IHCL and Ambuja Neotia Group Sign Landmark Agreement For 15 Hotels across East & Northeast India
From the Sundarbans to Sikkim, the collaboration brings luxury hospitality to India’s most promising untapped destinations. This bold expansion redefines regional tourism and cements IHCL’s leadership alongside Ambuja Neotia Group’s regional dominance.
By SOH Team
The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality firm, today announced a landmark agreement with the Ambuja Neotia Group to develop 15 new hotels across IHCL’s diverse brandscape. This capital-light arrangement expands their partnership to over 40 hotels, marking one of the most significant alliances in the Indian hospitality sector.
Many of these hotels will be in offbeat destinations such as Raichak, Sikkim, Shivpuri, and Lataguri, where they are building branded residences, Rabong in Sikkim, and Sunderbans, famous for Bengal tigers and the mangrove forest areas in the Ganga Delta, besides, of course, popular tourist destinations such as Shimla, Naldehra and Darjeeling.
Commenting on the development, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said: “IHCL’s pioneering legacy of building destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, and the Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands will now extend to unlocking the immense tourism potential of east and northeast India through this partnership. We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with the Ambuja Neotia Group, whose luxury developments celebrate the spirit of the region.”
The agreement underscores IHCL’s continued expansion under an asset-light model, with the new projects—including greenfield, brownfield, and conversion hotels—spread across West Bengal, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh. Key signings include a Taj in Darjeeling, SeleQtions in Kolkata and Siliguri, and a Tree of Life in Lataguri. Several Taj-branded resorts and villas are also planned in Sundarbans, Rabong, Shimla, Gangtok, and Raichak, reflecting the rising demand for premium leisure experiences in emerging destinations.
“This strategic expansion reaffirms IHCL’s commitment to regional development and is a pivotal step in placing east and northeast India on the global tourism map,” Chhatwal added. “It also strengthens IHCL’s position as the undisputed leader in Indian hospitality, with a portfolio unmatched in scale, depth, and diversity.”
IHCL’s pioneering legacy of building destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa and Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands will now extend to unlocking the tourism potential of the East and North East with this agreement. We are delighted to extend our partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group, known for their luxury hospitality developments showcasing the spirit of this region.
Mr. Puneet Chhatwal,
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL
Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, said: “This announcement follows closely on the heels of our strategic alliance for the Tree of Life brand and demonstrates the strength of our partnership. IHCL, with its iconic Taj brand—ranked the World's Strongest Hotel Brand—is ideally positioned to bring global attention to this region’s cultural richness and natural beauty.”
The collaboration between Harsh Neotia's Ambuja Neotia Group and IHCL is a landmark development, particularly for the often-underserved east and northeast regions of India. This strategic alliance has been instrumental in bringing IHCL's brands, especially Taj, to key locations in West Bengal and the northeastern states.
Historically, these regions, while rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, have lacked the robust, high-quality hospitality infrastructure to fully capitalise on their tourism potential. Harsh Neotia's deep regional understanding and Ambuja Neotia Group's strong development capabilities, combined with IHCL's operational excellence, brand recognition, and extensive distribution network, create a powerful synergy.
The northeast, still relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourism, offers immense potential for curated luxury travel. The upcoming Taj villas in Darjeeling, Lataguri, and Gangtok, along with the enhanced room inventory at Taj Chia Kutir in Kurseong, are a clear response to growing demand from high-end travellers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences. By developing properties in diverse locations, from bustling city centres to serene natural retreats, the partnership unlocks new travel segments and diversifies the tourism offerings in the east and northeast.
This development is being seen as a game-changer for Indian hospitality. Not only does it catalyse tourism growth in lesser-developed regions, but it also aligns with India’s broader strategy of regional inclusion and destination-led development. For IHCL, it solidifies its long-term vision of responsible growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional experiences across India and beyond. The new hotels will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities, fostering local businesses, and stimulating regional economies.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of IHCL’s strategic partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group for Tree of Life, reflective of the strength and success of our ongoing collaboration. IHCL with its iconic brand Taj, recently ranked as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand is renowned for its world-class service, enabling it to showcase these destinations on the global tourism map.
Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia,
Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group
Just recently, IHCL announced its Q1 FY2026 results, which revealed that the brand has delivered its 13th consecutive quarter of record performance, with hotel revenues rising 14% to ₹1,814 crores and a robust EBITDA margin of 31.4%. The growth was driven by a diversified revenue mix from same-store performance and new businesses, which saw a 27% year-on-year increase.
The hospitality behemoth has the largest portfolio in India, with over 400 hotels, including 152 under development, across 14 countries and 150+ locations. Its iconic brands—Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, Ginger, Tree of Life, Gateway, and Claridges Collection—offer a blend of warm Indian hospitality and global service excellence. The Taj brand was recently named the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand 2025 and India’s Strongest Brand across all sectors by Brand Finance.
During the quarter, IHCL also signed 12 new hotels, including five Taj properties, notably three luxury wildlife lodges in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, along with additions across its other brands. It also opened six new hotels, including a Taj in Alibaug, two SeleQtions resorts in Lakshadweep, and new Gateway and Ginger properties in Coorg and Dehradun, underscoring its commitment to both domestic and international expansion.
Hot on its heels is the announcement of 15 new hotels, further cementing IHCL’s position as India’s undisputed hospitality leader, Ambuja Neotia’s position as the leader in the eastern and northeastern market, pushing the frontiers of luxury into untapped, off-the-grid destinations.
The Portfolio: IHCL x Ambuja Neotia Group
OPEARTING HOTEL
PIPELINE HOTELS
UPCOMING PORTFOLIO
