IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. to bring its voco brand to Karjat, Maharashtra, India. The hotel will be a conversion project expected to turn into voco Karjat by early 2028, adding more than 200 rooms to IHG’s portfolio.
Karjat is located in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain range and is approximately 62 kilometers from Mumbai and 102 kilometers from Pune, India. The destination is positioned for leisure and weekend travel as well as destination weddings, social celebrations and MICE retreats.
voco Karjat will include more than 200 rooms and three dining outlets. These will comprise a 200-seat all-day dining restaurant, a 50-seat pool bar and a 150-seat rooftop offering. The property will also have a fitness center, spa, parking facilities, pet-friendly amenities, a kids’ zone and salon.
“Karjat is emerging as an exciting leisure market in Maharashtra, with its proximity to Mumbai and Pune creating a strong opportunity to serve the growing demand for weekend travel, weddings, celebrations and MICE,” said Sudeep Jain, managing director of South West Asia of IHG Hotels & Resorts. “At IHG, our approach is to bring the right brands to the right markets, while working closely with owners to build new hotels or unlock the potential of existing assets and create compelling propositions for guests. voco is well suited to a destination like Karjat, where travelers are looking for a premium experience that feels distinctive, relaxed and connected to the character of the place. We are pleased to partner with Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. on this conversion and look forward to bringing voco’s distinctive hospitality to Karjat.”
“Karjat has strong potential as a premium leisure and events destination, and we see an opportunity to build on the existing property and create a differentiated hospitality experience,” said Naqisa Chaudhary, CEO of Discover Resorts Neral Pvt. Ltd. “Our partnership with IHG and the introduction of voco will combine the character of the property with the strength of a globally recognized brand, creating a compelling proposition for travellers, weddings and MICE.”
The signing forms part of IHG’s strategy to expand its premium portfolio through new-build developments and conversions. The voco brand has reached 100 open hotels globally within seven years of its launch, supported by its conversion model.