Neha Mehrotra
02-May-2025
Curious about what’s new in the world of luxury this week? Scroll down to discover the freshest launches and experiences worth knowing
1. Minor Hotels to debut first Avani Resort in India
Minor Hotels has announced the arrival of the Avani Hotels & Resorts brand in India with Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort, set along the scenic Sunray Beach in Visakhapatnam, India. The project will feature 117 hotel rooms and 58 branded residential villas, alongside a suite with premium amenities. Slated for completion by 2028, the resort will include an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a stylish bar, as well as a versatile banqueting hall. Additional facilities will include an AvaniSpa, an expansive swimming pool, a beach bar and an AvaniFit gym. A key feature of the leisure offering will be the nine-hole par-three golf course.
2. The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) , Presents Shrijan
The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), under the visionary leadership of Sunil Sethi, presents Shrijan – The Birth of a Craft, an evocative new exhibition now showing at the Innovation Gallery, National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy. Curated in collaboration with Craftroots, an Ahmedabad-based artisans’ collective founded by Smt. Anar Ben, the exhibition is a tribute to India’s rich craft traditions. Shrijan uses striking installations to explore the journey of creation—mirroring human evolution from inception to expression—through the lens of textile, fashion, and folk artistry. Themes of growth, memory, and transformation come alive in works like Womb & Woes and Mashru Metamorphosis. The initiative is supported by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
3. Chef Kunal Kapur Returns to His Roots in Mohali with Pincode
Chef Kunal Kapur’s Pincode in Mohali pays tribute to Punjab’s culinary diversity, offering a modern spin on beloved classics. Celebrating the “Swad galiyaan” of India, the menu journeys from iconic dishes like butter chicken and Dilli ki nihar to street-style favourites like Palak Salli Chaat and Beetroot Kanji Salad. Signature cocktails such as Nubra and Purandar Mango complement this rich spread. The design by Saaz Designs Studio reflects traditional Indian artistry with hand-painted murals inspired by Chowk Purana and old Punjabi courtyards. You can also find vintage radios, antique candle holders, and brass accents that bring nostalgic charm and create an immersive dining experience.
4. Tommy Hilfiger Brings Global Glamour to Mumbai
Iconic designer Tommy Hilfiger recently touched down in Mumbai for a day of fashion, culture, and creativity. Kicking off with a lively in-store talk at the TOMMY HILFIGER store in Jio World Drive, Hilfiger joined a panel with Sarah-Jane Dias and Manushi Chhillar to explore cross-cultural style and influence. The celebrations continued with an exclusive dinner at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, overlooking the Gateway of India, where Bollywood stars like Karan Johar, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, and others gathered.
5. Jamaica Tourist Board Hosts Networking Evening in Mumbai
The Jamaica Tourist Board held an exclusive networking evening on April 26, 2025, at JW Marriott Juhu, Mumbai, bringing together travel trade professionals, media, and influencers. The event showcased Jamaica’s vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and adventure offerings. Ms Afiya Henry Edwards, Senior Business Development Officer, joined virtually to present the island’s attractions and announced an online training programme for travel agents. Guests enjoyed immersive sessions and a taste of Jamaican hospitality, strengthening the island’s presence in the Indian travel market.
6. The Warden’s House, Galge – A Luxe Safari Retreat in Sri Lanka
From the creators of Galle Fort Hotel and Thotalagala comes The Warden’s House, a new luxury safari lodge set in the wild beauty of Galge, bordering Yala National Park’s Block 5. This boutique retreat features four suites named after a Sri Lankan national park and blends understated elegance with immersive wilderness experiences. Guests can enjoy riverfront dining, game drives, birdwatching, and cultural visits to Kataragama and Buduruwagala. With space for only 10 guests, the lodge offers privacy, sustainability, and a sense of connection to nature.
7. Parallel Unveils Flagship Experience Centre in New Delhi
Parallel Doors and Windows has launched its 4,500 sq. ft. flagship experience centre in New Delhi, redefining doors and windows as sculptural design elements. The space includes a 2,000 sq. ft. exterior showcasing casement and sliding systems and a 2,500 sq. ft. interior with zones for internal partitions, shower enclosures, and modular kitchens and wardrobes. Curated by co-founder Sanjay Gupta, the centre offers an immersive experience for architects, designers, and homeowners.
