IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a deal to bring its voco brand to Karjat, a small town in Maharashtra known for its hills and greenery. The company has agreed to a management contract with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd., and the existing property will be converted into voco Karjat. The change is expected to be complete by early 2028, adding more than 200 rooms to IHG’s growing list of properties in India.
Karjat is located in the foothills of the Sahyadri range, about 62 kilometers from Mumbai and 102 kilometers from Pune. That location has made it a popular spot for weekend trips, weddings, and other events for people living in both cities. IHG and Discover Resorts see room for more of that kind of business, including corporate retreats and group travel.
What Guests Can Expect
voco is IHG’s brand for hotels that feel more independent and personal, while still carrying the backing of a large international chain. The idea is to keep some of the individual character of a property while giving it access to IHG’s booking systems, loyalty program, and marketing platform.
Once the conversion is finished, voco Karjat will offer three places to eat, including:
- A 200-seat restaurant open all day
- A 50-seat bar by the pool
- A 150-seat rooftop dining space
Beyond food and drink, the hotel will include a fitness center, a spa, a salon, and a kids’ zone. It will also allow guests to bring pets and will provide parking on site.
Part of a Bigger Push in India
Sudeep Jain, IHG’s Managing Director for South West Asia, said Karjat’s closeness to Mumbai and Pune gives it a real opportunity to capture weekend and event travel. He added, “voco is well suited to a destination like Karjat, where travelers are looking for a premium experience that feels distinctive, relaxed, and connected to the character of the place. We are pleased to partner with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. on this conversion and look forward to bringing voco’s distinctive hospitality to Karjat.”
Naqisa Chaudhary, CEO of Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd., said, “Karjat has strong potential as a premium leisure and events destination, and we see an opportunity to build on the existing property and create a differentiated hospitality experience.”
This signing adds to IHG’s expansion in the APAC region, where the company now operates 53 hotels under 7 brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Six Senses, and Holiday Inn Express. Another 110 hotels are in the pipeline for the country over the next three to five years. voco itself has grown quickly since launching, reaching 100 open hotels worldwide within 7 years.
The Karjat project is one more example of IHG working with existing property owners to convert their hotels into recognized brands, rather than building from scratch. For Discover Resorts Neral, the deal is a shift toward branded hospitality in a market that has so far relied mostly on independent operators.
