Hospitality
CG Hospitality and Marriott International Launch Series by Marriott with The Fern Brand Portfolio in India
CG Hospitality Global, the hospitality arm of CG Corp Global and majority stakeholder in Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL), proudly announced a landmark collaboration with Marriott International for the Global Launch of Series by Marriott— A new midscale and upscale collection brand. This historic move is anchored by the affiliation of The Fern portfolio, one of India’s most respected eco-sensitive hotel chains.
Founded in 1996, CHPL has grown into one of India’s most respected hotel management companies. This partnership marks a major milestone for India’s hospitality sector. The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat will be integrated into Marriott’s global ecosystem. With over 120 operating hotels under various brands, in 90 cities and 40 additional properties in the pipeline at CHPLA, the deal is expected to add up to 84 Fern branded hotels and approximately 6,000 rooms to Marriott’s India portfolio—making it one of the most significant multi-unit transactions in the country’s hospitality landscape.
The agreement includes a strategic equity investment by Marriott in CHPL and an exclusive long-term co-branding relationship for The Fern brands in India. Fern hotels will now benefit from Marriott’s global distribution platforms, digital systems, and the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with 237 Million members, while retaining their independent spirit and regional identity.
This collaboration reflects CG Hospitality’s long-standing belief in the strength of regionally rooted brands with global potential. CG Hospitality, headquartered in Dubai, has nurtured Fern into a leading name in eco-sensitive, high-quality hospitality. Having already established a strong footprint in the UAE with landmark properties such as Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers, the partnership now takes that vision global, amplifying the reach and capabilities of The Fern across the Middle East and beyond.
Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director & CEO, CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings, said:
“This strategic collaboration represents more than just a portfolio expansion—it’s the alignment of two shared visions to redefine the mid-market hospitality landscape. At CG Hospitality, we’ve long championed sustainable, responsible, and accessible hospitality, particularly through Fern’s pioneering presence across India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. With this partnership, we’re now setting our sights on taking The Fern to 500 hotels by 2030, and arguably making The Fern brands, the biggest in this segment, in India, while expanding CG Hospitality’s footprint to 650 hotels globally. Marriott’s global scale, trust, and loyalty ecosystem will be a powerful catalyst in achieving this ambitious vision. Together, we’re not only strengthening India’s hospitality infrastructure but enabling a regional eco-sensitive brand to thrive on the global stage. This is a defining moment for The Fern and a bold new chapter for Indian hospitality.”
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to scaling responsibly and serving consciously, particularly across emerging and culturally rich destinations in India.
“Series by Marriott furthers Marriott’s commitment to delivering lodging offerings in the right place at the right price with basics done well,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International. “Creating a new, regional collection brand will further Marriott’s reach among value-conscious travelers, provide additional choice for our existing Marriott Bonvoy members and guests, and offer more affiliation opportunities for local owners. We are thrilled to launch Series by Marriott through our founding deal with CHPL. This deal will help meaningfully expand Marriott’s leading position in India, a key market for the company. We see this multi-unit conversion deal as a strong foundation as we look to accelerate growth of the Series by Marriott collection in additional markets around the world. The Fern portfolio throughout India is highly regarded and CHPL’s commitment to operational excellence and meeting the needs of regional travelers embodies the spirit of the Series by Marriott brand.”
CG Hospitality currently operates a diverse portfolio of 195 Hotels, Resorts, and Wellness destinations across 12 countries and 127 destinations. This partnership underscores CG Hospitality’s role as a global enabler for Indian hospitality brands and its continued investment in the future of India’s travel and tourism industry and in high-growth regions such as the Middle East. CG Hospitality and Marriott International recently also signed an agreement to convert The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines into an Autograph Collection resort, marking the brand’s debut in the country and a significant step in expanding the wellness-focused property to international markets.
Hospitality
THE WORLD CUP TAKES OVER THE COTERIE THIS SUMMER WITH STADIUM-STYLE FAN FESTIVAL

This summer, football fever takes over Dubai as The Coterie Ibn Battuta partners with African + Eastern to launch Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois. Running from June 11 to July 19, the high-energy World Cup fan festival promises giant screens, stadium-style energy and unforgettable match-day moments from first kick to the Final.
Designed to capture the energy and unpredictability that makes football so special, Festiball will transform The Coterie into a stadium-style fan destination packed with live entertainment, immersive activations, crowd energy and non-stop tournament action throughout the summer.