8. LOYA at Taj Palace, New Delhi unveils a new cocktail program
Loya at Taj Palace, New Delhi, unveils VRIKSH, a visionary new cocktail menu inspired by the journey from root to fruit. Rooted in Loya’s signature Paanch cocktail philosophy, VRIKSH is curated by acclaimed mixologist Hemant Pathak of Junoon New York. The cocktails are inventive and crafted with indigenous botanicals like truffle, mogra, saffron, bay leaf, jamun, and paan. Divided into categories like root, flower, seed, leaf, and fruit, the menu is a bold yet soulful ode to nature’s rhythm and liquid artistry.
9. Elevate Your Bathroom with GROHE Cubeo
GROHE has launched its sleek new Cubeo Collection in India—first revealed at ISH 2025 in Frankfurt. Available in Chrome and Matte Black finishes, the range blends soft-square aesthetics with smart technology like SilkMove® cartridges and EcoJoy® water-saving features. With versatile sizes, including XL options, Cubeo fits effortlessly into both modern and classic interiors. Designed for lasting performance and visual impact, Cubeo is now available across GROHE outlets and partner retailers nationwide.
10. Air Astana celebrates 20 years of connecting Kazakhstan and India
Marking 20 years of connecting India and Kazakhstan, Air Astana has launched a new thrice-weekly service from Almaty to Mumbai. Celebrating the milestone in Mumbai, CEO Peter Foster highlighted India’s dynamic economy and Mumbai’s role as a hub of trade and enterprise. The airline, which entered the Indian market in 2004, also operates nine weekly flights to Delhi, with additional frequencies during peak seasons. The new route enhances connectivity for both business and leisure travellers.
11. Eternal Oasis Opens in Gurugram: A New Cultural and Spiritual Landmark
Eternal Oasis, a one-of-a-kind centre for emotional, cultural, and spiritual enrichment, has opened its doors on Golf Course Road, Gurugram. Spanning over 100,000 sq. ft., this visionary space was founded by Umesh Mathur of the Foundation For Learning Technologies to address the growing need for structured life skills and inner well-being education. The centre features multipurpose halls, an art gallery, guest rooms, and flexible event spaces for hosting mindfulness workshops, emotional intelligence sessions, art therapy, motivational talks, and cultural performances. Eternal Oasis also invites collaborations for events across meditation, music, dance, wellness, and spiritual growth.
12. Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi Launches Karigari in Connaught Place
Celebrity chef Harpal Singh Sokhi has launched the 11th Karigari outlet, in the heart of Delhi at Connaught Place. In celebration of the new outlet, Karigari has unveiled an exciting menu featuring innovative dishes such as Flying Burgers (sealed burgers), Bun Kulfi, and the classic Kulfi Faluda. Karigari, the brainchild of founder and CEO Yogesh Sharma, alongside co-founder and CEO Manish Sharma, is today a leading culinary spot in India’s dining scene.
13. Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival at Yi Jing, ITC Maratha
This May, Yi Jing at ITC Maratha invites you to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival with a thoughtfully curated à la carte menu. Known for its deep-rooted traditions and symbolic flavours, the festival is brought to life through a special dining experience. You can indulge in handcrafted Zongzi, traditional glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. The menu also includes Red Bean Zongzi, a subtly sweet delicacy and the BBQ Chicken Zongzi. The dessert menu serves two exquisite desserts – the mango sticky rice and the mango tres leches, which are a perfect treat for the summer season.
14. Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi’s ‘Metamorphosis’ at Bikaner House
Curated by Sanya Malik, Metamorphosis by Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi opens on May 3 at Bikaner House, New Delhi. Spanning two decades of the artist’s work, the exhibition explores transformation, identity, and the fragility of human existence through surreal drawings, intricate brushwork, and sculptural forms. Set across both floors of the CCA Building, the show runs till May 9, with a satellite edition continuing at Black Cube Gallery till May 30. Expect a powerful visual dialogue between beauty and brutality, nature and artifice.
15. Culture Circle Sets New Standard with Dual Authentication in Luxury Resale
Culture Circle has teamed up with global authentication leader CheckCheck to become India’s first luxury marketplace offering dual certification for authenticity. Each product is now verified using a powerful combination of AI technology and expert inspection, ensuring unparalleled trust and transparency in the resale fashion market. With an official authenticity certificate provided for every item, this initiative marks a significant move towards setting a new benchmark in India’s growing pre-owned luxury space.
Cover Credits: Parallel
By Kratika Agarwal
