospitality group Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, organized a familiarization tour for 25 Indian travel agent partners to six of their Maldives properties. Atmosphere which is well known for their brands - THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU and By Atmosphere. The objective of the visit was to familiarize the agents, about the brand architecture, as well as experience the unique Atmosphere hospitality, weaved with the values of the Joy of Giving.
The two group familiarization tours began simultaneously. The 1st Group kicked off their trip from OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and OBLU SELECT Lobigili followed by OBLU NATURE Helengeli. The following day the partners started with OBLU Select Sangeli before moving on to the next property, VARU By Atmosphere. On the other hand, the second group started from VARU By Atmosphere and then to OBLU SELECT Sangeli followed by OBLU NATURE Helengeli and concluded at OBLU NATURE Helengeli.
On the occasion of this familiarization tour, Vignesh Mohan, Director of Sales for Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts said “It was an opportunity for our partners to experience the “Joy of Giving”, which they have been extending to our mutual customers and guests in India. It was important to us that all segments of the trade community experience this and thus we invited our wholesale partners along with the travel agents. We especially focused on some of our gastronomic offerings including Indian and international cuisine, along with outdoor activities and wellness initiatives.”
Maldives offers the Indian traveler, a dream destination in close proximity and still undiscovered. Its natural place in the Indian ocean creates for an appealing union of azuring views of the blue, a taste of the Maldivian culture, adventure sports and wellness. The itinerary was specifically curated in a manner that brought key elements of the experience to the fore, including exquisite gastronomy at the specialty restaurants in each of the resorts and the under ocean restaurant Only BLU at OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi. An escape to the view of alluring Indian Ocean with exemplary services and exclusive dinners at all the properties left the tour group of 20 luxury travel partners from India captivated.
JW MARRIOTT MUMBAI JUHU ANNOUNCES THE ELEVATION OF ROHIT CHADHA AS THE EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF
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Chef Rohit Chadha is looking forward to curating innovative concepts that are inspired by the local community and exceeding expectations of the JW Marriott Juhu guests.
Mumbai, September 2022 - JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, the 5-star luxury hotel in Mumbai is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Rohit Chadha as the new Executive Sous Chef of the iconic property.
With a rich culinary experience spanning over a decade, Chef Rohit Chadha has previously spearheaded the team at Dashanzi, the award-winning progressive modern Asian cuisine restaurant at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, and worked across leading brands in India and the Middle East, in addition to working alongside three-time Michelin Star Chef Allen Passard and industry stalwart Chef Hemant Oberoi. His unparalleled passion for his work, drive for innovation, and extensive knowledge of local and international cuisines have been instrumental in his success. Among his many achievements, Chef Rohit was one of the top 10 leading chefs in India selected for the “Himalayan Raw and Fine Journey” contest hosted by a leading travel magazine in 2019 for a culinary tour of Japan.
Chef Rohit shares his experience saying, “From my first day at the hotel, I was given the opportunity to live the experience of serving and enjoying my job. I am empowered to create concepts that are inspired by our communities. The creativity, passion and entrepreneurial spirit of my team makes me who I am today. From working with local horticulturists to prioritizing responsible sourcing, the team and I are committed to delivering gourmet experiences for our guests. Marriott is my home and my school to continue learning by living the company’s core values.”
In his new role, Chef Rohit Chadha will work closely with the culinary team at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu to curate compelling, innovative and locally relevant dining experiences that are gratifying and fulfilling across the hotel’s distinctive restaurants, in keeping with the JW Marriott brand promise.
Marriott International Signs Agreement for Inaugural Property in Papua New Guinea
/Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby is Expected to Open in Mid-2023
Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with Steamships Trading Company Ltd., to debut its first property in Papua New Guinea, the Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby. Slated to open in mid-2023, the property is set to be located in the heart of Port Moresby within the mixed-use development of Harbourside South.
Mr. Geoff Cundle, Chairman of Steamships, said, “I’m delighted that Steamships will work with Marriott International at Harbourside South. Located in the CBD district of downtown Port Moresby, and overlooking the Coral Sea and Fairfax Harbour, this is set to be a flagship development for Steamships, and this property is an excellent fit within the overall Harbourside precinct. The Harbourside precinct connects Harbourside South’s retail, commercial, leisure, and residential facilities with the existing commercial floors and F&B outlets of Harbourside East and West. Residents and guests of Marriott Executive Apartments Port Morseby will be able to live, shop, relax, work, and dine within the luxury and safety of the precinct – the first of its kind in Papua New Guinea.”
Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby is anticipated to feature 88 modern residential apartments – offering space, ambiance, and privacy of residential living, enabling a comfortable stay away from home. The new property is slated to feature spacious one and two bedroom apartments with separate living, sleeping, and working areas. Guests will also be able to enjoy additional amenities, including laundry services, kitchens equipped with a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, microwave, and oven, and spacious dining areas.
“We are excited to work with Steamships Trading Company Ltd. to debut Marriott International’s first property in Papau New Guinea,” highlighted Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Marriott International. “Following our signing of Marriott Executive Apartments in Melbourne earlier this year, this is an exciting signing and testament to the confidence our owners have in this brand.”
Upon opening, Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby is expected to feature a lounge for residents and guests that offers a relaxed environment for light meals, self-service options and evening cocktails. Additional plans call for a spacious leisure floor which includes a lap pool, leisure pool, a well-equipped fitness center, three spa treatment rooms, and a recreational zone for children.
Marriott Executive Apartments Port Moresby will serve as an integral part of the new Harbourside South development, which also features a retail floor and three floors of A-grade commercial space. It will connect to the Harbourside East and West buildings on Port Moresby’s waterfront, which opened in 2015. The development offers quality commercial tenancies, the city’s finest restaurants and bars, a boardwalk, and marina.
Steamships Trading Company Ltd is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Papua New Guinea’s National Stock Exchange (PNGX) and is part of the wider Swire Group, which includes the Hong Kong- listed Swire Pacific Ltd, owners of Swire Hotels, Cathay Pacific Airways and numerous other subsidiaries.
