IHG Opens 50th Hotel in India with Crowne Plaza Lucknow, Eyes Major Expansion

IHG Opens 50th Hotel in India with Crowne Plaza Lucknow, Eyes Major Expansion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 1, 2025

IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its 50th operational property in India with the grand opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking a major milestone in its journey of growth across the country’s premium hospitality landscape.

Strategically located along Lucknow-Sultanpur Road, the new Crowne Plaza offers easy access to prominent areas like Shahid Path IT hub and the local cricket stadium. Designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers, the hotel features 110 rooms and an expansive 40,000ft² of meeting and event space, making it a key destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) events in the region.

Guests can also enjoy an all-day dining restaurant, a stylish bar, a club lounge, a gymnasium, and an outdoor pool—facilities that make the property ideal for everything from corporate stays to family getaways.

This launch comes on the heels of an impressive 2023, during which IHG signed 18 new hotels in India, nearly 30% of which were in the premium and luxury categories. The brand is not slowing down—in fact, it is preparing to more than double its presence in India, with a robust pipeline of around 70 hotels.

Among the upcoming projects are five InterContinental hotels, ten new Crowne Plaza properties, and five voco hotels, all set to open in the next two to five years.

Commenting on the expansion, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are committed to accelerating our expansion across brand segments, with several more hotels in the pipeline this year. Our goal is to deepen our presence in high-growth cities and deliver exceptional hospitality experiences.”

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Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – MEA & Southwest Asia, added, “India remains one of our most strategic markets globally. While mainstream brands like Holiday Inn and Garner drive our growth, we are also strengthening our premium and luxury offerings with iconic names like Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and Six Senses.”

IHG currently operates hotels under five key brands in India—InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Six Senses, Holiday Inn Resort, and Holiday Inn Express.

In another development, IHG has partnered with Girija Land Ventures to launch the Crowne Plaza Resort Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand, underlining the group’s commitment to expanding into diverse and high-demand locations across India.

A recent white paper by Crowne Plaza also highlighted a growing trend among Indian travellers towards “blended travel”—a mix of work and leisure—with 33% of Indian respondents acknowledging they have engaged in this new travel style, the highest among surveyed countries.

As IHG steps up its India game, its latest opening in Lucknow signals not just a milestone, but a clear sign of things to come in India’s evolving hospitality market.


Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi Wins Indian Hotel of the Year Award

Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi Wins Indian Hotel of the Year Award

By Hariharan U

Published on May 14, 2026

Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi has earned a major international recognition after being awarded the Indian Hotel of the Year by Choice Hotels. The honour was presented during an event held in Las Vegas on 6 May 2026.

The achievement marks an important milestone for the property as well as the SUBA Group of Hotels, under which the hotel operates. The recognition highlights the hotel’s consistent focus on guest experience, hospitality standards, and operational excellence.

Presented under the “Best of Choice” platform, the award celebrates standout properties within the Choice Hotels network that have demonstrated exceptional performance and service quality.

The recognition places Clarion Hotel Khayal Kochi among the top-performing hospitality destinations representing India on a global stage, further strengthening its presence within the international hospitality industry.


Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts Expands Himachal Presence with RoyalPine Kasauli Launch

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts Expands Himachal Presence with RoyalPine Kasauli Launch

By Hariharan U

Published on May 14, 2026

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of Treetop by Eight Continents - RoyalPine Kasauli, marking a significant expansion of the group’s presence in Himachal Pradesh and strengthening its portfolio of design-led experiential hospitality destinations in India.

The UK-based luxury hospitality and hotel management group, known for its focus on emotique hotels, continues its strategy of developing immersive, culturally rooted, and experience-driven stays across high-potential leisure markets.

Nestled amidst the hills of Kasauli, the 44-key property has been designed to offer uninterrupted valley views and sunset-facing experiences, with architecture that blends contemporary aesthetics with natural materials. Built along a natural gradient, every room has been positioned to maximise scenic vistas and create a strong connection with the surrounding landscape.

A key design highlight of the property is the use of knotless pine wood sourced from Finland, bringing warmth and a nature-inspired character to the overall guest experience.

The property features a range of lifestyle and wellness offerings including 8 Cafe and a restaurant and microbrewery concept, along with a sunset deck, dedicated gathering spaces, a spa, steam and sauna facilities, an infinity pool, and a 10-seater jacuzzi. The development reflects the growing consumer demand for boutique hospitality experiences that combine wellness, design, and destination-driven travel.

Speaking on the launch, Richa Adhia, Managing Director of Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, said the addition of RoyalPine Kasauli aligns with the group’s broader strategy of building experience-led destinations in key leisure markets. She noted that Kasauli’s natural beauty and heritage charm make it an ideal setting for immersive hospitality experiences tailored to modern travellers seeking meaningful and design-focused stays.

Founded in 2020 by Haninder Sachdeva, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts operates across India, the UK, and East Africa. Its hospitality portfolio includes brands such as Ocho Homes, Hanric, Treetop, and Stamps, all centred around boutique luxury, local storytelling, and experiential travel.

The launch of RoyalPine Kasauli comes at a time when India’s boutique hospitality segment continues to witness strong momentum, particularly in leisure and mountain destinations where travellers are increasingly prioritising personalised experiences, wellness, and destination authenticity over traditional hotel formats.

For more information, visit Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts


The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa Redefines Luxury Destination Weddings in Rajasthan

The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa Redefines Luxury Destination Weddings in Rajasthan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 12, 2026

The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is emerging as a sought-after destination for luxury weddings in Rajasthan, bringing together scenic landscapes, elegant venues, curated experiences, and premium hospitality under one roof.

Located amidst the peaceful surroundings of Pushkar and close to the town’s spiritual landmarks, the resort offers panoramic 360-degree views of the Aravalli Hills along with stunning sunset backdrops, creating a memorable setting for wedding celebrations.

The property features four outdoor and two indoor venues designed to host multi-day wedding festivities with ease. One of the standout spaces at the resort is its dome-shaped venue inspired by the Shiv Ling, offering a unique setting for sacred pheras. The expansive lawns and smooth baraat processions within the property further add to the grand wedding experience while ensuring convenience for guests.

The resort houses more than 98 rooms and private villas, including pool villas and plunge pool villas, making it ideal for exclusive wedding buyouts. The spacious accommodation setup allows families and guests to celebrate together in privacy and comfort throughout the festivities.

Adding to the experience are the resort’s wellness and leisure offerings, including its premium spa, multiple swimming pools, and the Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio. Guests can also enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities designed for all age groups.

On the culinary front, the resort offers diverse dining experiences ranging from global cuisine at Seasonal Tastes to rooftop dining with panoramic views at Panorama. The hotel also provides customised wedding menus curated to match the style and preferences of each celebration.

Speaking about the wedding experience at the resort, Vijay Chandran, General Manager, said, “Weddings today are about creating immersive, meaningful experiences, and at The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa, we bring together nature, luxury, and thoughtful service to make every celebration truly personal and memorable. Our aim is to offer couples and their families a seamless, all-in-one destination where every detail is taken care of.”

Combining luxury accommodation, elegant venues, wellness experiences, and personalised hospitality, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa continues to position itself as a refined destination for unforgettable weddings in Rajasthan.

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