Hotels & Accommodations
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Celebrates Growth in India with the Opening of Fairmont Udaipur Palace
Nestled in the verdant Aravallis, Fairmont Udaipur Palace blends the grandeur of Rajputana heritage with modern elegance, making it the perfect destination to experience the romance and richness of Rajasthan.
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India – Business Wire India Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of the global hospitality leader Accor, in partnership with Keystone Resorts Pvt. Ltd., proudly announces the grand opening of Fairmont Udaipur Palace — a breathtaking palace perched atop the ancient Aravali Hills in Udaipur, carved in stone, bathed in sunlight and steeped in tranquil calm.
More than a hotel, this is an ethereal destination designed for modern day royalty; a realm where majestic design, immersive rituals, the romance of the hills and rejuvenation of the senses come together across a sprawling 18-acre estate. With 327 rooms and suites, seven distinct event venues, eight dining concepts, a transformative wellness sanctuary, and layered experiences built on Rajasthan’s poetic legacy of timeless art, craft and hospitality, this palace invites every guest into a world where awe meets artisanal creation.
“The opening of Fairmont Udaipur Palace marks a defining moment in Fairmont’s journey in India—a tribute to the timeless beauty and cultural richness of Udaipur, one of India’s most iconic and romantic destinations. Known as the City of Lakes, this destination has long captured the imagination of travelers with its regal heritage, architectural splendor and serene landscape. This new palace reflects Fairmont’s commitment to honoring the spirit of each location we enter, blending global luxury with deep local resonance. We are proud to bring the Fairmont experience to Udaipur and to be part of the city’s enduring legacy as a jewel in India’s cultural crown,”—Omer Acar, Chief Executive Officer, Raffles & Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
A PALACE CARVED FROM STONE, OFFERING RICH TRIBUTE TO THE HILLS Rooted in the distinct architectural style of Mewar’s great fortresses, Fairmont Udaipur Palace rises above rock and marble, chattris and courtyards, stepwells and terraces as a masterpiece sculpted to celebrate design, culture and the natural flora and fauna of the destination. Guests enter through the grand Raj Dwar, a dramatic fortress gateway flanked by cannons, setting the tone for a grand arrival into the palace.
From the soaring dome and royal chandelier of the Palace Lobby with the enchanting virgin hills in the backdrop and breathtaking valley views to the shaded elegance of Panther Patio, the palace unfurls like a story etched in time— through intricately layered pavilions, gardens, colonnades and terraces that reflect the property’s design ethos that blends the region’s traditional craftmanship with contemporary style. The palace honors the primal forces through its three interconnected wings: Surya Mahal, the Sun Palace, bathed in golden morning light, Chandra Mahal, the Moon Palace, cool and contemplative and Agni Mahal, the Fire Palace, where glowing torch-lined corridors and flickering hearths evoke the power and presence of eternal flame.
With a blend of handcrafted detail with sweeping views of the forested hillsides and sun- drenched courtyards, every space is steeped in comfort, beauty, and contemplative charm — a living tribute to nature, memory, and timeless design. At the heart of Fairmont Udaipur Palace is the majestic leopard, symbolizing resilience, grace, and quiet ambition. Depicted in regal sculptures and works of art, it celebrates the spirit of the wild with silent poise and power. The vibrant world of Rajasthani arts and crafts comes alive through the skilled hands of local artisans from villages supported by Fairmont Udaipur Palace. Every detail is a tribute to India’s living heritage — from embroidered artworks, each a labor of love by village craftsmen, to shimmering deep blue panels lining the corridors and courtyards. These intricately adorned panels showcase Thikri work — a traditional Rajasthani mirror inlay craft — etched with motifs that reflect the region’s natural beauty and royal legacy.
“Our endeavour was never just to build a hotel—it was to craft a world. Udaipur has always been a jewel of India, and with Fairmont Udaipur Palace, we wanted to create a destination within a destination—where every guest feels like a modern Maharaja or Maharani. This palace isn’t just built in stone and marble, but in stories, craftsmanship, and soul. From the hand-carved jharokhas to the grandeur of our architecture, every detail is a tribute to India’s royal heritage and Rajasthan’s timeless artistry.
But beyond aesthetics, this project holds deeper meaning. Tourism has always been close to my heart, and Fairmont Udaipur Palace is my way of giving back—to the city, to the state, and to the spirit of Indian hospitality. We wanted to give Udaipur that global edge—a world-class hotel where people from around the world come not just to stay, but to celebrate, to unwind, and to feel the true soul of Rajasthan. It’s our homage to heritage, our tribute to tradition, and our promise to India’s future in luxury tourism,” — Somesh Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of ROCKWOOD Hotels & Keystone Hotels.