Fans can also expect dedicated match-day food and drinks menus including stacked burgers, pies, pastries and loaded chip cones alongside The Coterie’s signature à la carte menu.
Selected headline fixtures will turn up the energy with CO2 cannons, ultras-style flags, live DJs, drums and MC hosts creating an electric stadium atmosphere right in the heart of Dubai.
Throughout the tournament, fans can expect all-day hops offers, score prediction competitions, match-day prizes and surprise fan moments across every major fixture – with AED 500 vouchers up for grabs during activated games. Ladies can also kick-start selected match days with complimentary drinks before kick-off, while returning fans will unlock exclusive rewards and tournament-long experiences throughout the summer.
Speaking about the launch, Heinrich Spies, General Manager, said:“Festiball is all about bringing people together and recreating the energy, excitement and unpredictability that makes football so special. We wanted to create more than just a place to watch the games – this is a full football festival experience with incredible atmosphere, entertainment and fan moments from start to finish.”
With football fans expected to gather across the city this summer, Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois is set to become one of Dubai’s go-to destinations for every goal, chant, celebration and unforgettable match-day moment.
Hospitality
DABUBU CHOCOLATE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN THE UAE AS DUBAI’S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLLECTIBLE CHOCOLATE BRAND

DABUBU CHOCOLATE has officially arrived in the UAE, launching exclusively online as the first collectible luxury chocolate brand of its kind in Dubai. Blending playful creativity with premium chocolate craftsmanship and Middle Eastern inspired flavours, the brand introduces a completely new confectionery concept designed specifically for the region’s growing luxury and culture-driven consumer market. Consumers can now purchase the launch collection exclusively via www.dabubuchocolate.ae, with delivery available across the UAE.
Created through a collaboration between TACO BRANDS LLC-FZ and A22 FZC, DABUBU CHOCOLATE transforms the iconic Dabubu character into an edible experience inspired by curiosity, nostalgia, art and culture.
The first release introduces a signature 100g chocolate bar featuring a rich blend of salted caramel, dates, baklava and cardamom, a flavour combination never before seen in the UAE, combining familiar regional flavours with a modern premium twist. Each bar also includes DABUBU’s signature mystery chain detail, making every piece instantly recognisable and collectible.
“DABUBU CHOCOLATE was created to be more than just chocolate,” said Werner Coetzee, Co-Founder of TACO BRANDS. “We wanted to build a product that feels playful, premium, visually exciting and deeply connected to the UAE market and culture.”
Manufactured in the UAE and developed specifically for the GCC market, DABUBU CHOCOLATE aims to bridge the gap between luxury gifting, pop culture and modern confectionery. The launch reflects the growing demand for products that are not only high quality, but also experience driven and social media friendly.
Hospitality
SUN, HISTORY & FIVE-STAR LUXURY: WHY THE IXIAN GRAND & ALL SUITES IN RHODES SHOULD BE ON EVERY TRAVELLER’S RADAR THIS SUMMER
Summer is almost here, and a Greek escape to The Ixian Grand & All Suites in Rhodes deserves to be on the agenda this season. Greece’s largest Dodecanese Island has been luring travellers for centuries, with its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, layers of ancient history, and unmissable Aegean golden-hour glow. This five-star retreat is poised on the serene shores of Ixia Bay, just six kilometres from the charming Rhodes Town.
At The Ixian Grand & All Suites, the all-inclusive experience captures the heart and soul of Mediterranean living, inviting a sense of calm where both mind and body can truly reset. Days drift by effortlessly – poolside lounging, beachfront cocktails, and the freedom to explore six exceptional restaurants and bars at a leisurely pace. Across six exceptional restaurants and bars, guests can journey from bold Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Muza Htista to the Mediterranean flavours of Vis-à-Vis, Alazonia, and Milonges – every meal a fresh, vibrant celebration of the island’s finest ingredients.
This summer, Rhodes comes alive with a packed calendar of events – from the Rhodes Soul Festival (1-8 June) and Lindos Rock Festival (10-17 June), to the Rhodes Street Food Festival (3-12 July) where live music, global flavours and community spirit come together in the ancient town.
Whether after romance, rest, or a reunion with friends, The Ixian Grand & All Suites is the ultimate setting for a summer escape worth remembering.
The Ixian Grand & All Suites is offering those who book directly via the hotel’s website for 7+ nights, Stay & Dine Experience which includes:
• Two Free A la Carte dinners per stay
• One Dine Out Experience at a local restaurant with Authentic Greek Cuisine per stay.
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