Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 51% stake in Brij Hospitality, the owning company of the boutique experiential leisure brand Brij Hotels. Through this acquisition, IHCL will gain ownership of the Brij brand and, in collaboration with its founding promoters, will accelerate the development of the boutique leisure hospitality segment in India.
Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said that India’s hospitality sector is witnessing sustained demand growth driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing preference for experiential leisure. He noted that the transaction builds on IHCL’s existing marketing and distribution alliance with the Clarks Group and marks its evolution into a majority partnership with Brij Hotels—an early entrant in India’s boutique leisure space.
With this acquisition, IHCL further consolidates its leadership in leisure tourism across cultural, spiritual, and wildlife destinations. Brij Hotels’ presence in offbeat locations adds diversity to IHCL’s portfolio, with properties across Jaipur, Varanasi, Ranthambore, the northern hills, the North East and Goa, among others. The transaction expands IHCL’s portfolio to 610 hotels, with 253 properties in the pipeline, keeping the company firmly on track to achieve its Accelerate 2030 target of 700 hotels.
Brij Hotels is a collection of boutique luxury hotels and resorts known for offering immersive, locally rooted experiences. Its portfolio includes destinations such as Varanasi, Jawai, Dalhousie and Jaipur, with the heritage BrijRama Palace, Varanasi—the group’s first hotel—standing as an architectural landmark reflecting the city’s rich cultural legacy.
Welcoming the partnership, Mr. Udit Kumar and Mr. Anant Apurv Kumar, Co-Founders, Brij Hospitality, said that aligning with IHCL will help shape the future of boutique hospitality in India. They added that IHCL’s legacy of presenting Indian hospitality on a global stage aligns strongly with Brij’s philosophy of design-led, experiential stays, creating a pathway to build a globally recognised Indian boutique hospitality brand.
Currently, Brij Hotels operates 22 properties, with 11 hotels in the pipeline, focused on personalised service and distinctive settings.
The acquisition strengthens IHCL’s multi-brand portfolio, which spans luxury, boutique, upscale and lean-luxe segments, reinforcing its position as a frontrunner in India’s rapidly evolving hospitality landscape.
