IHG Signs 50-Key Garner Hotel in Jim Corbett as India Expansion Moves Beyond Metros

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a 50-key Garner Hotel in Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand, in partnership with United Hospitality Management (UHM) India. The hotel is scheduled to open in Q2 2027 and will be owned by Victorian Corporation and managed by UHM India.

Located in Ramnagar, the hotel will be spread across approximately three acres near Jim Corbett National Park. The project adds IHG’s midscale Garner brand to a leisure market that attracts visitors from across North India and is connected by road to major cities in the region.

The signing is part of IHG’s expansion into markets beyond India’s major metros, with the company targeting branded accommodation opportunities in leisure destinations and emerging markets. Garner has reached 100 open hotels worldwide since its launch in 2023.

The 50-key property will include rooms and facilities aimed at travellers visiting Jim Corbett. Garner is IHG’s midscale conversion brand, with its operating model focused on core accommodation requirements and access to IHG’s wider systems and rewards ecosystem.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “Garner’s rapid momentum in India reflects the strong fit between the brand’s proposition and the needs of both owners and travellers in the market. Globally, Garner has become the fastest-scaling brand in IHG’s history and in India we are seeing that momentum translate into growing owner confidence and a strong development pipeline.”

For UHM India, the project expands its involvement in IHG’s hotel portfolio and adds a leisure destination to its development plans.

Deepika Arora, Managing Director, United Hospitality Management-India, said, “At United Hospitality Management, we are focused on building a strong and differentiated hospitality platform in India through strategic partnerships, disciplined growth and a deep understanding of the markets we operate in. Our collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts reflects this approach, bringing together UHM’s local operating expertise and market insight with IHG’s global brands, systems and distribution strength. As we continue to expand our presence across India, including high-potential leisure and emerging markets, our priority is to create consistently high-quality guest experiences while delivering sustainable, long-term value for our ownership partners. Garner Hotel Jim Corbett is an important addition to this growth journey and demonstrates our confidence in the potential of well-positioned destinations beyond the traditional metros.”

Parveen Saraswat, Director, Victorian Corporation, said, “Jim Corbett continues to grow as a year-round wildlife and leisure destination, with increasing demand for reliable, quality accommodation. As traveller expectations evolve, we saw a clear opportunity to bring a trusted international brand to the market. Garner’s distinctive proposition of delivering quality stays at an accessible price point, combined with IHG’s global brand strength and distribution platform, made it the right choice for this project. We are confident the hotel will be well positioned to serve the growing demand for branded hospitality in the region.”

IHG currently has 53 hotels operating across seven brands in India and a pipeline of 110 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years. Its operating brands in the country include Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express.

The Jim Corbett signing adds to IHG’s development pipeline as the company expands its branded hotel presence across leisure destinations, secondary markets and emerging commercial locations in India.