Kochi Gets a New Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Infopark has opened in Kakkanad, right in the city’s Infopark IT corridor — making it a practical base if you’re visiting on business or want easy access to Fort Kochi and the Dutch Palace without paying five-star prices. The 218-room property has four dining options (including All Spice for regional Indian food and a rooftop infinity pool), over 8,000 sq ft of meeting space, and is about 45 minutes from Cochin International Airport. Rooms come with flexible workspaces and high-speed Wi-Fi. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points here.
Hotel Palacio opens in Guwahati’s Paltan Bazar
Hotel Palacio, a premium hospitality brand founded in Guwahati in 2015, has opened its second city property at Paltan Bazar — a well-placed address in the central commercial and transit hub. The new property has 83 rooms, over 6,000 sq ft of banquet space, and a 7,000 sq ft rooftop venue. Worth noting for food lovers: its signature restaurant Omara has been developed with Chef Vikey Ratnani, and the property is introducing what it claims is Guwahati’s first cocktail bar-cum-listening room. The brand also has a property in Alipurduar and a Hyatt Regency Gangtok in the pipeline — making it one to watch if the Northeast is on your travel map.
The world’s best airport lounges, according to Priority Pass
Priority Pass has named its 2026 Lounge of the Year winners, based on over 700,000 member reviews. The global top spot went to Escape Lounge at Portland International Airport, praised for its locally rooted design, regional food and drink, and a sense of place rather than generic airport comfort. In Asia Pacific, Lounge Fukuoka at Fukuoka International Airport took the regional crown — runway views, wood-toned interiors, and Tonkotsu Ramen on the menu. Tokyo Narita’s KoCoo Lounge was named APAC’s One to Watch for 2026. The broader trend the awards highlight is worth noting: the best lounges are increasingly designed to feel like an extension of the destination, not a waiting room.
Priority Pass members can access these and 1,600+ lounges globally. Check your card benefits — many premium travel and credit cards include membership.
Etihad’s new Business amenity kits are designed to be collected
Etihad Airways is rolling out a new Business cabin amenity kit line this summer called the Destination Collection — 14 designs inspired by cities across its network, with destination names and geographic coordinates embossed on the exterior and bespoke interior artwork for each city. The initial seven cities include Mumbai, Krabi, Lisbon, Addis Ababa, Atlanta, Calgary and Abu Dhabi. Since kits are distributed randomly, you’re unlikely to get the same design twice — which is rather the point. Inside, the kits feature skincare from LANEIGE, the Korean beauty brand, making Etihad the first airline to carry their products onboard. If you’re flying Etihad Business this summer, the Mumbai kit (#3) is the one to hope for.
Star Alliance opens a new lounge in Guangzhou — with an outdoor garden
Star Alliance has opened a new lounge in Terminal 3 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport — a 1,400 sq metre space with seating for 245 guests and, unusually, a 700 sq metre open-air garden. The lounge is open 24 hours and accessible to First and Business class passengers as well as Star Alliance Gold members on any member airline flight out of Terminal 3. Ten member airlines operate from here including Singapore Airlines, Air India, ANA and Turkish Airlines. The design draws on Guangzhou’s Lingnan culture, with a kapok flower installation at its centre and a dedicated tea experience guided by tea artists. If you’re connecting through Guangzhou, this is worth knowing about.
Etihad Guest sweetens the deal for loyal members
Etihad Guest has quietly upgraded its Promo seat benefits. Gold, Platinum and Emerald status members now get up to 10% off fixed mileage redemption fares across Etihad’s network. The benefit applies across the network including 12 newly announced destinations in Asia and Africa — Dhaka, Shanghai, Accra and Lagos.
Mountnoor Sarovar Premiere opens in Pahalgam
Sarovar Hotels has opened its sixth property in Jammu & Kashmir. Mountnoor Sarovar Premiere Pahalgam, set against the Himalayan range with views of pine forests, paddy fields and apple orchards. The 51-room property has two dining options worth noting. Noor, an alfresco all-day restaurant with open-deck seating serving Kashmiri and international cuisine. Tamanna, an intimate Kashmiri specialty lounge overlooking the mountains and orchards. Pahalgam is one of Kashmir’s most sought-after leisure addresses. This is a timely addition for anyone planning a summer mountain escape.
ON OUR RADAR
- Air India launches Delhi–Hanoi non-stop flights. 5 times weekly, making Hanoi its second Vietnam gateway after Ho Chi Minh City and eighth destination in Southeast Asia.
- Le Méridien debuts in Surat — set along the Tapi River, marking the brand’s first property in the Diamond City. Surat’s zari craft culture and street food scene make it an interesting add to the business traveller’s map.
- Qatar’s Kids Go Free campaign runs through September 2026. Children under 12 stay, dine and enjoy select experiences free when accompanied by a paying adult. Over 100 hotels participating, plus theme parks, waterparks and museums. A practical short-haul summer option for Indian families.
- Adidas and Saudia have launched a co-branded Made to Fly collection across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Morocco. Sportswear meets aviation, available in retail from April 20.
