Equity International, a private equity firm founded by the late Sam Zell, has completed the sale of its remaining 23.2% stake in SAMHI Hotels Limited, marking a full exit from the Indian hospitality platform. This final divestment, executed on April 29, 2025, follows earlier stake sales made during SAMHI’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in September 2023 and another round in March 2024. Equity International, through its affiliate Blue Chandra Pte. Ltd., was SAMHI’s largest shareholder since its initial investment in 2011.
SAMHI Hotels, which operates a portfolio of 34 hotels (including three under development) across 13 Indian cities, is known for its partnerships with global brands such as Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn Express. The company is listed on both the BSE and NSE under the ticker symbol SAMHI.
Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman and CEO of SAMHI, acknowledged Equity International’s crucial role in the company’s growth, stating the firm’s support was instrumental in scaling SAMHI’s platform. Tom Heneghan, CEO of Equity International, praised Jakhanwala’s leadership and emphasized that the exit is part of Equity International’s disciplined monetization strategy.
This milestone concludes a successful 14-year investment journey that began when Equity International saw strong potential in India’s hospitality sector driven by urbanization and a growing travel economy.
