Anirudh Ravichander Invests in Ironhill Through Albuquerque Records

Anirudh Ravichander Invests in Ironhill Through Albuquerque Records

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 25, 2026

Globally recognised composer and cultural entrepreneur Anirudh Ravichander has invested in Ironhill through his venture Albuquerque Records, marking his second investment in the global hospitality and F&B sector after Loca Loka Tequila.

Ironhill, formed through the merger of Ironhill India and Ironhill US, announced that Anirudh has joined the company as an investor for an undisclosed amount. The investment comes as the hospitality group begins its international chapter, bringing together its growing presence in India with Ironhill US’s craft brewing legacy and hospitality heritage.

For Ironhill, the association adds another connection between hospitality, culture and lifestyle. Anirudh’s experience in building creative ventures across markets also supports the group’s aim to develop a hospitality brand that connects with international audiences while continuing to build on its established presence in India.

For Anirudh Ravichander, the decision to invest in Ironhill is closely linked to his existing association with Sree Harsha Vadlamudi and the team. The two are also co-founders of Loca Loka Tequila, giving Anirudh an opportunity to work closely with the team before joining Ironhill as an investor.

"This is not my first collaboration with Harsha Vadlamudi. We have worked closely together as co-founders of Loca Loka Tequila which gave me a front-row view of how he and his team have built brands with strategic clarity, operational rigour, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. When the opportunity to back Ironhill presented itself, the decision required little deliberation.

Ironhill has built something rare - a hospitality brand with real soul and genuine scale to match. Beyond the trust that I have in the founding team, what drew me to Ironhill was the experience that they have successfully created for patrons across each city. As Ironhill writes its global chapter, I'm not just backing a business. I am backing a philosophy that great experiences, like great music, need no translation." said, Anirudh Ravichander, Investor - Ironhill

For Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, Co-Founder & Board Director - Ironhill India, Anirudh’s investment is significant beyond the financial aspect, particularly as the group prepares for its international expansion.

"Anirudh and I have built something together with Loca Loka that has given me enormous respect for how he thinks about brands and what makes them travel across cultures. His decision to back Ironhill at this moment as we step onto the global stage, speaks to the confidence that people who truly understand brand-building have in what we are creating. We are proud and grateful to have an absolute rockstar like him invest in the venture." added Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, Co-Founder & Board Director - Ironhill India

The investment follows the recently announced formation of Ironhill as a single international platform through the merger of Ironhill India and Ironhill US. The combined group brings together Ironhill India’s growth capital, operational scale and consumer insight with Ironhill US’s craft brewing legacy and hospitality experience. Ironhill currently operates multiple venues across India and the United States, with further expansion into international markets planned through 2026 and 2027.


Ganpati Group Invests ₹250 Crore in Proposed Sheraton Hotel in Lucknow

Ganpati Group Invests ₹250 Crore in Proposed Sheraton Hotel in Lucknow

By Hariharan U

Published on October 24, 2026

Ganpati Group has announced a planned investment of approximately ₹250 crore in a proposed 200-key hotel in Lucknow, in partnership with Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, marking a strategic move into branded hospitality for the diversified business group.

Located in Vibhuti Khand, the proposed development will combine Ganpati Group's real estate development capabilities with Sheraton's established international hospitality brand and management expertise. The project is part of the Group's broader strategy to expand its hospitality portfolio across key urban markets.

Ganpati Group is targeting the addition of approximately 800–1,000 hotel keys over the next three to five years. Hospitality is also a component of its upcoming development portfolio, valued at approximately ₹2,000 crore across residential, commercial and hospitality projects. Lucknow and Visakhapatnam are among its immediate focus markets.

Commenting on the announcement, Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, Ganpati Group, said, “Hospitality is an important pillar of our long-term growth strategy, and our planned ₹250 crore investment in Lucknow, in partnership with Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, reflects our conviction in the potential of India's evolving hospitality market. We believe markets that combine a growing business ecosystem, infrastructure development and tourism potential offer compelling opportunities for quality hospitality assets. Lucknow brings these fundamentals together, making it an important market for our expansion. By combining our real estate development capabilities with Sheraton Hotels and Resorts' established global hospitality expertise, we aim to contribute to the city's evolving hospitality infrastructure while building a stronger, more diversified portfolio for Ganpati Group.”

