SAMHI Hotels Limited (SAMHI) has received board approval to acquire a 70 per cent stake in RARE India (RARE), marking SAMHI’s entry into experiential leisure via an asset-light platform. The company expects to finalise definitive agreements by May 2026 and has signed a memorandum of understanding for an affiliation with Marriott International to operate RARE properties under the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy across India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. SAMHI plans to finalise the affiliation after the acquisition is completed.

Founded in 2003, RARE is one of India’s earliest curated experiential hospitality platforms, established by Shobha Rudra. The platform comprises 67 hotels with 990 rooms across more than 15 states in India and has presence in Nepal and Bhutan. The arrangement will allow RARE to evolve into an integrated business-to-consumer distribution and experiential brand while remaining independently operated, preserving its community of heritage property owners and discerning travellers.

The partnership expands SAMHI’s reach to about 100 hotels across owned and affiliated properties and represents its first asset-light leisure investment. SAMHI’s commitment is expected to be Rs470 million (Rs470mn), covering a primary capital infusion into RARE and a limited secondary purchase of shares, with funds directed to management, technology, distribution upgrades and marketing. The structure aims to limit capital exposure while offering long-term upside from distribution expansion and brand strengthening.

Company leadership characterised the acquisition as a strategic adjacency that complements SAMHI’s focus on business and gateway markets without changing its balance sheet strategy. The founder and the RARE team are said to remain committed to responsible tourism and to preserving the curation discipline that differentiates the platform, while Marriott is expected to extend its loyalty ecosystem and global distribution to the curated collection. The company cautioned that forward-looking statements in the release are subject to risks and actual results may differ materially.