Restaurant India News: IHG Signs 140-Key voco Udaipur, Expands Premium Portfolio in India

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Circle View Estate Private Ltd to develop voco Udaipur, marking another step in the group's premium expansion strategy in India. Scheduled to open in Q1 2029, the 140-key hotel will strengthen IHG's presence in Rajasthan while expanding the footprint of its fast-growing premium brand, voco, in the country.

Located at the foothills of the Aravalli range overlooking Udaipur, the hotel is expected to cater to demand from both leisure and business travellers. Udaipur has emerged as a key hospitality market due to its popularity among domestic and international tourists, alongside growing demand generated by weddings, meetings, and events.

The upcoming property will feature 140 guestrooms and suites, two dining venues including an all-day dining restaurant and a bar, meeting and event facilities, a swimming pool, fitness centre, and spa. The development reflects the increasing focus of global hotel operators on expanding in high-demand leisure destinations with diversified revenue opportunities.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, "India is a strategically important market for IHG globally, and we continue to strengthen our portfolio in destinations where we see long-term demand and strong owner interest. Udaipur is one of the country's most recognised leisure destinations, with a well-established appeal across domestic travel, weddings and events, making it a compelling market for premium brand growth. As our fastest-growing premium brand globally, voco continues to resonate with guests through its individual character, thoughtful touches and unstuffy approach to hospitality, while offering owners the confidence of IHG's global enterprise systems and commercial expertise. We are delighted to partner with Circle View Estate Private Ltd to bring voco to Udaipur and further strengthen our premium portfolio in Rajasthan."

Nakul Karnawat, Director, Circle View Estate Private Ltd, added, "We are pleased to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to introduce voco to Udaipur. voco's unique brand personality, combined with IHG's global enterprise systems, commercial expertise and strong brand reputation, makes it an ideal fit for this market. We are confident the hotel will become a preferred choice for travellers seeking a premium and memorable stay experience in Udaipur."

The agreement comes as IHG continues to scale its operations in India through asset-light partnerships and management contracts. Industry observers note that premium hospitality brands are increasingly targeting leisure-driven markets such as Udaipur, where demand is supported by destination weddings, experiential travel, and a rising preference for branded accommodations.

IHG currently operates 52 hotels across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort, and Holiday Inn Express. The company also has a pipeline of 98 hotels expected to open over the next 3-5 years, underlining its long-term commitment to the Indian hospitality market.