InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which currently has 30 operating hotels across four brands in India with a further 33 in the development pipeline, has partnered with SAMHI to rebrand approximately 2000 rooms (operating and under construction) within its India hotel portfolio, to Holiday Inn Express hotels.
The recently signed portfolio comprises 14 hotels, including ten open hotels across key cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The additional four hotels are under construction. The signing sees IHG grow its pipeline to 41 hotels, positioning IHG as one of the largest players in India’s growing midscale hotel market.
All hotels in the portfolio will be closed while they are being refurbished and upgraded with the latest design directives, to ensure the portfolio is fully representative of the Holiday Inn Express brand globally. The hotels will feature the next-generation design, several additional public areas and feature brand hallmarks to enhance guest service delivery.
Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Vice President, Development, South West Asia, IHG said: “With this signing, we now have close to 60 hotels open and in the pipeline, across the Holiday Inn Brand Family. SAMHI is keen to accelerate Holiday Inn Express’ highly efficient operating model and engage the brand’s growing familiarity in the country. Holiday Inn Express is the rest and go hotel brand that delivers a smarter travel experience by providing more where it matters most. The brand in combination with IHG’s strong distribution systems, preferred brands, top revenue management tools, best in class loyalty program, and constant focus on training and empowering employees, will ensure our joint success.”
Ashish Jakhanwala, MD & CEO, SAMHI said: “We are delighted to be partnering with IHG and bringing their world class Holiday Inn Express brand into our business portfolio. We look forward to working with IHG to develop the brand further and create an excellent offering for our domestic as well as international guests across Tier 1 cities in India, where there has been a noteworthy increase in demand for quality accommodation in mid-segment.”