A PALACE OF IMMERSIVE STAYS & CULINARY REALMS Guests can choose from Fairmont Rooms, Signature Rooms with plunge pools, Luxury Rooms with garden or courtyard views, and an array of suites including the Fairmont Suite, Maharani Suite and the Maharana Suite — each offering elevated privacy, bespoke interiors, and personal outdoor sanctuaries. The palace also features a collection of specialty suites — including the Rajputana Suite, the Regal Mewar Suite, and the showstopping Jewel of Udaipur Suite with pool and terrace. At the pinnacle of luxury are the Royal Maharaja and Royal Maharani Suites, each featuring private pools, expansive terraces and bespoke detailing fit for modern royalty.
The palace also presents a refined selection of culinary destinations, each envisioned as an immersive extension of its elemental architecture and cultural soul. Bahaar, the all- day dining venue, offers globally focused, locally sourced soul food, celebrating the comfort of regional Indian flavors alongside global inspirations. Dahaad, an opulent palace bar — named after a powerful roar — echoes the wild symphony of Rajasthan, centered around a thikri sculpture of a leopard, a motif of the region’s folklore. Dastaan is a lounge celebrating the art of storytelling. Its name, meaning narrating stories, sets the tone for thoughtful conversations, surrounded by curated coffee table books, artful sculptures and the warm glow of candles. Sitara, a sunset-facing space perched high above the palace gardens, offers cosmic cocktails and sky gazing rituals reimagined as an experience of taste and time. Zaika pays homage to bold Indian culinary traditions through a deeply layered menu of comfort classics and regional specialties, served with modern finesse. Finally, The Ivory Pool Bar offers a tranquil sunken retreat, surrounded by water and forest, where daylight bites and sundowner sips unfold in breezy rhythm.
Following the debut of the property’s signature restaurants, Celeste, an avant-garde Asian bistro, and The Alchemist, a Mediterranean live-kitchen concept inspired by seasonal produce and nostalgic warmth, will open in the coming months, adding new dimension to the palace’s evolving culinary journey.
A THEATRICAL STAGE FOR GRANDEST CELEBRATIONS With over 1,40,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor celebration spaces, Fairmont Udaipur Palace is built for occasions that are worthy of being etched in the memory. At its heart is Jewel, one of the largest ballrooms, featuring crystal chandeliers, hand-tufted carpets and a sunlit glass façade that opens into panoramic terraces, colonnades with valley views and the ceremonial gardens of Jashn Bagh. Another unique highlight is the palace’s dedicated events pool—a stunning, secluded backdrop for poolside soirées, or sunset cocktails.
Additional Event Venues Include: • The Imperial Ballroom – A glittering Art Deco-inspired venue with mirror-clad walls and elegant detailing, ideal for intimate celebrations and refined soirées.
• Mehfil – The ceremonial heart of the palace, lined with over 550 intricately hand- carved marble columns and cascading chhatris, designed as an open-air courtyard for regal gatherings, musical evenings, and traditional performances.
• Ivory Pool and Garden– Nestled amidst natural rock formations, this open-air venue is crafted for live performances, rituals, or cultural storytelling under the stars with the dedicated pool and a jacuzzi.
• Jashn Bagh and Noor Bagh – Expansive, immaculately landscaped lawns set against the palace façade, perfect for grand weddings, receptions, and royal celebrations.
• Chand Baori – A dramatic stepwell replica inspired by Rajasthan’s ancient architectural marvels, serving as a stunning, multi-tiered amphitheater for ceremonies and evening spectacles.
• Dialogue Rooms – Seven bespoke meeting and event spaces, designed for executive retreats, strategy sessions, and creative workshops.
• Terraces – Infinity, Jungle, Sajjangarh, and Sunset Terraces offer elevated, panoramic settings ideal for private dinners, cocktail hours, and quiet reflection — each with a unique vantage point over the surrounding landscape.
WELLNESS AMONG THE WHISPERS OF THE HILLS At the Fairmont Spa & Salon and Fairmont Fit Gym, wellness is not a pause from life — it is a return to the natural rhythm of life. Spanning 12,000 sq. ft., this sanctuary draws inspiration from the sun’s journey — rising, illuminating, restoring — and invites guests to begin their own cycle of renewal. Treatments here are crafted to enliven the skin, restore tired muscles, and soothe the spirit, blending time-honored traditions with cutting-edge therapies.
Signature massage rituals — rooted in energy meridians, aromatherapy, and natural movement — are designed not only for recovery, but revelation integrating the use of bespoke oils under the brand.
For recreation beyond the palace, guests can explore Rendezvous — a vibrant activity zone designed to delight guests of all ages featuring mini golf, pickleball, paddle ball, ziplining, and a dedicated kids’ play area. For those arriving in style, the palace also offers a private helipad, ensuring seamless access and a spectacular arrival that sets the tone for an unforgettable stay.
“At Fairmont Udaipur Palace, our vision was to create more than a hotel — a living palace that stirs emotion, celebrates culture and offers experiences that linger in memory. Every element has been crafted with intention and care. As we open our doors, our focus is on shaping a destination where luxury is not just seen or felt, but deeply remembered,”— Vishrut Gupta, General Manager, Fairmont Udaipur Palace.
From its elemental design rooted in nature to its thoughtfully curated rituals of stay, celebration, cuisine, and wellness, every facet of the palace is crafted to inspire wonder, foster connection, and offer repose. As Fairmont deepens its legacy in India, this majestic address stands as a tribute to the enduring soul of Rajasthan — a destination where each sunrise holds promise, every gathering becomes a cherished memory, and every guest is received like royalty. With Fairmont Udaipur Palace, a new landmark is born — an invitation to the world to pause, breathe, and truly belong.
Bookings can be made at https://www.fairmont.com/udaipur.
About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is renowned for the international luxury hospitality brand’s unrivalled portfolio of more than 95 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. From grand hotels to urban retreats, since 1907 Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – renowned addresses such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Fairmont Doha and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Fairmont hotels are the social epicenters of their cities— iconic gathering places where people, culture, and ideas converge. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,600 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL Accor, a booking platform and loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
fairmont.com | all.accor.com About the Rockwood Group Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Mumbai, Rockwood Hotels & Resorts Ltd. is helmed by Chairman & Managing Director Somesh Agarwal, alongside Director Swati Agarwal, who brings a refined design sensibility and deep understanding of hospitality trends to the group’s vision. Together, they are dedicated to creating landmark destinations that celebrate Indian tradition and cultural richness.
With over three decades of experience in developing destination wedding resorts and experiential retreats—such as the Radisson Blu Udaipur, then the city’s largest hotel— Rockwood has earned a reputation for orchestrating grand-scale celebrations and immersive guest experiences. Their signature lies in thoughtfully combining local craftsmanship, architectural authenticity, and heartfelt hospitality to redefine luxury across India’s most distinctive regions.
To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: Fairmont Udaipur Palace – Lobby (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Data Journalist, BBC Verify
Political correspondent
The government spent nearly a third less on hotels to house asylum seekers between April 2024 and March 2025, according to newly published figures.
The Home Office’s annual accounts show £2.1bn was spent on hotel accommodation – an average of about £5.77m per day, down from £3bn or £8.3m per day, the previous year.
Data obtained by BBC Verify shows the saving has been driven by a reduction in the average nightly cost per person housed, after a government move to use cheaper forms of accommodation and room sharing.
But Dr Peter Walsh, from the Migration Observatory think tank at Oxford University, warned that the surge in small boat crossings seen since March could lead to a renewed reliance on hotels.
“I don’t think hotels are going away anytime soon based on current trends,” he said.
Hotel accommodation is used when there is no other housing available for asylum seekers, and the government has committed to stop using asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament.
There were 32,345 people in asylum hotels at the end of March 2025, up from 29,585 people at the end of June last year, but lower than the total in December.
A senior Home Office source said one of the main factors behind the saving was moving some asylum seekers from hotels into other types of cheaper accommodation.
They said the department had prioritised moving families and children into regular housing so they were not living in hotels for long periods of time.
BBC News understands the majority of people moved out of hotels are now living in local housing, or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), a type of rented accommodation where at least three individuals share the use of a bathroom and kitchen.
Most of these properties have been acquired through the government’s contracts with Serco, one of the three companies responsible for asylum accommodation.
Some savings have also been made by renegotiating elements of those contracts, which were originally signed by the previous Conservative government.
Officials have previously told MPs that greater room-sharing in hotels has helped reduce the number of sites and per head costs over the past financial year.
