The hotel is due to open in 2026 and will bring an international brand to leisure and business travellers visiting Pakistan in the coming years.
Breadth of facilities
Situated in Lahore, part of the Punjab province, the 220-key hotel is located close to upscale commercial and residential districts frequently visited by leisure and business travellers.
In addition to well-appointed rooms and a breadth of facilities, the hotel will feature a specialty restaurant, a café along with other dining experiences, a fitness centre and a swimming pool. In addition, the hotel will offer branded retail options. Other spaces will include a lobby lounge, a spa, a health club and further recreational facilities.
Travellers on business will have access to MICE facilities with two function rooms, two meeting rooms, business centre and one board room.
Regional commitment
Haitham Mattar, MD, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said: “Pakistan is a beautiful country rich in culture, food and myriad historic and scenic sites that makes it an appealing choice for travellers. In addition to offering a cultural experience, Lahore is the economic hub of Pakistan and is frequented by business travellers as well. On opening, the new Holiday Inn hotel will be the perfect destination for guests with diverse needs to enjoy a world class hospitality experience that the brand is known for.
“This signing is also in line with our commitment to bring quality hospitality options to key markets in the region and we are pleased to bring our leading mainstream brand to Lahore, in line with market demands.”
Mixed-use complex
Joint chairman of Providential Group and Delta Centauri, Tariq Saadat, commented: “Representing a globally well-known brand, powered by the strength of IHG, Holiday Inn Lahore Airport will offer guests the best-in-class international hospitality. The hotel will be a part of a larger development complex, which will include luxury apartments, designer offices and entertainment options such as shopping malls, sports arenas, restaurants, cinemas, indoor theme and more. The project is set to become Lahore’s most premium real estate development.
“This is the first of many hotels across segments that we plan to build in several cities across Pakistan and hope that partnership between IHG and Delta Centauri would grow rapidly over the next few years.”
The company’s other joint chairman, Mian Khurram, added: “We are pleased to partner with one of the world’s leading hospitality companies to bring the Holiday Inn brand to Pakistan. Along with IHG, we are confident that we will be able to provide a comfortable, safe and relaxing stay to our guests in Lahore. We look forward to welcoming our local as well as international business and leisure travellers to experience Pakistan’s hospitality.”
South Asian additions
The Holiday Inn brand currently has over 1,100 hotels in operation around the world.
In the pipeline elsewhere in south Asia are Holiday Inn New Chandigarh in northern India. Located within a 1,000 acre township known as Omaxe New Chandigarh, the hotel will be part of a mixed-use development which includes commercial, retail and residential establishments. The 150-key city hotel will feature function areas, all day dining and specialty restaurants, and other recreational facilities. Delivery is scheduled for Q1 2024.
Just to the south, Holiday Inn Gurgaon NH 8 is taking shape on the NH 8 highway which connects Delhi Airport to Gurgaon. Due for completion in 2025, the hotel will offer 139 rooms, all-day dining and bar, a lobby lounge, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and approximately 400 sq m of meeting and banqueting space.