Today, several festivals are celebrated in hotels and restaurants through feasts and dining experiences. Hotels create thematic menus and concepts to stay competitive, attract attention, and ensure good footfall at their venues. We speak to industry experts to spill the beans on what is in store for the festive season of 2024.
Package Deal
Hotels and resorts are venues where every festival is celebrated and guests often take advantage of holidays and long weekends to enjoy a break at hotels, seeking rejuvenation and a change in routine. They tend to choose well-appointed resorts or destinations offering engaging activities. Hotels and resorts, in turn, prepare thoroughly to meet these demands.
Kumud Singh, General Manager, Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, says, “Each festival has its own special food and beverage traditions, which provide hotels with an opportunity to showcase their offerings professionally. As the monsoon season ends, we are presenting a modern take on chaat, followed by unique and innovative dishes for Navratri, special promotions for Karwa Chauth, fine dining experiences for Christmas, and a gala evening for the New Year celebrations.”
Stay in Style
Hotels are working on developing exclusive weekday and weekend stay packages, which include food and beverage options across multiple dining venues within the property for the upcoming festive season.
Bhavik Sheth, COO, Evoke Experiences, says, “Our properties including Gandhisagar Forest Retreat and Statue of Unity Tent City 1 have begun preparations to create an authentic and festive atmosphere. The venues will be beautifully decorated with traditional elements, setting the stage for vibrant celebrations. Guests can enjoy live music and dance performances that will enhance the festive atmosphere. During Diwali, prayer ceremonies will be organized offering guests an opportunity to deeply engage in spiritual rituals.”
The upcoming festive period and winter season traditionally mark a good period for Indians to travel. Shikhar Kumar, MD, Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts, adds, “Starting October, we are introducing special festive season packages, along with a variety of activities to enhance the celebratory spirit for Diwali, Christmas, and New Year. Additionally, we are excited to announce the launch of our new F&B brand, Spice Wood, across our properties nationwide during the festive period. Spice Wood is a vibrant, youthful concept designed to cater to the fast-paced crowd. It’s not a fine dining restaurant, but rather a value-for-money, quick-service food concept that offers pocket-friendly options to suit guests of all ages.”
Culture Calling
The festive season marks the beginning of an exciting time as the celebration goes beyond driving sales as it is also about honouring and embracing Indian culture.
Sarbendra Sarkar, Managing Director & Founder, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd, says, “We are launching comprehensive packages that include both accommodation and a grand gala dinner, with add-ons such as festive hampers, personalized gifts and exclusive dining or spa experiences for our patrons. In terms of F&B, we are placing a strong emphasis on local culinary traditions, offering regional specialties and authentic dishes. At the same time, we are introducing modern elements with fusion food festivals that blend global flavours. Some of our properties will also feature live cooking stations and festive buffets, enhancing the overall celebratory atmosphere.”
Festive Musings
The festive season is synonymous with celebration, warmth, and the joy of togetherness and to ensure an impeccable experience, hotels prepare for this in advance.
Nikita Ramchandani, Multi-property Vice President – Mumbai Market | General Manager, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, says, “We are excited to offer a long weekend room offer, perfect for guests seeking a luxurious escape to reconnect and rejuvenate at our multi-generational urban resort. This offer includes indulgent stays paired with exclusive experiences designed to elevate the festive spirit. As for add-ons, our curated F&B experiences will immerse guests in the joy of the season. Highlights include a beautifully curated selection of Diwali hampers, exclusive festive dinners, and a special Navratri fasting menu, ensuring guests enjoy traditional favourites with a touch of JW luxury.” To mark JW Marriott’s 40th anniversary, the team will be hosting the JW Garden Party, a celebration that will honour their commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients and creating sustainable, farm-to-table dining experiences.
Special Offers
Hotels have transformed into the epicentre of festivals, a shift from the charm that malls and markets held a decade ago. Kazim Mehdi, Director of Food and Beverage, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE, says, “Festive season calls for a busy month. As per past trends, there’s always an increase in the number of check-ins and footfalls in restaurants and bars. To make sure every guest feels the festive spirit and warmth, there is an extra inclination to offer our unscripted Four Seasons service. There’s a celebratory mood in the hotel through the décor and festive offerings, and every guest interaction imbibes a sense of belonging, making sure they leave with joyful memories and the Four Seasons warmth.”
Local Love
City-specific celebrations are also coming to the forefront. Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, for instance, is gearing up for its much-anticipated Durgabari 4.0 celebration, promising an immersive cultural journey that captures the vibrant essence of the ‘Bangalir Tero Parbon’ theme this time around. “The hotel has designed exclusive staycation packages that not only offer elegant accommodations but also an authentic Durga Puja festival experience. Our patrons can savour daily servings of holy bhog, participate in traditional Puja rituals (Anjali, Sandhya Puja and Sindoor Khela), and indulge in a variety of festive culinary delights at our distinct outlets,” says Arjun Kaggallu, General Manager, Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences.
