
Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram
Luxury by the AravallisIndia’s largest hospitality company The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) unveils the re-imagined Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram. Nestled amidst acres of lush greenery and surrounded by majestic Aravalli hills, resort offers a sanctuary away from bustle of urban life.
“The re-imagined Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa is a celebration of timeless hospitality,” says Mandeep Surie, General Manager, Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, “Rooted in the spirit of Tajness, every experience here is thoughtfully curated to offer luxurious stays, wellness journeys and authentic dining experiences. We look forward to welcome guests to this tranquil haven with the warmth of Tajness.”
The resort offers 143 rooms, suites and luxurious villas, including Grand Luxury villas with plunge pools. Shamiana – the all-day dining restaurant serves a curated selection of global cuisines in a contemporary setting with verdant views and alfresco dining, Zvatra - a North Indian fine-dine specialty restaurant offering authentic flavours from Haryana, Rajasthan, Old Delhi, and Punjab, and VIXX serves inventive cocktails making it a perfect place to unwind and socialize. J Wellness Circle offers holistic wellness therapies including the Turkish Hammam experience and expansive outdoor pool amidst nature.
The selection of venues at the resort is perfect for weddings, conferences and social gatherings. The resort’s adventure park offers a range of activities like Pickle Ball, Go-Karting Off-Roading, Cricket Balling among others. Guests can also enjoy immersive experiences within the property, including a dinner in a charming village, a picnic on the lawns amid panoramic Aravalli views, culinary masterclasses, morning yoga sessions, farm and temple tours, and more.
Le Méridien Ahmedabad Façade
An Ode to the Sabarmati
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, has announced the opening of Le Méridien Ahmedabad. The hotel opens doors following the transformation of Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad and represents a significant milestone in the city’s hospitality narrative.
Set in the heart of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, where centuries-old façades and bustling bazaars coexist with riverfront promenades and modern architecture, the hotel, with its mid-century modern design, invites guests to experience Ahmedabad anew—through moments that are luxurious and refined.
“We are excited to introduce the Le Méridien brand to Ahmedabad, bringing the brand’s essence of savouring the good life to global tastemakers and locals” said Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International. “Ahmedabad is a destination known for its rich history and thriving art, culture, and culinary scene, which makes it the perfect fit for Le Méridien. This hotel is a celebration of detail and design – inviting travellers to explore Ahmedabad with curiosity, in style.”
Le Méridien Ahmedabad Hotel Lobby
The property features 164 guest rooms and suites, each designed with a calm palette, mid-century silhouettes, and bespoke accents that nod to Ahmedabad’s textile legacy and architectural landmarks. Poised as the visual anchor, the bespoke lobby art is an ode to the rich heritage of Ahmedabad representing a confluence of movement, culture, and life - inviting guests to explore Ahmedabad’s layered legacy at a single glance.
Celebrating the city’s identity as the once textile capital of India, the design elements of Le Méridien Ahmedabad pay homage to the local craft and its ties to the Sabarmati River. In a poetic gesture, slender panes of transparent and azure-hued glass are suspended in graceful alignment, each angled uniquely to suggest the movement of fabric flowing freely in the river breeze. Together, the design elements throughout the hotel represent a multisensory journey of the city’s cultural and progressive spirit.
Le Méridien Ahmedabad will offer an interesting and decadent mix of dining options. The Market serves global cuisine with local influence in a lively all-day setting. Java+, the artisanal coffeehouse, offers Illy Coffee while Drift transitions from a tranquil poolside retreat to sophisticated evening dining, and Bayleaf presents refined Awadhi cuisine. For moments of play, Le Scoop, the brand’s signature programme, delivers sweet frozen treats that savour the flavour of sweet summers.
The hotel boasts an expansive 20,000 square feet of versatile event spaces, including a grand pillarless ballroom and elegant outdoor lawns. Thoughtfully designed for seamless transitions and exceptional service, these venues cater to a variety of events, from conferences and boardroom meetings to social gatherings and weddings.
For moments of relaxation, Explore Spa offers treatments drawn from traditional therapies, complemented by a newly outfitted fitness centre and serene outdoor pool.
Chef Dave (Photo Credit Pol Divina)
A Culinary Icon in stunning Bali
Hilton has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its luxury resort portfolio globally with the announcement of Waldorf Astoria Waldorf Astoria Bali, following recent landmark signings in Turks and Caicos and openings in Costa Rica, and the Seychelles.
