IHG Enters Karjat With 200-Plus Room Voco Hotel
The 200-plus-room conversion, scheduled for 2028, will mark IHG’s entry into Karjat’s growing leisure, weddings and MICE market.
By SOH Edit Team
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. for a 200-plus room voco hotel in Karjat, Maharashtra, as the hotel group expands its premium portfolio into drive-to leisure markets around Mumbai.
The existing property is expected to be converted to the voco brand by early 2028.
The signing gives IHG an entry into Karjat, a market that has traditionally drawn weekend leisure traffic but is increasingly attracting destination weddings, corporate offsites and meetings and events business.
Karjat draws hotel interest
Located in the Sahyadri foothills, Karjat is about 62 km from Mumbai and 102 km from Pune. For hotel operators, Karjat offers access to several demand segments. Weekend leisure remains important, but weddings, social functions and corporate retreats can generate sizeable group business for resorts with accommodation, food and beverage and event infrastructure.
IHG's decision to enter the market through an existing property rather than a new-build development also reflects the growing role of conversions in hotel expansion. Under the agreement, Discover Resorts Neral will retain ownership of the asset, while IHG will manage the property under its voco brand.
Conversions allow hotel groups to expand without relying solely on new construction, while owners of independent properties can gain access to international distribution and loyalty networks. The model has been an important part of voco's expansion since its launch. IHG said the brand reached 100 operating hotels globally within seven years.
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said Karjat’s proximity to Mumbai and Pune creates a strong opportunity to serve demand across weekend travel, weddings, celebrations and MICE. “voco is well suited to a destination like Karjat, where travellers are looking for a premium experience that feels distinctive, relaxed and connected to the character of the place,” he said.
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Targeting group business
The planned hotel will have more than 200 rooms and three food and beverage outlets. These will comprise a 200-seat all-day dining restaurant, a 50-seat pool bar and a 150-seat rooftop venue. Other facilities are expected to include a spa, fitness centre, kids' zone, salon, parking and pet-friendly amenities.
The scale of the dining facilities indicates that events and group business are likely to form an important part of the hotel's demand mix alongside transient leisure stays.
Naqisa Chaudhary, CEO, Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd., said the partnership would build on the existing property while creating a differentiated premium hospitality offering. “Our partnership with IHG and the introduction of voco will combine the character of the property with the strength of a globally recognised brand, creating a compelling proposition for travellers, weddings and MICE.”
For IHG, the signing also illustrates the role of conversions in expanding its premium portfolio. Existing hotels can generally be brought into a brand network faster than ground-up developments, although the extent of refurbishment and repositioning required varies by asset.
When it opens as voco Karjat in 2028, the hotel will place IHG in a market serving both Mumbai and Pune and add another internationally branded property to Maharashtra's expanding leisure hospitality landscape.
Property Highlights:
- Three dining venues
- Fitness centre, spa and salon
- Parking facilities
- Pet-friendly amenities & kids’ zone
