The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has revealed plans to merge another Indian hospitality business, Oriental Hotels, into its structure.
The all-share proposal will tidy up the group structure, which currently sees IHCL holding just over 37% of Oriental Hotels stock. Currently, Oriental Hotels has seven hotels, three of which it owns freehold, and these will be amalgamated into the Indian Hotels portfolio. The hotels are already operating under IHCL brands, in key destinations across India.
Accelerating Growth, Streamlining Systems
“In line with our Accelerate 2030 strategy of creating value, simplifying the group’s holding structure and unlocking the full potential of OHL portfolio including iconic assets like Taj Coromandel, Chennai, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai and Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Cochin, the Boards of IHCL and OHL have today approved this merger,” commented IHCL managing director Puneet Chhatwal.
Aside from owning interests in the seven Taj, Gateway and Vivanta hotels, Oriental also has interests in a number of other hotel companies, including TAL Hotels and Resorts, Lanka Island Resorts, Taj Madurai and Taj Karnataka Hotels and Resorts.
The group has just opened Taj Palace Lucknow, as it looks to keep its luxury brand to the fore, in its growth plans. The 181 room property is set among extensive grounds, in Gomti Nagar. Also newly opened is Taj Tadoba Resort & Spa, a luxury wildlife oriented retreat in Nagpur.
The Taj brand is also venturing into branded villas. The group has just signed to launch Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Laid out across a 34 acre estate, a development in partnership with the Amavi real estate group will see development of a 100 room Taj resort, plus 34 luxury villas. The destination will also include a Japanese-inspired garden, along with forest walks and nature trails.
In early August 2026, IHCL reorganised internally to create a new Select Service Business, aimed at accelerating growth of its midmarket brands. The new team will concentrate on four brands: Ginger midscale hotels; Tree of Life, a leader in experiential leisure; Ama Stays and Trails; and Qmin, IHCL’s culinary-led brand.
Growing the Ginger and Gateway Brands
Currently the group has over 260 Ginger hotels. The brand recently opened Ginger Siwan in Bihar, and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road in Agra, totalling 100 rooms between them. Both destinations are viewed as high potential new markets for the brand. Latest signings include Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, a conversion of an existing hotel.
The group’s Gateway brand continues to grow. Recent signings include a new property in Raipur, where a 151 room hotel will be developed on a greenfield site by partner KLA Group. The property will be IHCL’s fourth in the destination. Also in the pipeline is the 176 room Gateway Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, one of 33 Indian Hotels across Tamil Nadu either operating or under development.
