IHG to open 2 hotels in Bengaluru, India

IHG has signed an agreement with Hotel Paraag in Bengaluru, India (also known as Bangalore) for two hotels: the new-build InterContinental Bengaluru Whitefield and the Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Raj Bhavan Road, a conversion hotel. Both hotels are expected to be open by Q1 2022 and will increase IHG’s system size in India by more than 400 rooms.

The development will be the InterContinental brand's debut in Bengaluru. The InterContinental Bengaluru Whitefield will be the third InterContinental-branded hotel in India, joining InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort and InterContinental Marine Drive in Mumbai, and the sixth signed or owned for the region. The property will have 265 guestrooms in the city's Whitefield neighborhood, along with several dining options, event space and a large lawn for outdoor functions.

Following "extensive renovation and upgrades" to the existing property, the Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Raj Bhavan Road will have 140 guestrooms when it opens in 2022. Located in the city's business and commercial district, the hotel is poised to attract business travelers. The property will have meeting spaces, a business center and a pool. 

Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, VP of development, South West Asia for IHG noted that Bengaluru hosts a range of conferences and seminars that attract global business visitors in large numbers. "We therefore see great potential in this market for our brand, Crowne Plaza, which is known to offer business-ready services to corporate guests and excellent [meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition] facilities," he said in a statement. "With 11 open hotels in SWA and seven in the pipeline, the brand is gaining popularity in the region."

As of the end of Q1, IHG had 36 hotels operating across four brands in India and 41 hotels due to open in the next two to three years.