Thomas Cook (India) Limited's wholly owned subsidiary Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited announced the launch of Sterling Avante Mohali on February 17, 2026, marking the company's strategic expansion into Punjab's dynamic Tricity corridor. The new hotel targets the growing corporate travel and events market in the region.

Strategic Location and Market Positioning

Sterling Avante Mohali is strategically positioned in TDI City, Sector 117, capitalizing on Mohali's emergence as a key business hub within the Chandigarh Tricity region. The hotel is designed specifically for corporate travel, conferences, and celebration-led stays, addressing the increasing demand from enterprise activity and strong connectivity infrastructure in the area.

Hotel Facilities and Amenities

The hotel offers contemporary accommodations and comprehensive event infrastructure designed to serve both business and leisure travelers. Key facilities include modern rooms and suites with reliable service standards, and events-ready infrastructure that can accommodate various functions from boardroom meetings to large celebrations.

The dining experience centers around Essence, the all-day restaurant, which provides a versatile setting for business meals, hosted dinners, and celebratory gatherings. The menu combines Indian favorites with regional touches and global staples, catering to diverse guest preferences.

Event and Conference Capabilities

The hotel's event offerings are anchored by the Crystal Banquet Hall, specifically designed to transition smoothly across different function types. The facility can accommodate corporate conferences, product launches, weddings, and social functions, supported by Sterling's experienced operations and culinary teams.

Management Commentary

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, highlighted the strategic importance of the Mohali location. He emphasized that Mohali represents one of India's most exciting new-age cities, characterized by commercial vibrancy, strong connectivity, and growing importance for business travel and celebrations.

Maninder Singh Marwah, Director of Shining Star Hospitality, noted Mohali's emergence as a natural extension of the Chandigarh Tricity's business and events ecosystem. He expressed confidence in Sterling's operating capabilities and nationwide network to meet the evolving needs of business travelers and event organizers.

Sterling Holiday Resorts Portfolio

With the Mohali launch, Sterling Holiday Resorts continues building its balanced portfolio across resorts, leisure hubs, spiritual destinations, and business-forward hotels. The company currently operates over 3,700 keys across 59 unique destinations throughout India.

The company maintains presence across popular destinations including Alleppey, Amritsar, Coorg, Corbett, Darjeeling, Goa, Manali, Mussoorie, Ooty, Shimla, and Udaipur, among others, offering comprehensive hospitality solutions across leisure and business segments.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited's wholly owned subsidiary Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of Sterling Saryu Ayodhya, its second resort in the holy city. The launch on February 13, 2026, strengthens Sterling's destination-led growth strategy in one of India's most significant spiritual hubs, responding to the sharp rise in visitor movement supported by improved connectivity and upgraded infrastructure.

Strategic Expansion in Pilgrimage Tourism

The new resort addresses the evolving needs of pilgrimage travel, which has witnessed increased movement from multi-generational families, senior travelers, and group tours. Sterling Saryu Ayodhya focuses on providing comfort, reliability, and calm experiences, particularly during peak movement seasons when dependable accommodations become essential.

Resort Features and Positioning

Inspired by Ayodhya's spiritual identity and named after the sacred River Saryu, the resort has been designed as a restful retreat for faith-led journeys. The accommodations are thoughtfully planned to align with the rhythm of pilgrimage days, where early mornings, temple circuits, and long walks make restorative sleep essential.

The property serves familiar, wholesome vegetarian flavors through The Saryu Café, while calm common areas and a well-appointed banquet hall make it suitable for spiritual group travel, family gatherings, and focused meetings.

Regional Connectivity and Access

Sterling Saryu Ayodhya serves as a convenient base for extended heritage journeys across North India, with strategic access to key regional destinations:

Management Commentary

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, emphasized the significance of Ayodhya in India's pilgrimage landscape, noting the destination's transformation through stronger infrastructure and rising demand. He highlighted Sterling's commitment to providing comfort, calm, and reliability delivered with warmth, recognizing that hospitality in spiritual destinations involves supporting both the physical and emotional aspects of the journey.

Rishi Uppal, Director of Kalyan KK Hotels India Pvt Ltd, acknowledged the growing demand for organized, comfort-led hospitality in Ayodhya and praised Sterling's leadership in heritage and pilgrimage destinations as the right partnership for this vision.

About Sterling Holiday Resorts

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited operates a portfolio across 58 unique destinations with over 3,700 keys operational. The company maintains resorts at India's popular holiday destinations spanning pilgrimage sites, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, and coastal locations. As a 100% independently managed subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited, Sterling is part of the Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited group.