Photo of Anjuna Beach, Goa, by Sohan Rayguru on Unsplash.

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed for a trio of new SeleQtions properties over the last month, spread across India.

The latest of the three for the upscale brand is for a conversion in Anjuna, Goa, in a franchise with Guild Hotels Pvt Limited.

Portuguese heritage site

The 150-year-old Portuguese styled heritage building is being transformed into a hotel. The 49-room hotel is located in Anjuna, a coastal village on the Arabian Sea in the south west of the country.

Slated to open in April 2023, the property is a short distance away from the beach as well as popular tourist spots, and will house a specialty restaurant. It will be operated by AM Hotel Kollection under the SeleQtions brand.

Consolidating presence

Suma Venkatesh, executive vice president – real estate and development, IHCL, said: “In line with our strategy of consolidating presence in key lodging markets, IHCL signs its second SeleQtions branded hotel in Goa, one of the best performing markets in India. We are delighted to partner with Guild Hotels for this hotel.”

Bhupinder Singh, director, Guild Hotels, said: “The heritage hotel offers travellers a slice of Goa right here in Anjuna. We are excited to partner with IHCL, India’s leading hospitality company, to bring a unique boutique option for both corporate and leisure guests.”

With the addition of this, IHCL has 12 hotels in Goa including two under development.

Himalayan hideout

Another recent signing is the chain’s second hotel in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh in the foothills of the Himalayas. A franchised hotel in management with Sohum Hotels & Resorts, the operational hotel will be rebranded under the SeleQtions brand, taking IHCL to three hotels across its brands in the state, including two under development.

The three-acre resort in the Kangra Valley will feature an all-day dining restaurant, bar, lounge and alfresco speciality restaurant. Recreational facilities will include a swimming pool and an open gym, making the hotel an idyllic destination for travellers.

Key destinations

IHCL’s Venkatesh commented: “With a strong footprint across India, it is IHCL’s continuous endeavour to expand and strengthen its presence in key tourism destinations. The signing of our first hotel in Dharamshala under the SeleQtions brand will help re-imagine the hospitality landscape, while allowing travellers to immerse themselves in authentic local experiences. We are happy to partner with Sohum Hotels & Resorts for this project.”

Ojas Garg, founder and MD, Sohum Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to partner with IHCL to introduce the SeleQtions brand in Dharamshala, which will further tap its vast tourism potential. With the hotel design weaving together local culture and heritage with modern aesthetics, it will strike a chord with the experiential traveller.”

Rainforest real estate

Completing the trio, another rebrand project has been agreed for Dudhwa, Uttar Pradesh, on the Nepalese border. This site is a franchise with Dudhwa Adventure Resorts Pvt. Ltd, and means that IHCL has 17 hotels in Uttar Pradesh including eight under development.

Nestled in the rainforest of the Terai region of the Himalayas, this property will provide a gateway to three neighbouring forest reserves. The 20-room hotel, set amidst 100-acre fruit orchards, will be operated by AM Hotel Kollection under the SeleQtions brand. It is scheduled to open later this year.

Lesser explored regions

Venkatesh added: “In line with our vision to expand our portfolio to lesser explored destinations, IHCL is stepping into yet another new place within the Terai belt, near the famed Dudhwa National Park. This hotel will provide travellers an opportunity to experience the natural beauty and wilderness of the park. We are delighted to partner with Dudhwa Adventure Resorts.”

Kamaljit and Deepi Singh, owners of Dudhwa Adventure Resorts said: “IHCL, with its legacy of pioneering new destinations, has always accelerated tourism in the regions they step into. This partnership will further leverage the untapped potential of the lesser explored offerings of Dudhwa.”

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