Likewise, Mercure Hyderabad KCP is set to celebrate the upcoming Bathukamma, a popular festival in Telangana that coincides with Dussehra. “As part of the festivities, we will place a beautifully decorated Bathukamma in the lobby along with a small write-up to help guests from other cities understand its significance. Our all-day dining restaurant, Cayenne, will also feature a special buffet showcasing traditional Telangana cuisine,” says Shreedhar Punna, Executive Chef, Culinary, Mercure Hyderabad KCP.
Food Files
As food is inextricably connected to festivals, hotels are not just working on food festivals but also special spreads for these days. Akash Garg, CMD, Asia Resorts Limited – Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort, says, “Our culinary team is crafting special holiday menus with chefs preparing traditional Himachali dishes and seasonal treats to delight our visitors. Additionally, we will offer add-ons such as trekking excursions and immersive local cultural experiences. Our food festivals will highlight live cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions, allowing guests to sample regional specialities. These festivals will provide a rich cultural journey alongside a variety of dishes from Awadhi, Punjabi, Himachali and international cuisines. We will also offer tours of our herbal garden as well as interactive cooking classes with our chefs. To enhance the festive spirit, our bartenders are creating organic cocktails made with local herbs and spices, offering fresh and unique flavours while promoting sustainable practices.”
Sheena Tandon, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Lodhi, adds, “This season, we are focusing on bar takeovers and a South Indian food festival, which will seamlessly blend with our all-day dining menu. Additionally, we are excited to host a Thai food festival featuring expat chefs flying in from abroad. These events will complement a range of other festivities planned at the hotel.”
Going Traditional
There has also been a noticeable shift in current culinary trends toward traditional and regional cuisines. BHOJ – The Bihari Food Festival at Ramada by Wyndham Gurgaon Central is a festival designed to showcase the rich and diverse flavours of Bihar, bringing authentic local dishes to a luxurious dining experience. “Recognizing the significance of staying true to the roots of Bihari cuisine, we are collaborating with talented home chefs to ensure the dishes reflect the true essence of Bihar’s culinary heritage. This initiative not only promotes local talent but also provides an opportunity for guests to experience the authentic flavours of the region in an upscale and refined setting,” says Gaurav Mehta, General Manager, Ramada by Wyndham Gurgaon City.
Be Well
To ensure that the festivities have a health focus, wellness packages featuring spa treatments and relaxation sessions are being promoted to help guests unwind during the busy season. Subin Venugopal, Food & Beverage Manager, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel and Convention Center, says, “To promote relaxation, hotels provide spa and wellness packages, offering discounted treatments, wellness services, and access to amenities like spa.”
Sweet Nothings
As no festival can be complete without sweets, hotels are pulling out all the stops to ensure they have special offerings in the space. “The perfect fit for the festive season is our range of gourmet sweets, Mithai by Roseate, which features a wide range of delicately flavoured, beautifully presented, and elegantly packaged Indian sweets made with the finest ingredients. Additionally, we’re planning food pop-ups across our dining spaces and workshops that blend festive fun with art at our café Roasted by Roseate,” says Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels and Resorts.
Pramod Singh Kanyal, Director Food & Beverage – Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), adds, “Whether it’s the nostalgia of traditional mithai for elders, the excitement of artisanal chocolates for children, or the refined appeal of gourmet sweets and baklawa for more mature tastes, each hamper is thoughtfully curated to bring joy to a wide audience while catering to a variety of budgets.”
Doing More
The festive season is also about new experiences. Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway brings to the city the much-awaited launch of Muse Pad, an exciting platform for up-and-coming artists to showcase their creative best. “This open mic event is set to become the favourite go-to spot for musicians, poets, storytellers, and stand-up comedians, creating a buzzing cultural hub on weekends. Additionally, the hotel introduces the V List Catch Up Soirée, a concept designed for business travellers, focusing on delivering a sophisticated experience where guests can unwind, network, or simply enjoy a quiet moment before dinner. Another exciting initiative, ViVa’s, aimed at building communities through the participation of women, is set to launch soon, adding yet another enriching layer to the hotel’s offerings,” says Ronald Menezes, Area Director, Sales & Marketing – Tamil Nadu, Taj Coromandel.
Amit Razdan, Chief Operating Officer, Saraca Hotels & Resorts – South Asia, adds, “We are packaging our rooms and suites with bespoke inclusions such as flexible check in/ out timings, pick-up and drop from guest residence in luxury cars, and curated high tea experiences while adding crafted experiences such as heritage and culinary walks, local artisan craft tours (chikankari and zardozi looms) along with day tours to Ayodhya for our guests.”
Happy Hampers
Gift hampers that combine tradition with premium indulgence, make them an ideal choice for both personal and corporate gifting. “This festive season, we have crafted a range of exclusive hampers, perfect for gifting to family and friends. Our hampers come in various categories, including The Diwali Delights Hamper, The Festive Reserve (featuring Chef’s Signature mithai box of 24 and Festive Jar Treats), Exclusive Selections (box of 16 assortments), and Festive Jar Treats with premium sweets and dry fruits (available in six variants). Additionally, the Nutmeg Signature Brownie Box (box of three variant brownies) caters to diverse tastes. Each hamper is thoughtfully curated to deliver the joy and warmth of the festival right to your home,” says Bhagwan Balani, General Manager, ITC Maratha.
