IHG opens 50th hotel in India with Crowne Plaza Lucknow

Aims to strengthen premium portfolio

IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking its 50th operational hotel in India. According to the company, this development underscores its continued focus on the Indian market.

Marking its 50th operational hotel in India, British multinational hospitality company IHG has opened Crowne Plaza in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. According to the company, this development underscores its ongoing focus on the Indian market, driven by domestic demand and changing traveller preferences.

In a press statement, IHG says that the hotel is located on Lucknow-Sultanpur Road, the city’s IT hub and a cricket stadium. It features 110 rooms, meeting and event facilities covering 3,716 sqm, an all-day restaurant, bar, club lounge, gym and outdoor pool. It is designed to serve both business and leisure guests.

“We are delighted to open our 50th hotel in India. This is a significant milestone that reflects our deep commitment to the country and our confidence in its vibrant travel and hospitality landscape. India remains one of our most strategic markets, globally, and we are excited about the opportunities it presents as we continue to bring our diverse portfolio of brands to more locations. While mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Garner continue to remain our growth drivers in the country, we are strengthening our premium and luxury portfolio with our iconic and well-established brands such as Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and Six Senses,” says Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG.

It adds that it has been expanding across India, with a presence in key business and leisure locations. The company is positioned as one of the fastest-growing hospitality groups in the country.

According to the statement, the British multinational company said that in 2024, it signed 18 new hotels in India. Around 30 pc of these signings were in the premium and luxury segments. The company added that with approximately 70 hotels in the pipeline, it aims to more than double its portfolio in India over the next five years. The pipeline includes five InterContinental hotels, 10 Crowne Plaza hotels, and five Voco properties.

“IHG has a proven track record of delivering strong returns for our owners, in addition to guest satisfaction, owner returns continue to remain a top priority for us in India,” adds Mattar.

“Achieving the 50-hotel milestone in India is a proud moment for us. The opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow further reinforces the relevance and strength of the Crowne Plaza brand in this market. This opening represents more than just a number, it signifies IHG’s deep-rooted ambitions and robust pipeline in the country. We are committed to accelerating our expansion across brand segments, with several more hotels in the pipeline this year. Our goal is to deepen our presence in high-growth cities and deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across all segments, from mainstream, premium to luxury to domestic and international guests alike,” says Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG.