IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with AR Infra Consultancy to develop Crowne Plaza Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport Road, marking the Crowne Plaza brand's debut in Hyderabad. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2031, the 250-key hotel will strengthen IHG's presence in the city while targeting demand from airport transit, corporate travel, meetings and events.

The upcoming property will be located adjacent to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and the 3.5 million sq. ft. World Trade Centre, positioning it within one of Hyderabad's emerging commercial and infrastructure corridors.

Shamshabad is witnessing development across commercial, industrial and logistics sectors, with aerospace facilities and mixed-use projects expected to support further business activity. The airport handled approximately 31 million passengers in 2025, while the development of the World Trade Centre and the expanding Aeronautical Park could add to the area's corporate travel potential.

For IHG, the signing reflects an opportunity to establish its premium Crowne Plaza brand in a location that combines airport connectivity with access to emerging business infrastructure. The hotel is expected to serve corporate travellers, event organisers, long-stay guests and professionals associated with industrial and infrastructure projects.

Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said Shamshabad presents a compelling growth opportunity given its proximity to the airport and the development of commercial infrastructure. He added that the property could address growing corporate, meetings and airport-related demand while strengthening IHG's premium portfolio in India.

P. Revanth Reddy of AR Infra Consultancy described the project as the company's first venture into the hospitality sector, building on its experience in real estate and infrastructure across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He said the partnership with IHG would support the development of a landmark hospitality destination and establish a foundation for the company's long-term presence in the sector.

Hotel Facilities and Key Features

Once operational, Crowne Plaza Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport Road will feature 250 keys, including 37 suites, alongside a range of dining, business and leisure facilities.

The planned food and beverage offering includes five outlets:

• All-day dining restaurant: 187 seats

• Bar: 65 seats

• Specialty restaurant: 65 seats

• Pool bar: 65 seats

• Lobby lounge: 55 seats

The hotel will also feature 1,170 sq. m. of meeting and event space across five venues, including an 800 sq. m. ballroom. Additional facilities will include a club lounge, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and parking spaces.

The combination of meeting facilities, multiple dining venues and leisure amenities is intended to position the property for corporate gatherings, conferences, social events and airport-linked stays.

IHG Expands Its Hyderabad and India Portfolio

The signing further expands IHG's presence in Hyderabad, where its existing portfolio includes two operational Holiday Inn Express hotels and an InterContinental hotel under development. The new Crowne Plaza will add a premium offering focused on business travel and MICE demand.

Across India, IHG currently operates 53 hotels across seven brands and has a pipeline of 110 hotels expected to open over the next three to five years. Its portfolio includes Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express.

The planned Crowne Plaza Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport Road adds to this expansion strategy, with the location offering access to airport traffic and the commercial developments expected to shape the region's growth over the coming years.

ITC Hotels Limited (ITCHL) has announced the signing of a 104-key Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels in Manesar, Gurugram, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region (NCR). The upcoming premium hotel will cater to business and leisure travellers, while also offering facilities for weddings, conferences and social gatherings.

Developed as part of ITCHL's asset-right growth strategy, the hotel will feature elegantly designed rooms and suites, along with an all-day dining restaurant, bar, lounge and recreational spaces. It will also offer over 18,000 sq. ft. of indoor banqueting space and 22,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space, making it suitable for weddings, exhibitions, conferences and large social events.

Speaking on the signing, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, said, “As hospitality demand continues to evolve beyond traditional gateway cities, we remain focused on identifying destinations that offer strong long-term growth potential. Welcomhotel in Manesar is a strategic addition to our portfolio, bringing together a high-growth location, robust connectivity, and a thriving events market. This signing reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class hospitality experiences in emerging destinations while accelerating the growth of our asset-right portfolio."

Sushil Singh Chauhan, Partner, Green Path Prop Mart LLP, said, "We are delighted to work with ITC Hotels Limited for the development of Welcomhotel in Manesar. Together, we aim to deliver a distinguished hospitality experience that will serve both business and leisure travellers while contributing to the continued growth in the National Capital Region."

