Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited has announced that THE Lotus Palace Chettinad will host the Kalai Art and Architecture Festival, a comprehensive celebration of Chettinad's rich artistic heritage. The 4-day, 3-night immersive festival is scheduled from April 3-6, 2026, offering guests an in-depth exploration of one of India's most distinctive architectural legacies.

Festival Overview and Collaboration

The Kalai festival represents a unique collaboration between THE Lotus Palace Chettinad and several of the region's most iconic heritage properties. The participating venues showcase the breadth of Chettinad's architectural heritage:

The festival will unfold across centuries-old Chettiar mansions, sacred temples, and vibrant craft ateliers, providing guests with an intimate encounter with architectural traditions that celebrate a confluence of global influences and aesthetics.

Expert Speakers and Educational Content

The festival features presentations by three distinguished conservation architects and heritage experts, each bringing decades of specialized knowledge:

Sujatha Shankar brings over four decades of professional practice with deep commitment to heritage and contextual design. Her extensive portfolio spans architecture, planning, and interior design across varied project typologies and scales.

Sashikala Ananth contributes over three decades of research into Vastu, the classical Indian science of architecture. Her work focuses on studying and interpreting traditional principles of spatial harmony, orientation, and design embedded within India's architectural heritage.

Pradeep Chakravarthy serves as historian and author whose research explores temples, inscriptions, and cultural history of South India. Known for engaging lectures and compelling storytelling, he brings scholarly insight to the study of India's architectural and cultural heritage.

Festival Experience Components

The Kalai festival offers a comprehensive cultural immersion through multiple experience categories:

• Accommodation: Stays in restored heritage mansions
• Educational Tours: Expert-led architectural tours across historic sites
• Cultural Programming: Traditional performances during evening events
• Culinary Experiences: Authentic Chettinad cuisine presentations
• Coordination Services: Centralized management by THE Lotus Palace Chettinad

Guests will traverse grand courtyards and ornate mansions while exploring temple architecture, participating in conversations with leading conservation voices, and taking immersive village walks. The festival positions itself as more than a cultural event, serving as a curated passage through space, structure, and story where art, architecture, and time converge.

Company Background

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited operates as a leading hospitality sector player with upscale properties and diverse food and beverage offerings. Since inception in 1967 with the opening of its first Kolkata property under THE PARK brand, the company has expanded to operate 39 hotels across India through owned, leased, and managed properties.

The company's portfolio includes five distinct brands: THE PARK, THE PARK Collection, Zone by The Park, Zone Connect by The Park, and Stop by Zone, representing upscale and upper mid-scale categories. Beyond core hospitality services, the company maintains diverse food and beverage operations including restaurants, nightclubs, and bars, plus retail operations through the Flurys brand network of 105 outlets featuring kiosks, cafes, and restaurants.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited has announced a strategic partnership through a Hotel Management and Licensing Agreement with Luxmi Tea Co. Private Limited for the development and operation of a premium hotel project in West Bengal. The agreement was signed on February 26, 2026, marking a significant expansion for the hospitality company.

Project Details

The partnership involves the development of a 100-room premium hotel under 'The Park' brand, strategically located within the Chandmani Tea Estate in Siliguri, West Bengal. The project will utilize approximately 3.25 acres of land within the tea estate, combining hospitality with the scenic backdrop of a working tea plantation.

Comprehensive Facilities

The hotel project encompasses a range of amenities designed to cater to premium hospitality standards. The development will feature multiple revenue-generating facilities beyond accommodation services.

Key facilities planned for the project include:

• Food & beverage outlets
• Banquet hall for events and conferences
• Bar facilities
• Wellness facilities for guest relaxation

Partnership Structure

Luxmi Tea Co. Private Limited, incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, serves as the owner in this partnership arrangement. The company maintains its registered office at 17 R N Mukherjee Road, Kolkata, West Bengal. Under the agreement terms, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited will handle the operation and management responsibilities for the hotel project.

The 20-year management agreement provides long-term operational stability for both parties, with the timeline commencing from the hotel's official opening date. Construction activities are scheduled to conclude by March 2031, positioning the project for operations in the early 2030s.

Strategic Significance

This partnership represents Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited's continued expansion strategy in the premium hospitality segment. The unique location within a tea estate offers distinctive positioning in the market, combining luxury accommodation with an authentic tea plantation experience for guests visiting the Siliguri region.