IHG Hotels & Resorts has achieved a major milestone in India with the grand opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking its 50th operational hotel in the country. This significant development reinforces IHG’s strong growth trajectory and deep commitment to the Indian hospitality market, driven by rising domestic travel demand and a growing preference for globally renowned hotel experiences.
Strategically located on Lucknow-Sultanpur Road with excellent access to Shahid Path, the city’s IT hub, and the cricket stadium, Crowne Plaza Lucknow is designed to meet the needs of today’s business and leisure travellers. The upscale hotel features 110 elegantly designed rooms, 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, a full-service all-day dining restaurant, a bar, club lounge, gymnasium, and an outdoor pool. With its comprehensive amenities, the hotel is poised to become a prime destination for conferences, weddings, and premium urban getaways in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s capital city.
The opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow reflects the continuing success and evolution of the Crowne Plaza brand, which has been redefining business travel since its inception in 1983. With a focus on productivity and relaxation, the brand’s latest design innovations and guest experience offerings are tailored to the modern “blended travel” segment where guests combine work and leisure in a single trip.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our 50th hotel in India with the launch of Crowne Plaza Lucknow. India is one of our most strategic markets globally, and this milestone is a testament to our expanding footprint and robust pipeline in the region. We are committed to bringing our diverse portfolio to more Indian cities and delivering superior returns to our hotel owners.”
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, added, “This achievement goes beyond numbers it signifies our deep-rooted ambition to grow across brand segments in India. The opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow is a strong indicator of the relevance and appeal of our premium brands, and we look forward to expanding further with several more hotel launches planned this year.”
IHG has been steadily strengthening its position in India’s hospitality sector. In 2024 alone, the company signed 18 new hotel agreements across its portfolio, with nearly 30% of them in the premium and luxury segments. With a pipeline of close to 70 hotels, including five InterContinental, ten Crowne Plaza, and five voco hotels, IHG aims to more than double its footprint in India over the next five years.
Supporting these efforts, Crowne Plaza recently released a white paper titled “Leading the Charge in Blended Travel,” which outlined the shift in traveller behaviour towards combining business and leisure. The study revealed that 33% of Indian travellers have already experienced blended travel the highest among all countries surveyed positioning India as a leader in this emerging trend.
With its modern design, versatile amenities, and participation in the IHG One Rewards loyalty programme, Crowne Plaza Lucknow is perfectly aligned with the evolving expectations of Indian travellers. The hotel is set to play a key role in IHG’s expansion while contributing to the city’s growing status as a premier destination for both business and leisure.
