IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to bring its premium voco brand to Karjat, Maharashtra, after signing a management agreement with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. The existing property will be converted into voco Karjat and is expected to join IHG’s portfolio by early 2028, adding more than 200 rooms to its presence in India.

Located in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain range, Karjat is becoming a popular choice for weekend breaks and leisure travel. The destination is around 62 km from Mumbai and 102 km from Pune, giving it easy access to two of Maharashtra’s major urban centres. The location also has growing potential for destination weddings, social celebrations and MICE retreats. With demand increasing for premium getaways and experience-led travel, Karjat is emerging as an attractive market for branded hospitality.

voco is positioned around the idea of offering guests the comfort and standards of a global hotel brand while allowing each property to retain its own personality. The brand gives owners flexibility to create an individual hotel experience, supported by IHG’s global distribution network, loyalty platform and commercial expertise.

Once converted, voco Karjat will feature more than 200 rooms along with three dining options. These will include a 200-seat all-day dining restaurant, a 50-seat pool bar and a 150-seat rooftop offering. The property will also include a fitness centre and spa, parking facilities, pet-friendly amenities, a kids’ zone and salon. The facilities are planned to cater to leisure travellers, families, groups and MICE guests.

Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Karjat is emerging as an exciting leisure market in Maharashtra, with its proximity to Mumbai and Pune creating a strong opportunity to serve the growing demand for weekend travel, weddings, celebrations and MICE. At IHG, our approach is to bring the right brands to the right markets, while working closely with owners to build new hotels or unlock the potential of existing assets and create compelling propositions for guests. voco is well suited to a destination like Karjat, where travelers are looking for a premium experience that feels distinctive, relaxed and connected to the character of the place. We are pleased to partner with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. on this conversion and look forward to bringing voco’s distinctive hospitality to Karjat.”

Naqisa Chaudhary, CEO, Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd., added: “Karjat has strong potential as a premium leisure and events destination, and we see an opportunity to build on the existing property and create a differentiated hospitality experience. Our partnership with IHG and the introduction of voco will combine the character of the property with the strength of a globally recognized brand, creating a compelling proposition for travellers, weddings and MICE.”

The Karjat signing is part of IHG’s wider strategy to grow its premium portfolio through both new-build projects and conversions. The approach allows the company to bring its brands into high-potential markets while giving owners access to IHG’s commercial expertise, distribution network, enterprise platform and loyalty ecosystem.

voco has also seen strong global growth through its conversion-friendly model, reaching 100 open hotels worldwide within seven years of its launch.

In India, IHG currently operates 53 open hotels across seven brands, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express. The company also has a pipeline of 110 hotels expected to open in India over the next 3-5 years.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is set to bring its European lifestyle brand Vienna House to India with the signing of Vienna House Easy Vrindavan, the brand's first property in the country.

The 100-key hotel is expected to open in 2029 and will be developed by entrepreneur Sachin Kumar, owner and operator of Kumar Beverages Industries, in partnership with Nardev Chaudhary.

The signing comes as Indian travellers increasingly look for hotel stays that offer more than just accommodation, with greater interest in experiences, local culture and the character of a destination. While European destinations such as Switzerland, Italy and France accounted for more than 52 percent of Indian outbound travel demand to Europe last year, spiritual destinations such as Vrindavan have also seen visitor numbers reach the tens of millions. Vienna House Easy Vrindavan will bring together the brand's European-inspired design and hospitality with the traditions and character of the destination.

Commenting on the launch, Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, "Indian travellers are increasingly choosing hotels for how they make them feel, not simply where they allow them to stay. Across Europe, Vienna House has built its reputation on creating welcoming, design-led experiences that feel connected to the communities around them. As destinations such as Vrindavan attract a broader mix of travellers seeking culture, spirituality and discovery, we see a clear opportunity to introduce a brand that combines international hospitality standards with a genuine sense of place. Together with Mr. Sachin Kumar and Mr. Nardev Chaudhary, we are excited to bring that experience to India for the first time,"

Part of the wider Vienna House brand family, Vienna House Easy offers a relaxed lifestyle experience that combines European-inspired design with the culture and identity of each destination.