The partnership reflects the Group's approach of combining strategically positioned real estate investments with established international hospitality brands. Branded hotels are expected to play a growing role in diversifying its business and supporting long-term expansion across business and leisure destinations.

Lucknow's position as Uttar Pradesh's capital, along with its expanding business ecosystem, infrastructure development and tourism potential, underpins the investment. The proposed hotel is intended to contribute to the city's hospitality infrastructure as demand evolves across business, administrative and leisure travel segments.

The announcement also aligns with Ganpati Group's wider development plans across residential, commercial and hospitality real estate, with the Group looking to build a broader presence in markets offering opportunities for long-term growth.

About Ganpati Group

Founded in 1972 as a family business, Ganpati Group is a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, with interests in real estate, hospitality and healthcare. Its flagship real estate arm, Ganpati Infrastructure Development Company Limited, has delivered more than 20 residential and commercial projects across Agra, Vrindavan and other markets.

Its portfolio includes developments such as Ganpati Wonder City, Ganpati Classique and Ganpati World, alongside ongoing projects including Ganpati Smart City, Ganpati Upvana and Ganpati Capital Court in Lucknow. The Group is led by Chairman Anil Agrawal and Managing Director Nikhil Agarwal


Hyatt Place Dholera: GAP Group Begins Work on Proposed Five-Star Hotel

Hyatt Place Dholera: GAP Group Begins Work on Proposed Five-Star Hotel

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 24, 2026

GAP Group has commenced work on Hyatt Place Dholera, a proposed five-star hotel being developed in partnership with Hyatt in Gujarat's Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). The upcoming property will feature 200 rooms, including 20 suites, bringing an internationally recognised hospitality brand to the developing industrial region.

The groundbreaking ceremony was performed by former Gujarat Cabinet Minister Bhupendra Singh Chudasama and Kalubhai Dabhi, MLA from Dhandhuka. Sonale Zagade, General Manager at Hyatt Group, unveiled the hotel's finalised design, offering the first look at the upcoming development. The occasion also included a tree plantation by the dignitaries.

image

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also visited GAP Group's Akhilam Township, where he explored the Hyatt Place Dholera site and other developments, including Avant, the coworking space and the food court. He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Secretary M. K. Das, Chief Minister's Advisors Hasmukh Adhia and S. S. Rathore, Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL) Managing Director Kuldeep Arya, and other senior state government officials.

The hotel will spread across approximately 2.6 lakh sq. ft. of built-up area, including two basement levels, and will rise to approximately 65 metres. Its facilities will include a restaurant, banquet hall, pre-function area, business meeting facilities, swimming pool, gym, café and lounge.

The banquet and pre-function spaces, along with an outdoor lawn, will accommodate approximately 500 people. These facilities are expected to position the hotel for business meetings, conferences and social events, complementing its accommodation and leisure offerings.

Speaking on the occasion, Gopal Goswami, Chairman of GAP Group, said, “Dholera is entering an important phase of development, with several ongoing and upcoming industrial projects creating new opportunities. As business activity grows, there will be a greater need for hospitality facilities to serve investors, business travellers and other visitors. Hyatt Place Dholera is an important step in meeting this need, and we believe it will support the region’s growth in the years ahead.”

Ambrish Parajiya, Managing Director of GAP Group, said, “GAP Group has been part of Dholera’s development journey since commencing operations in 2014. As the first private developer to begin development in the Dholera Activation Zone, we have witnessed the region’s progress over the past decade. We believe that Dholera’s next phase of growth will require infrastructure that supports not only industry and commerce but also the people who will live, work and do business here. Hyatt Place Dholera is an important step in that direction. We remain confident in the region’s potential and plan to invest ₹2,500 crore in Dholera by 2030 across residential, commercial and industrial developments.”