It is not clear how many people usually share a room, but Home Office minister Angela Eagle has previously said “people can double up or treble up” if rooms are big enough.
The Home Office accounts suggest 273 hotels were in use in March 2024 but that number has now fallen by 71.
The average nightly cost per person fell from £162.16 in March 2023 to £118.87 by March 2025, according to BBC Verify’s analysis of official data obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
The Home Office’s accounts also show that almost £50m of public money was effectively written off after the Labour government scrapped a Conservative plan to use the RAF Scampton site in Lincolnshire to house asylum seekers.
Tens of millions had already been spent on the site when Labour came to power and axed the plans.
The Home office annual report says that decision resulted in a “constructive loss of £48.5m”, but a department source said the site would have been an even more expensive option than hotels, even taking into account the loss incurred.
The report also confirmed that £270m paid to Rwanda to help support the country’s economic development was not refunded after the UK government scrapped the Rwanda scheme.
Conservative ministers had planned to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats.
However, the scheme was stalled by legal challenges and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it led to just four people being removed to the country voluntarily.
The Rwandan government said last year that it was “under no obligation” to pay back the £270m after Labour scrapped the deal.
Hotels & Accommodations
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Partners to Open Ramada Plaza in Ayodhya by 2028, ETHospitalityWorld
M/s Anuprit Solutions Private Limited, a prominent hospitality company in Ayodhya, announced a strategic partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to develop a new upscale hotel, the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Ayodhya Masodha.
This greenfield development will feature 120 guest rooms and offer a comprehensive range of amenities including an all-day dining restaurant, expansive banquet and meeting spaces, a spa, swimming pool, and other premium facilities. Currently in the advanced planning stage, the hotel is expected to open in 2028, said a release issued by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Aqeel Ahmed, director, M/s Anuprit Solutions Pvt. Ltd., said, “It is a privilege to bring the globally respected Ramada Plaza brand to Ayodhya in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. With Ayodhya evolving into a major religious and cultural destination, we aim to provide world-class accommodation and service that reflects both the city’s deep heritage and its modern growth story.”
Rahool Macarius, market managing director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, added, “With Ayodhya emerging as a sought-after pilgrimage and cultural hub, this new signing represents our continued investment in high-potential markets. This marks our second hotel signing in the city – a reflection of our belief in Ayodhya’s growth trajectory and our intent to deliver exceptional stays where tradition and hospitality meet.”
This project further strengthens Wyndham’s commitment to expanding in India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities, especially in fast-evolving religious and leisure markets.
There was an outpouring of grief in Haiti when the Hotel Oloffson, a cultural and architectural landmark in Port-au-Prince, was set ablaze on the night of 5 July, in what local media described as retaliation by armed gangs after a police operation in its vicinity.
For many, its ruins are a stark and sobering symbol of the state of a capital city on the verge of collapse, and a sign that a once vibrant culture may be fading as violent criminal armed groups continue their reign of terror.
The 19th-century mansion, built in 1887 in the ornate “gingerbread” style, once welcomed celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger and Graham Greene. A magnet for the world’s rich and famous in the 1960s and 70s, it was reborn in the 80s as a hub for vodou musicians and a refuge for foreign correspondents.
Watching the white wooden fretwork – often likened to lace – that once adorned the balconies reduced to ashes, has been tough for former patrons, who were once enchanted by its dreamlike, otherworldly charm.
“It was an extraordinary place, beyond time and space,” said Haitian historian and legal scholar Georges Michel, who would stop by, in the evenings on his way home. “After two or three beers, I’d sometimes have dinner. I’d meet people. It was Haitian. It was home.”
Some have already started dreaming of rebuilding the Oloffson, when the embattled city returns to some level of normality. But they are unable to make solid plans to do so as the Caribbean nation teeters dangerously toward a “point of no return” – a warning that UN officials have expressed as the body count continues to climb into the thousands.
The anti-government groups have been terrorising Port-au-Prince for the past four years, setting homes ablaze one neighbourhood after another and tightening their grip on the capital, cutting it off from the rest of the country. On 1 June 2021, a gang seized control of a stretch of the only national road leading south out of the city, in the name of a coalition of criminal groups.
The next month Jovenel Moïse, the then president, was assassinated, triggering a political crisis that has prevented elected governance. Last year a transitional presidential council was established to prepare the country for elections after a fresh wave of attacks enabled gangs to take control of much of downtown Port-au-Prince.
According to UN figures in January more than a million people were displaced and more than 5,600 were killed by gangs in 2024.