The upcoming four-star, 100-key lifestyle hotel is planned to feature an all-day dining restaurant, rooftop infinity pool and poolside terrace, banquet space and a curated vegetarian dining offering inspired by local traditions.

The property will also benefit from its location near some of Vrindavan's well-known landmarks, including Banke Bihari Temple, Prem Mandir and ISKCON Vrindavan. It will also offer access from Mathura Junction, Agra and Delhi.

Speaking about the project, Sachin Kumar, Partner, Vienna House Easy Vrindavan, said, "Vrindavan is undergoing a remarkable transformation, attracting not only pilgrims but also families and travellers seeking richer cultural experiences. Together with Wyndham, we are creating a hotel that brings the warmth, character and design ethos of Vienna House Easy to India while remaining rooted in the traditions and identity of Vrindavan. We believe guests will value a hospitality experience that combines international quality, thoughtful design and an authentic connection to destination,”

The signing adds to Wyndham's plans to introduce globally recognised brands that match the changing preferences of Indian travellers. With its global presence, distribution network and Wyndham Rewards membership base of more than 126 million enrolled members worldwide, Vienna House Easy is positioned for further growth in India through partnerships with hotel owners. With the first Vienna House Easy property in India planned for Vrindavan, Wyndham is bringing a European-inspired lifestyle brand to a destination known for its strong spiritual and cultural appeal.

Pride Hotels & Resorts has expanded its presence in Madhya Pradesh with the launch of Pride Plaza Indore, a 141-room upscale hotel on AB Bypass near Rau. The new property marks the group's second hotel in Indore and the first Pride Plaza brand entry into the city.

The launch also carries a personal meaning for the group, particularly for S.P. Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Pride Hotels & Resorts, who hails from Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh. For the group, the opening represents both a business milestone and a homecoming.

"It gives us immense pleasure to launch our own hotel in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh, in Indore. This property holds a special place for us, it is the 8th hotel owned by the group, and to have it here in Madhya Pradesh, the state I call home, makes this moment truly personal for me and for all of us at Pride Hotels,” said Jain.

Pride Plaza Indore features 141 well-appointed rooms, a swimming pool, six versatile event venues, three restaurants, a pool side lounge & bar and an expansive banquet space. The property has been planned to serve both business travellers and the city's growing wedding market, along with MICE events and social celebrations.

With the opening, Indore becomes the only city in Madhya Pradesh to have two Pride properties, with Pride Plaza Indore joining Pride Premier Indore. Along with the group's existing hotels in Bhopal, Ujjain and Jabalpur, the launch takes Pride Hotels' presence in Madhya Pradesh to five hotels.

Speaking about the group's growth strategy, Satyen Jain, CEO, Pride Hotels Limited, said, “As we move into an exciting new phase of expansion, one of our core strengths has been our strategically located and highly diversified portfolio of hotels and resorts across India. Our presence has been consciously built across key business and gateway markets, high-growth leisure destinations, and culturally significant pilgrimage hubs. This diversification has given us a balanced and resilient portfolio, with 67 percent of our keys in business markets, 18 percent in leisure cities, and 15 percent in pilgrimage destinations allowing us to capture year-round demand from corporate travellers, government business, weddings, MICE, domestic tourism, and social celebrations,”

The new property also reflects Pride Hotels' focus on creating hotels that connect with their destinations. Atul Upadhyay, Executive Director, Pride Hotels, said, "Pride Plaza Indore is a true reflection of our 5 Senses philosophy, bringing together the warmth of local hospitality with the sights, sounds, flavours and traditions of Madhya Pradesh. We are confident that under the leadership of Prantik Sengupta, general manager, Pride Plaza Indore, this property will carry the Pride brand forward and set new benchmarks for hospitality in the region."

With its location, event spaces and range of dining and leisure facilities, Pride Plaza Indore is positioned to serve Indore's business and social demand while strengthening Pride Hotels & Resorts' growing footprint across Madhya Pradesh.