Located along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Dholera SIR is being developed as a smart industrial city with planned infrastructure and multimodal connectivity. The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway and the proposed international airport are expected to improve access to the region as industrial and commercial activity expands.

As Dholera continues to develop, the demand for hospitality facilities is expected to grow alongside its industrial and commercial infrastructure. Hyatt Place Dholera aims to address this demand by bringing together accommodation, meeting spaces, dining and leisure facilities under one roof.

For GAP Group, the project forms part of its wider development plans for Dholera, complementing its residential, commercial and industrial investments. The hotel is expected to support the region's growing business travel needs while offering facilities for visitors attending meetings, conferences and social events.


IHCL Reports 21% Revenue Growth in Q2 FY2027, Raises Full-Year Guidance

IHCL Reports 21% Revenue Growth in Q2 FY2027, Raises Full-Year Guidance

By Hariharan U

Published on October 23, 2026

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has reported its 18th consecutive record quarter, with consolidated revenue rising 21% year-on-year to ₹2,566 crore in Q2 FY2027. The company has also upgraded its full-year revenue growth guidance to 15–17%, supported by strong hotel performance, higher management fees and portfolio expansion.

For the quarter ended 30 September 2026, IHCL recorded EBITDA of ₹788 crore, with a margin of 30.7%, while profit after tax (PAT) increased 23% to ₹349 crore. Operating revenue grew 22%, while operating EBITDA rose 24%, accompanied by a 50-basis-point expansion in operating EBITDA margin.

The performance reflects growth across IHCL's operating portfolio, supported by higher revenue per available room (RevPAR), new hotel openings and contributions from recent acquisitions.

Domestic Demand and Portfolio Growth Drive Performance

Domestic same-store hotels recorded 25% growth in RevPAR, while management fee income also increased 25%, supported by the momentum of new hotel openings. IHCL's Select Service business reported 25% revenue growth, while recent acquisitions, including Brij and Atmantan, added to the quarter's performance.

Demand from social celebrations and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) also remains an important growth driver for the hospitality sector. With seasonally stronger quarters ahead, IHCL expects continued support from domestic travel demand, events and business generated by newly opened properties.

FY2027 Revenue Guidance Upgraded

Building on its first-half performance, IHCL has raised its consolidated revenue growth guidance for FY2027 from 12–14% to 15–17%. The company expects its hotel segment revenue to grow by 17–19%, supported by demand trends and non-like-for-like growth from new properties and portfolio additions.

The upgraded guidance signals management's confidence in sustaining growth through the remainder of the financial year. It also reflects the contribution expected from hotels added to the portfolio, alongside continued performance from existing properties.

Portfolio Reaches 670 Hotels

IHCL signed 47 hotel deals during the first half of FY2027 across its brand portfolio, taking its overall portfolio to 670 hotels. The company said it is now positioned to achieve its Accelerate 2030 target of a 700-hotel portfolio well ahead of schedule.

The expansion reflects IHCL's strategy of growing through a diversified brandscape and a mix of operating models. New signings and openings can strengthen its geographic reach and management fee income, while the performance of existing hotels remains central to revenue and margin delivery.

IHCL's latest results underline the importance of combining same-store hotel growth with expansion across brands and markets. With its full-year guidance upgraded and the portfolio nearing the 700-hotel milestone, the company is entering the second half of FY2027 with a stronger growth outlook.

Key Q2 FY2027 Highlights

  • Consolidated revenue: ₹2,566 crore, up 21%

  • EBITDA: ₹788 crore, up 21%

  • EBITDA margin: 30.7%

  • Profit after tax: ₹349 crore, up 23%

  • Operating revenue growth: 22%

  • Operating EBITDA growth: 24%

  • Domestic same-store RevPAR growth: 25%

  • First-half signings: 47 hotels

  • Total portfolio: 670 hotels

  • Revised FY2027 consolidated revenue growth guidance: 15–17%

  • FY2027 hotel segment revenue growth guidance: 17–19%

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.