Tuesday, May 27, 2025
IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in the hospitality industry, has celebrated a major achievement in India by launching Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking its 50th hotel operation in the country. This milestone highlights IHG’s strong dedication to the Indian market, driven by rising domestic demand and a growing appetite for premium hospitality experiences.
The debut of Crowne Plaza Lucknow enhances IHG’s upscale presence in India and reflects the ongoing success of the Crowne Plaza brand, which is designed to serve today’s business and leisure travelers who seek a seamless mix of efficiency and relaxation. Since introducing its first business-class hotel in 1983, Crowne Plaza has consistently pushed boundaries, embracing innovation to meet the changing expectations of guests worldwide. With features like thoughtfully designed guest room layouts and reinvented meeting and event spaces, Crowne Plaza stays at the forefront of hospitality trends, delivering a fresh, modern atmosphere and elevated guest experience.
Strategically positioned on Lucknow-Sultanpur Road, the hotel offers convenient connectivity to Shahid Path, the city’s emerging IT corridor, and the cricket stadium, making it an attractive choice for both business and leisure visitors. Crowne Plaza Lucknow boasts 110 stylish rooms, extensive meeting and event facilities covering 40,000 square feet, perfect for corporate functions, social gatherings, and weddings. Guests can also enjoy an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a club lounge, a fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool, creating a comprehensive urban retreat.
With its diverse brand portfolio and strong development pipeline, IHG continues to grow its presence across India’s key business and leisure hubs, reinforcing its status as one of the country’s fastest expanding hospitality groups.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts,
said: “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.
He added: 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.”
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said:
“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.”
IHG is experiencing strong growth momentum in India’s hospitality sector. In 2024 alone, the company signed agreements for eighteen new hotels spanning its diverse brand portfolio. Nearly thirty percent of these new signings fall within the premium and luxury categories, reflecting rising demand for upscale accommodations in the country. With close to seventy hotels currently under development, IHG plans to more than double its Indian presence within the next five years, capitalizing on rapid travel growth and increasing domestic tourism. The pipeline prominently features luxury and premium properties, including five upcoming InterContinental hotels, ten Crowne Plaza locations, and five voco hotels scheduled to open over the next two to five years.
Earlier this year, Crowne Plaza published its second white paper titled “Leading the Charge in Blended Travel,” which explored a growing trend of travelers blending work and leisure in their trips. The report highlighted four key trends: Improve and Grow, Mind-Body Equity, The New Personal Travel Economy, and Intentional Togetherness. Importantly, the study found that thirty-three percent of Indian travelers have already embraced blended travel—the highest proportion among the countries surveyed—underscoring India’s pioneering role in this evolving travel behavior.
The opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow reflects these findings by delivering tailored amenities and services designed for today’s traveler, who values both comfort and exceptional service, all supported by the benefits of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program.
