Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the signing of a new resort in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. This greenfield project will be developed under the Gateway brand, further strengthening the company’s presence in the region.

Sharing her thoughts on the development, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate and Development, IHCL said, “Kasauli, with its serene surroundings and colonial charm, is a sought-after leisure destination in North India. Its proximity to key urban centres makes it an ideal getaway for travellers seeking respite in the hills. We are delighted to partner with Vasuki Hospitality Private Limited for this project.”

The upcoming Gateway Kasauli will feature 96 keys and offer scenic views of the surrounding hills. The resort will include a range of dining options such as an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and a bar. Guests can also access facilities including a heated swimming pool, fitness centre, and a spa.

The property is also designed to cater to events and gatherings, with banqueting facilities spanning over 4,000 sq ft., making it suitable for weddings, social events, and corporate retreats.

Mr. Anshul Singla, Director, Vasuki Hospitality Private Limited stated, “We are happy to foray into the hospitality industry with a partner like IHCL. Kasauli’s scenic beauty and growing popularity as a holiday destination, offers immense potential for development in the region.”

Located in the foothills of the Shivalik range, Kasauli is known for its calm environment, colonial-era charm, and scenic views. The destination attracts travellers for nature walks, trekking trails, and landmarks such as Christ Church and Gilbert Trail.

With this addition, IHCL will have a total of 27 hotels in Himachal Pradesh, including 12 currently under development, further expanding its footprint in the state.

Sayaji Hotels has introduced ‘The Forest Chapter’, a new experiential hospitality brand that focuses on immersive stays set in India’s wild landscapes. With this launch, the group steps into the eco-tourism space, offering travellers a chance to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Designed as more than just a forest getaway, The Forest Chapter brings together jungle resorts that focus on experience, comfort, and a deeper connection with the surroundings. Each retreat is planned as a quiet and personal space where guests can unwind and engage with nature at their own pace.

The brand’s design approach keeps things simple yet thoughtful, with spaces that blend naturally into the environment while still offering warmth and comfort. The idea is to create an atmosphere that encourages stillness, reflection, and a slower way of living, allowing the natural setting to take centre stage.

The Forest Chapter begins its journey with three destinations across India, Sasan Gir, Jawai, and Madhai. Each location offers a different experience shaped by its landscape, from dense forests to rocky terrains and calm backwaters. Every stay is designed to feel unique, giving guests a fresh perspective on nature with each visit.

Experiences at these resorts are carefully curated, including jungle safaris, forest walks, cultural interactions, wellness activities, and outdoor moments under the open sky. The focus is on creating meaningful experiences without rushing the guest, allowing discovery to happen naturally.

Ms. Saba Dhanani, Corporate Head, Marketing & Communications, Sayaji Hotels, said: “The Forest Chapter is a deeply intentional brand - one that invites travellers to slow down, disconnect from the noise and reconnect with themselves and the natural world. Every element, from design to experience, is crafted to evoke stillness, reflection and a quiet sense of belonging. It is not just about where you stay, but how you feel while you are there and what you take back with you.”

Mr. Raoof Dhanani, Managing Director, Sayaji Hotels, said: “For over four decades, Sayaji Hotels has been committed to delivering heartfelt hospitality, ensuring every guest feels truly valued. With our foray into the eco-tourism landscape, we aim to extend this same warmth to modern travellers seeking immersive, meaningful experiences.”

With this move, Sayaji Hotels is expanding its presence into a space that values emotion, connection, and thoughtful travel. The Forest Chapter aims to offer stays that stay with guests even after the journey ends, creating a lasting impression of the wild.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has continued its steady growth, taking its overall portfolio to 628 hotels. This includes 373 hotels currently in operation and a strong pipeline of 255 upcoming properties, showing the company’s clear focus on expansion.

Sharing insights on this growth, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “This fiscal year marked a record of 250 signings through inorganic and sustained organic growth delivering an expanded brandscape and scaling our presence in the midscale segment. Reflective of the rising affluence and accompanying demand, we strengthened our presence in the luxury segment with the on boarding of Claridges Collection, a boutique luxury offering and acquisition of controlling stake in Atmantan, an integrated wellness centre and Brij hospitality in experiential leisure. Ginger leads the midscale segment with the acquisition of majority stake in ANK and Pride hospitality reaching a 250+ portfolio across 150+ locations.”

She further added, “IHCL demonstrated organic growth momentum across its brandscape with 19 signings in Taj including a hotel in Cairo, a 500 key hotel in Patna and a hotel and branded residences in NOIDA. The re-imagined Gateway reached a milestone portfolio of over 50 hotels.”

Highlighting the company’s expansion on the operations side, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL said, “In line with our guidance, IHCL opened 30+ hotels this fiscal year well represented across brands. Entering new markets of Lakshadweep, Ekta Nagar, Raichak, Kanpur, Vrindavan and Bhutan and strengthening our presence in Goa, Ahmedabad, Coorg, Kochi, Gurugram, Delhi, Varanasi, Udaipur, Haridwar and Dehradun.”

She added, “Through acquisitions this year we added over 100 operating hotels taking IHCL’s operating hotels to 373 hotels with over 33,000 rooms this fiscal.”

With this pace of growth, IHCL is moving closer to its long-term vision under the Accelerate 2030 strategy, aiming to reach a portfolio of 700 hotels in the coming years.