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.