Introducing The Trailblazers Of The Hospitality Industry

The very first Outlook Traveller Hospitality Awards celebrated trailblazers from hospitality sector. Hosted by actor Swedha Bahal, the gala night took place on the eve of March 4, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Delhi. "Transformation through Innovation" carried the theme of the awards. The winners were selected by rounds of rigorous evaluation. After a careful consideration by our expert jury, here is the final list of winners across 18 categories.

Boutique Hotel of the Year &ndash Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond

Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond is a beautiful waterfront retreat in Kumarakom, nestled on the banks of Lake Vembanad. It is located in Kerala.

Business Hotel of the Year &ndash Jehan Numa Palace

Jehan Numa Palace is located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Whether it is for leisure or business, their hospitality has set a benchmark.

Chef of the Year &ndash Aditi Handa

Aditi Handa is the head chef of The Baker's Dozen. She has received this award for her excellent culinary skills.

Economy Hotel of the Year &ndash Fortune District Centre Ghaziabad

Fortune District Centre Ghaziabad is a hotel that captures the spirit of the new-age traveller and offers an array of guest facilities and services. They have excelled in the economy hotel category.

Excellence in Sustainability Practices &ndash Grand Mercure Gandhinagar Gift City

Grand Mercure Gandhinagar GIFT City is located in the heart of GIFT City Gandhinagar. It has also received the 'Gold level of certificate' under the Indian Green Building Council's (IGBC) Green New Building Rating System for being sustainable and environment-friendly.

Heritage Hotel of the Year &ndash The Tamara Kodai

The Tamara Kodai hotel is a luxury Kodaikanal hotel dating back to the 1840s. The building itself was initially called Baynes Bungalow, owned by British District Judge Mr Baynes. They have excelled in the Heritage Hotel category.

Hostel of the Year &ndash Zostel Manali (Old Manali)

Situated between panoramic Himalayan views, an apple orchard and a gorgeous garden café, Zostel Manali is the backpacker's paradise. They have excelled in the Hostel of the Year category. Zostel Manali is located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

Excellence in Hotel Architecture &ndash The Leela Palace Chennai

The Leela Palace in Chennai has been recognized for its outstanding decorated walls, an enviable collection of art and artifacts and its picturesque view of the tranquil waterfront.

Luxury Resort of the Year &ndash The Leela Palace Udaipur

The Leela Palace is located in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is one of the most sought-after destinations to experience true Indian luxury with signature hospitality.

Nightclub/Pub of the Year &ndash SAZ on the Beach

SAZ on the Beach is located in Goa, the country's tourism capital. They have excelled in the Nightclub/Pub of the Year category.

Resort of the Year &ndash Taj Holiday Village Resort and Spa, Goa

With elegant Indo-Portuguese architectural heritage, Romanesque arches, pillared verandahs and sunny saqu&atildeos (central courtyards), Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa is one of the finest luxury resorts in Goa.

Standalone Restaurant of the Year &ndash CHO Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar

Nestled in a 160-year-old haveli overlooking the city's revered Qutub Minar, CHO is a unique restaurant with nature at its centre. It is an urban escape rooted amidst beautiful tall trees framed through broad arches.

Tour Operator of the Year (Domestic) &ndash Southern Travels Pvt. Ltd.

Southern Travels has been ranked as the number one travel operator by the Ministry of Tourism. When it comes to the best tour operator in the country, they continue to excel.

Travel Blogger of the Year &ndash Hungrycruisers

Hungrycruisers, represented by Arushi and Prakhar, have excelled in the travel blogger category. Their travel insights and documentation have been invaluable for travellers throughout the country.

Wellness Resort of the Year &ndash Amal Tamara and Ananda in the Himalayas

Amal Tamara combines approach traditional ayurvedic concepts with modern-day luxury to create a perfect symphony of contemporary Ayurveda. When it comes to an ideal healing journey, Amal Tamara is a definite winner.

Ananda in the Himalayas offers signature all-inclusive packages tailored for individual health goals. Ananda's wellness retreat programmes have a team of expert ayurvedic doctors, skilled therapists, nutritionists, yogis and spa cuisine chefs. Ananda In The Himalayas is located in Narendra Nagar Tehri, Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

Wildlife Resort of the Year &ndash WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort

WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa is a luxury retreat resort. Spread across 20 acres of the private estate of indigenous wild land. There is a huge tranquil lake with resident crocodiles in the resort. If you're lucky, you can also spot a leopard. For this reason, they are truly the winners in this category.

Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year &ndash Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa

Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa have been awarded for its generous contribution to the state during the pandemic. Their service towards the community has been invaluable. They are located in Goa.

Home Stay of The Year (Editor's Choice Award) &ndash Svanir Wilderness Ecostay, Bhubaneswar

Svanir is an eco-friendly boutique hotel located on the outskirts of Bhubaneshwar. In terms of wilderness and beauty, it is an exceptional stay. It utilizes local and tribal architecture to offer a one-of-a-kind travel experience.

Meanwhile, a jury of 11 industry experts evaluated nominees and selected the winners for the Outlook Traveller Hospitality Awards. The jury included individuals such as Madan Prasad Bezbaruah (retired Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism), Diwan Gautam Anand (former Executive Vice President of ITC Hotels), Raj Sahu (Founder and CEO of sysotel.ai), Dinesh Vyas (Marketing Head at H&ampR Johnson), Berivan Birkan (Lead, EMEA/US/IN Marketing, Klook) Nishith Upadhyaya (Senior Director of Advisory Services, SHRM India, APAC & MENA), Savi Munjal and Vidit Taneja (creators of the travel website and blog Bruised Passports), Shivya Nath (Founder, Climate Conscious Travel), Shipra Khanna (celebrity chef), Joy Mitra (fashion designer), and Priyam Chatterjee (award-winning chef).

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