Located along National Highway 48 in Manesar, Haryana, the hotel will benefit from its connectivity to key economic centres and the scenic surroundings of the Aravalli landscape. Manesar has developed into an important industrial and economic corridor, supported by auto-component manufacturing, warehousing facilities, logistics parks and growing commercial activity.

Its location will help the hotel serve corporate travellers and social event guests from Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad. The area also offers an alternative to busier city locations for weddings, conferences and leisure stays.

Upon completion, Welcomhotel Manesar Gurugram is expected to offer a combination of premium accommodation, wellness facilities, dining options and spacious event venues, further strengthening ITC Hotels Limited's presence in the NCR hospitality market.

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited (SHRL) has expanded its wildlife portfolio with the opening of Sterling Vanyatara Tadoba in Maharashtra's Chimur region. The new wilderness retreat adds Tadoba to the company's growing presence across India's leading wildlife destinations.

Sterling is developing wildlife and nature-based holidays as a distinct leisure category, with resorts across several forest destinations in India. The addition of Tadoba strengthens its presence in Maharashtra and creates more opportunities for travellers to explore different forests, local cultures, regional cuisines and natural landscapes.

The new retreat also brings a wider choice for families looking beyond traditional safari holidays. Along with wildlife experiences, guests can enjoy comfortable stays, nature-led activities, local food and experiences that bring different generations together.

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited (SHRL), said, “India’s forests offer far more than wildlife sightings. Each has its own landscape, ecology, culture and cuisine and therefore a different reason to travel. At Sterling, we see wildlife and nature-led holidays as an increasingly important part of our hospitality portfolio, and we are deliberately building depth in this category.

As Destination Architects, our ambition is to make the forest the experience, not just the safari. Sterling Vanyatara Tadoba strengthens that proposition while creating opportunities to connect destinations such as Pench, Tadoba and Tipeshwar into richer journeys for families and wildlife enthusiasts. Our ambition is not simply to take travellers on more safaris. It is to give them more of India's wilderness to discover.”

Located with access to five safari gates of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Sterling Vanyatara Tadoba is designed as an intimate 18-key wilderness retreat. Its accommodation options include Indulge Rooms with Sit-out, Forest Villas with private lawns and Two-Bedroom Villas offering a mix of shared and private spaces. Guests can also unwind at the swimming pool, spa and outdoor areas between excursions.

The retreat plans to offer experiences beyond safaris through weekly evening storytelling sessions with naturalists, cultural performances by Gond tribe artists and Saoji cuisine showcases by rural communities. These activities aim to introduce guests to the region's cultural traditions alongside its wildlife.

At The Jungle Table, guests can explore Vidarbha's traditional Saoji cuisine, known for its bold and fiery flavours. The menu also features popular street food inspired by Nagpur and Shedgaon, including Zunka Bhakar with Thecha and Pitla sourced from Gond tribal hamlets, alongside Indian and international favourites. Post-safari high teas and private dinners under the stars add to the dining experience.

Guests can plan safari excursions through the Alizanza, Madnapur, Shirkheda, Belara and Shedegaon safari gates, subject to permits.

Ashok L Bhaiyya and Gaurav Bhaiyya, Partners, Sterling Vanyatara Tadoba, said, “What attracted us to Tadoba was the power of the wilderness and the opportunity to create a retreat where the experience continues after guests return from the forest. We wanted space, privacy and a strong sense of place to define the stay. Sterling’s understanding of Indian leisure travel and its ability to build richer journeys especially around the wildlife destinations makes it a natural partner for that vision.”

With existing resorts in Pench and Tipeshwar, Sterling plans to connect these destinations with Tadoba through a Pench–Tadoba–Tipeshwar forest circuit. The initiative will give travellers an opportunity to explore three different wilderness landscapes as part of one journey. Through this expansion, SHRL aims to offer more choices for wildlife enthusiasts and families while strengthening its presence in India's nature-based tourism market.