Chef Yogender Adep, Culinary Director – South Asia, Marriott International, adds, “For Diwali with Marriott Bonvoy, we are offering three exquisite boxes of artisanal mithai which consists of six varieties of sweets and four types of flavoured dried fruits and nuts. These hampers are designed to capture the essence of traditional Indian festivities while adding a touch of luxury. For Christmas, we are creating an engaging experience by introducing DIY Christmas cake hampers. This brings families together as they can bond over the collective joy of baking a cake from scratch.”
Vocal for Local
Novotel Imagicaa has introduced a new range of eco-friendly gifting hampers that combine health, tradition, and local artistry in a thoughtful and elegant package. Their festive hampers offer an irresistible selection of millet-based snacks and artisanal products crafted by local communities. Each hamper is a tribute to the rich agricultural heritage of our country, featuring millet titbits that are as nutritious as they are delicious.
Prasanna Venkatesh, Director of Food and Beverage, Pullman, and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, says, “Our chefs craft traditional sweets that bring the essence of these festivities to life, ensuring they can be enjoyed by more people. Additionally, the hampers offer us an opportunity to promote healthy, sustainable goods while supporting local partners, thereby fostering the growth of local communities.”
Sachin Maheshwary, General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, adds, “Expect vibrant, festive decor that sets the mood like lights, lamps, diyas and florals and specially curated menus that artfully blend Indian and Goan flavours. To elevate the experience, our outlets will feature exclusive promotions, offering guests from all over India the chance to indulge in the festive warmth and cheer. Whether it’s through curated stay offers or celebratory dining experiences, we are committed to making every guest’s visit a memorable festive retreat.”
Diwali Love
As one of the most important festivals, Diwali is a big part of the festive calendar that celebrates triumph, togetherness, and opulence. “We wanted each hamper to reflect these values, offering a thoughtful selection of premium gourmet treats paired with elegant décor pieces. By including items that range from fine wines to artisanal sweets, we aimed to create a gifting experience that feels both luxurious and heart-warming. The balance of indulgence and tradition is key to our offering,” says Sidney Dcunha, Director of Food & Beverage and Culinary at Sofitel Mumbai BKC.
Noel Mendes, Food & Beverage Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, adds, “Diyas and Decadence Diwali Hampers by Four Seasons Mumbai bring a touch of thoughtful warmth to the celebrations. Named ‘The Essential’, ‘The Finishing Touch’, ‘The Statement’, ‘The Distinction’, ‘The Signature’, and ‘The Pinnacle’ by Four Seasons, these Diwali hampers are carefully curated to add a touch of elegance and offer an assortment of delightful surprises. All Diwali hampers have an illuminated version with elegant LED lights, making them chic and contemporary but traditional at the same time. These have been thoughtfully crafted to enhance the festivities with an exclusive selection of the finest gourmet treats, artisanal delicacies, and luxurious essentials.”
Gift Right
Hotel hampers are becoming increasingly popular due to their unique blend of elegance and personalization. Moving away from standard Diwali gifts, they offer a curated selection of premium, artisanal products that stand out for their quality and creativity. Rohit Arora, VP – North and Goa Operations and Head of Leisure Sales, THE Park New Delhi, says, “Rather than offering standard sweets and treats, we have carefully curated a selection of premium, artisanal products that combine surprising flavours and textures. Each offering is thoughtfully chosen to give a modern twist to traditional festive favourites, from gourmet chocolates to hand-crafted mithai and exclusive specialities. The packaging embodies elegance and festivity, ensuring that the hamper itself feels like a gift to be cherished long after the season.”
It is important to recognize that festive hampers serve as more than just gifts; they are tokens of care and connection. “These hampers have the power to create lasting memories, strengthen relationships, and spread happiness during festive times. Their popularity signifies a shift towards valuing tradition, quality, and the personal touch in gift-giving, enhancing the overall experience of sharing joy and creating lasting impressions on special occasions,” avers Shiva Ramakrishna, Executive Chef at Novotel Vijayawada Varun.
Custom Cues
Festive occasions and the tradition of gifting are all about thought, remembrance, and celebrating relations. This is why bespoke offerings are becoming popular. Rahul Tiwari, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, The Oberoi, Bengaluru, says, “More guests are leaning towards customization, attractive packaging that can be repurposed by the recipients, and organic and hand-made products which have more festive and occasion-based value than commercial-driven, off-the-shelf products.”
Bhaskar Jyoti Bhatta, F&B Manager, Novotel Guwahati, GS Road, adds, “Our hampers can be customised to suit your preferences, making each gift truly special and unique. We prioritize eco-friendly packaging and sustainable practices, ensuring that your Diwali celebrations are not just bright but also green and responsible.”
From immersive dining experiences to exclusive hampers, and curated stays to celebrating traditions, hoteliers are doing it all to add a spark to your festivities.