Armed groups began occupying an area near the Oloffson in January, displacing residents and forcing staff to flee and the hotel to close. Universities on the same street have since shut down or relocated.
Residents say there was a police operation in the area on the day the hotel was destroyed, but the cause of the blaze remains unknown, with clashes making it dangerous for officials or journalists to investigate.
Haitian architect Daniel Elie said the torching of the hotel is “part of a succession of losses”, which has seen aspects of Haiti’s culture “going up in smoke”.
“The Oloffson was one of those rare spaces where two worlds tried to meet,” he said, adding that it was a part of the literary and artistic “Indigenist movement” in Haiti between 1915 and 1945, which sought to reclaim African heritage and elevate the voices, traditions and lived realities of Haiti’s rural population.
“All of that unfolded in venues such as the Oloffson. So beyond the architecture, its cultural legacy is even more significant,” he said.
The hotel was one of the finest examples of gingerbread architecture – a popular style in Port-au-Prince in the latter half of the 19th century. The grand wooden houses, a blend of neoclassical and neo-gothic elements, were inspired by architectural trends in Europe at that time.
“A European bourgeoisie, strengthened by the Industrial Revolution, appropriated ancient styles and reinvented them” said Elie, a leading expert in heritage conservation. “Haitian families were sending their children to Europe to study in universities and architecture schools, and they brought back all these ideas.”
Some houses were even imported piece by piece from Europe. The hotel was designed by a French architect known only as Mr Lefèvre and assembled in Haiti by a French builder.
Unlike many modern buildings, gingerbread houses like the Oloffson survived the 2010 earthquake, thanks to their flexible wooden frames. But many were lost to rapid urbanisation.
Today, just a few dozen exist, local experts said – but scarcely any carry the historical weight of the Oloffson. Over the years it hosted Haitian presidents from Vilbrun Guillaume Sam in 1915 to René Préval in the 2000s, as well as musicians, film stars and renowned authors. Greene even set his 1966 novel, The Comedians, at the hotel and later co-wrote the screenplay for its 1967 film adaptation starring Taylor and Richard Burton.
As portrayed in Green’s novel, Oloffson was also a hotspot for foreign elites in search of exotic adventures during the 1960s and the 1970s.
“It was a kind of jet-set moment when Vogue would send photographers to shoot models in the lush gardens with glistening, shirtless paddlers in the background,” recalled French photographer and documentarian Chantal Regnault, who said she was struck by the colonial overtones when she first stayed there in 1979.
“You used to see a photo of the Oloffson on the cover of the city’s tourism brochures,” recalled Théodore “Lòlò” Beaubrun Jr of legendary Haitian band Boukman Eksperyans. As a child in the late 1960s, he would accompany his father, a renowned Haitian theatre artist, through the hotel’s vast white-painted gallery, mingling with local artists. “I learned so much, it was a school,” he said.
“When we started, it was all about catering to journalists,” said Richard Morse, who took over management of the Oloffson in 1987 with the help of his girlfriend. He later bought the property with his family. Speaking to the Guardian from Maine, he described the guilt and sense of helplessness as the hotel destruction came amid the rising tide of violence, murder and rape.
Born in Puerto Rico to a Haitian mother and an American father, Morse had been a new wave rock musician in the US before moving to Haiti in search of traditional drum rhythms. In 1988, he launched Thursday night vodou music concerts at the hotel. This would later be a key moment in the rise of his vodou-rock band RAM, and a new era of cultural crossover for the venue, which he described as a fantastic “Alice in Wonderland” experience.
“The gangs were the last clients – and they didn’t pay,” he said. “I need to go there and decide what to do. People keep telling me I can’t go, but what I really want is just to stand in the yard. That’s my home.”
Haiti’s stability was a significant concern for Caribbean leaders when they met earlier this month at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders summit.
Opening the meeting, the outgoing chair of Caricom and the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, appealed for more global support for Haiti.
“The world really needs a check on itself when it comes to Haiti. If ever we doubted that there were first class and second class citizens in the eyes of the world, don’t doubt it any more,” the Mottley said.
She added that, in spite of the staggering loss of life, and the displacement of people and food insecurity, “the world … has been unable to move beyond the promises and the platitudes that would bring help to the people of Haiti”.
Mottley said the Caribbean’s capacity to address the escalating situation is limited, and called for a “truth talk, both within the context of what is possible from Haiti’s perspective, but equally what is possible from the international community”.
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