The newly signed Waldorf Astoria Bali joins a pipeline of 34 iconic properties and culinary partnerships as the brand continues to elevate its presence across the region’s most coveted travel destinations. “Today’s luxury traveller is seeking more than just a beautiful stay – they’re seeking meaningful, immersive experiences rooted in culture and authenticity,” says Candice D’Cruz, vice president, Hilton Luxury Brands, Asia Pacific. “That is why resorts are becoming modern sanctuaries, with destinations like Bali continuing to be highly sought-after. With Waldorf Astoria Bali, we’re meeting this desire by blending the brand’s timeless elegance with the opportunity to connect more deeply with one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.”
Featuring 71 expansive villas and 68 sophisticated guest suites, Waldorf Astoria Bali will blend grandeur with effortless luxury – anchoring Waldorf Astoria’s vision for modern luxury that is rooted in a sense of place, yet globally resonant. Set to open in late 2027 in the prestigious enclave of Nusa Dua, Waldorf Astoria Bali will offer an elegant oceanside retreat that unites world-class design, anticipatory service, and unforgettable experiences. From bespoke wellness journeys and immersive cultural experiences to destination dining and a chic beach club, the resort reflects the brand’s evolution for the next generation of luxury travellers.
Culinary Mastery at the Heart of the Brand Waldorf Astoria has established itself as a home for celebrated culinary talents – from Chef Michael Anthony at Lex Yard and mixology authority Jeff Bell at Peacock Alley in New York, to upcoming collaborations with Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch. With a culinary legacy spanning more than a century, the brand’s commitment to gastronomic excellence is further underscored by its Michelin-starred restaurants in Shanghai, Beijing, and Xiamen – each led by chefs who bring place, heritage, and innovation to the plate.
Waldorf Astoria Bali will continue this legacy with its partnership with award-winning Chef Dave Pynt, who will helm the resort’s specialty restaurant, The Ledge by Dave Pynt – a sophisticated yet relaxed modern barbecue concept already beloved at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Known for his mastery of open-fire cooking and custom-designed grills, Pynt’s Bali outpost promises to elevate the culinary scene with a signature touch of bold finesse. “Bali’s reputation as a global hub for discerning travelers makes it a natural home for Waldorf Astoria’s next culinary landmark,” says Marvin Alballi, vice president, Food & Beverage, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “Across Hilton’s portfolio in Asia Pacific, we are proud to work with some of the world’s most celebrated culinary talents. In Bali, chef Dave Pynt will bring a new level of culinary sophistication and fire-driven flair to our guests.”
“We’re really excited to bring our style of barbecue to the incredible cliffs of Nusa Dua. There’s so much to explore in the local produce and flavours, and when you add the magic of cooking over wood fire, it becomes something truly special. At Waldorf Astoria Bali, we’re creating an experience that captures the spirit of island life – through fire, flavour, craft, and connection – so guests take home memories that are unforgettable,” says Chef Dave Pynt.
A Vision of Bespoke Luxury Across the Region. The signing of Waldorf Astoria Bali comes as Hilton recently surpassed 1,000 luxury and lifestyle hotels globally with another 500 in the development pipeline.

Lifestyle Insider is a kind of junction point, connecting people with diverse interests that touch on the more luxurious aspects of lifestyle – fashion, design, travel, food and spirits, art, watches and jewellery, cars, yachts, and aviation, and technology. People today don’t fit into boxes and categories. In our individual ways, we are interested in diverse themes, products, and the challenges that face our world today. You will judge how well this effort of mine caters to your passions and proclivities.
Lifestyle Insider is a showcase of all that is beautiful and luxe. Behind every creation, is a designer, chef, entrepreneur, or a design maison. I have delved into my own appreciation for objetsde luxe that I have admired over the years – be it a love of fashion from the world’s top Parisian and Italian fashion maisons and their ’90s muses, or the care that goes into sari and Indian textile collections in my own family. Growing up on four continents, as the daughter of a former Indian Ambassador, I’ve seen a remarkable array of historic places and met a myriad people. My aim is to bring my world view into this website, a curation of what I find particularly stunning, unique, and newsworthy.
It’s an exciting time for brands all over the world. With change comes opportunity. With the global ‘reset’ and uncertainty on many fronts, there is a chance to write a new script. Let’s be those pioneers.
A bit about me:
A luxury and fashion journalist with 25 years of experience in publishing and magazine journalism, I have edited some of India’s top fashion and luxury magazines. I got my BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and went on to receive my Master’s in English and French from the University of Strasbourg, France. I have also studied German and Film. I live in Gurugram, India, and look forward to once again exploring our world with a new-found freedom.
Mail us @ lifestyleinsiderindia@gmail.com