Restaurant India News: Hilton and Olive Hospitality Sign 10 Spark Hotels in India, Expand Midscale Presence

Hilton has partnered with Olive Hospitality to sign its first 10 Spark by Hilton hotels in India, marking an early milestone in the brand’s expansion into the country’s mid-market segment. The development follows a strategic agreement signed in 2024 to sign and open 150 Spark by Hilton franchised hotels nationwide.

The upcoming properties are planned across business and leisure locations including Bengaluru, Goa, Jaipur, Nashik, Mathura, Pune, Rajkot, and Hyderabad. The expansion reflects Hilton’s focus on extending its footprint beyond metro markets into emerging cities where improving infrastructure, increased travel, and growing commercial activity are driving demand for branded, midscale accommodation.

Clarence Tan, senior vice president, development, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “These signings demonstrate our belief in India’s hugely untapped mid-market segment and allow us a great opportunity to bring a wider network of new owners and guests into the Hilton ecosystem. We are targeting a mix of metro and non-metro locations to debut these hotels that will provide a new level of hospitality to India’s emerging domestic traveler”.

Spark by Hilton properties in India will operate on a standardized model focused on functional design and consistent service delivery. Public areas will include flexible seating formats such as communal tables and casual seating options to support multiple guest needs, including dining, working, and social interaction. The brand will offer complimentary breakfast with local menu options and a 24-hour retail market aimed at transit and short-stay travellers.

Andrew Ling, regional head, focused service and all-suites brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “Spark by Hilton was created to bring the hallmark reliability of Hilton to a new generation of travelers who value quality, comfort and consistency at an accessible price point. As the brand takes root in India, our focus is on delivering the core Spark experience of thoughtful simplicity and elevated essentials, while adapting meaningfully to local preferences.”

Kahraman Yigit, Co-founder and CEO, Olive Hospitality, said, “What makes India unique is the diversity of its markets, and the need for a model that can scale across them without losing consistency. Crossing 10 signings is an important milestone and sets the tone for the pace of growth we are building together. With these first signings, we are building a pipeline designed for speed, reliability and long-term owner value. Our approach is centred on enabling efficient conversions, allowing owners to enter the branded ecosystem seamlessly while delivering a high-quality experience for guests from day one.”

The new signings add to Hilton’s broader growth strategy in India’s midscale segment. The company has also entered into agreements with NILE Hospitality for 75 Hampton by Hilton hotels and Royal Orchid Hotels for 125 additional Hampton properties. Combined with its existing pipeline, Hilton is targeting more than 400 operational hotels in India over the coming years.

Spark by Hilton hotels will be integrated into the Hilton Honors loyalty programme, which spans 27 hotel brands globally. Members booking through Hilton’s direct channels will have access to benefits such as flexible payment options, member-only discounts, standard Wi-Fi, and digital services including check-in, room selection, and Digital Key through the mobile application.