Marriott Targets Expansion in India with 250 Properties by 2025

Marriott Targets Expansion in India with 250 Properties by 2025

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 8, 2024

Marriott International is aggressively expanding its presence in India, which is currently its fourth-largest market globally. The US-based hospitality leader plans to add 12 new hotels across the country in 2024, continuing this pace in the forthcoming years. This expansion is part of Marriott's broader strategy to grow its Indian portfolio to 250 properties by 2025, including those under development and in the pipeline.

Recently, Marriott celebrated the opening of its 150th hotel in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, and now has 83 new hotels in the pipeline. These upcoming properties will add approximately 12,300 rooms to its existing inventory, which currently stands at over 28,000 rooms across 17 brands. By the completion of this expansion, Marriott expects to manage more than 40,000 rooms in India.

Ranju Alex, Marriott International's Area Vice-President for South Asia, commented on the expansion: “India has shown remarkable resilience in the post-Covid recovery, particularly driven by strong domestic travel. This dynamic has allowed us to accelerate our expansion and focus on new opportunities in emerging urban locations as well as tier II and III cities.”

image

Marriott's strategic focus also includes urban areas with rising investment activity, such as Gujarat, and remains keen on opportunities in Navi Mumbai due to the upcoming airport, which is expected to boost the region's accessibility and economic growth.

Additionally, Marriott is witnessing significant growth in its Bonvoy loyalty program enrollments in India. Currently, Bonvoy members constitute 70% of its total membership base in the country, a figure that is expected to increase to 75% within the year.

The company's robust expansion plan is underpinned by a strong performance in key metrics such as revenue per available room (RevPAR), which surged by over 30% during the 2022-2023 period. A further growth of 12%-13% in RevPAR is projected for the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the healthy demand and Marriott's effective market strategies in India.

This aggressive expansion underscores Marriott's commitment to India as a pivotal market in its global strategy, leveraging the country's rapid economic growth and vibrant domestic tourism sector to reinforce its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.


Minimalist Hotels Expands in Varanasi with Second Design-Led Property

Minimalist Hotels Expands in Varanasi with Second Design-Led Property

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 22, 2025

Minimalist Hotels has strengthened its presence in India’s spiritual capital with the opening of its second property in Varanasi, located in DIG Colony, just two kilometres from its first hotel. Launched on 15 June 2025, the new 24-room hotel reflects the brand’s sharp focus on design-led urban hospitality that appeals to both spiritual and leisure travellers.

The decision to expand came on the back of sustained high occupancy at its first Varanasi outpost, especially during major cultural and religious events. With the city drawing both domestic and international visitors year-round, the new hotel offers a minimal yet modern stay experience for travellers seeking comfort without excess.

image

Gautam Munjal, Founder of Minimalist Hotels, commented,

“Our first hotel in Varanasi saw consistent high occupancy, especially during spiritual and cultural seasons. Opening a second property allowed us to better serve guests while reinforcing our commitment to the region’s hospitality landscape.”

image

Built with understated elegance, the property maintains the brand’s clean aesthetic and calm atmosphere, offering a refreshing take on boutique hospitality. It also features a 50-seater casual dining restaurant and pizzeria, providing a relaxed culinary option for guests after a day of temple visits or sightseeing.

Situated in proximity to key religious and cultural landmarks, the hotel is ideally positioned to serve pilgrims and tourists alike, particularly with major events like the Kumbh Mela approaching.

“The timing of this launch helps us meet rising demand and further cement our position as a premium yet approachable hospitality brand,” added Munjal.

With two operational properties in Varanasi and plans for growth in other high-footfall cities, Minimalist Hotels is poised to redefine understated hospitality across India's urban destinations where design, functionality, and convenience meet.


Hilton Garden Inn Debuts in Mumbai Near International Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Debuts in Mumbai Near International Airport

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 22, 2025

Hilton has officially marked the debut of its focused service brand in India’s financial capital with the launch of Hilton Garden Inn Mumbai International Airport. Developed in collaboration with Fariyas Hotels & Resorts, the 140-room hotel is strategically located in Andheri East, just minutes away from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The new property is designed for today’s business and leisure travellers who seek comfort, efficiency, and a touch of style. Each guest room is thoughtfully equipped with ergonomic workspaces, plush bedding, and contemporary amenities, offering a seamless blend of productivity and relaxation.

Dining and wellness options include Together & Co., an all-day restaurant, a rooftop pool, fitness centre, and &ToGo, a 24/7 convenience store. The hotel also features versatile meeting spaces, making it ideal for corporate events, training programs, and small social gatherings.

image

Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, South Asia, Hilton, said:

“With the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Mumbai International Airport, we are deepening our presence in one of India’s most dynamic and high-demand markets. This opening marks another step in our strategic growth journey as we continue bringing Hilton’s world-class hospitality to more guests across India.”

Jenny Milos, Vice President, Brand Management – Suites & Focused Service, Asia Pacific, Hilton, added:

“Hilton Garden Inn is one of Hilton’s fastest-growing brands globally, designed for travellers who value comfort, convenience, and our signature Brighthearted hospitality. Our debut in Mumbai reinforces our promise to deliver a reliable, business-friendly stay.”

image

Sameer Maredia, Director, Fariyas Hotels Private Limited, shared:

“We are proud to bring Hilton Garden Inn to Mumbai, a city that continues to lead India’s economic growth. With Hilton’s global expertise and our local market insights, we are confident this hotel will meet the evolving needs of today’s discerning travellers.”

Located on Sahar Road, the hotel provides easy access to major business hubs, entertainment zones, and city landmarks such as Juhu Beach, Versova, and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

The hotel is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program, and adds to Hilton’s growing footprint in South Asia, with 63 operational and pipeline hotels across the region.


Lemon Tree Hotels Strengthens Presence in Madhya Pradesh with New Resort Signing in Limbodagari

Lemon Tree Hotels Strengthens Presence in Madhya Pradesh with New Resort Signing in Limbodagari

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 22, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels continues its expansion spree with the signing of Lemon Tree Resort, Limbodagari, Madhya Pradesh. Managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, this new resort will further strengthen the group’s presence in the heart of India.

Set to feature 60 well-appointed rooms, the upcoming property will offer a wide range of amenities including a restaurant, banquet space, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and other public areas — promising a complete leisure and business experience for its guests.

Strategically located, the resort is around 9.4 km from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and 9.3 km from Indore Railway Station, ensuring seamless connectivity. It is situated near Indore’s Super Corridor, a fast-developing 12-km stretch known for its premium residential projects and key IT hubs, making Limbodagari an increasingly attractive location for both developers and travellers. Just 14 km from the city of Indore, the region blends rural charm with emerging urban infrastructure, presenting a unique escape for both leisure seekers and business guests.

Vilas Pawar, CEO – Managed & Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, stated:

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of our portfolio in Madhya Pradesh — the heart of India. Lemon Tree Hotels is expanding its presence across the country in cities across all tiers to become the most preferred hospitality chain across different segments. This opening will be in addition to our four existing and seven upcoming hotels in Madhya Pradesh.”

With this addition, Lemon Tree strengthens its presence in Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total to 11 hotels — 4 operational and 7 in the pipeline — reflecting its strategy to tap into both metro and emerging destinations across India.

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.