Luxury hotel chain Raffles plans business expansion in India

29 Sep 2021 CW Team

Luxury hotel chain Raffles is planning major business expansion across India through mixed-use properties and ephemeral spaces, in addition to resorts and retreat-like hotels.

Stephen Alden, Chief Executive Officer of Raffles & Orient Express, Accor Group, told the media that India is an important market for both Raffles and Accor concerning the potential of long-term growth. They would like resort and retreat-like properties in India.

Additionally, mixed-use properties between residential, suites, workspaces, health and wellbeing. They have a team looking at ephemeral spaces, multidisciplinary galleries.

Raffles has 16 hotels worldwide. In India, it started a luxury hotel in Udaipur in August. Raffles is acknowledged for its different ideas across the world.

It has managed to transform palaces and old war rooms into residences and hotel suites. Its umbrella of spaces covers hybrid hotels, residencies, suites, resorts, mixed-use hotels and ephemeral spaces.

Every hotel is different and has been converted into a landmark for the said location. For example, in August 2021, Raffles started its first palatial resort on a 21-acre private island in the heart of Udai Sagar lake in Udaipur. It is also ready to begin its second palace conversion in Jaipur shortly.

The CEO said that they have achieved a 10-15% higher occupancy than anticipated. They are confident that with the start of the festival period, bookings would be robust. Another example of a unique transformation is its recent project with the Hinduja Group – the Old War Office (OWO) building in London has been converted into a multi-hundred-room hotel and residences.

When asked if the firm sees a potential to transform such properties in India, the CEO said that Raffles would like to explore different types of properties than being stuck with one or two kinds of properties.

Image Source

Also read: BMC to waive off around Rs 41 cr property tax for hotels

Luxury hotel chain Raffles is planning major business expansion across India through mixed-use properties and ephemeral spaces, in addition to resorts and retreat-like hotels. Stephen Alden, Chief Executive Officer of Raffles & Orient Express, Accor Group, told the media that India is an important market for both Raffles and Accor concerning the potential of long-term growth. They would like resort and retreat-like properties in India. Additionally, mixed-use properties between residential, suites, workspaces, health and wellbeing. They have a team looking at ephemeral spaces, multidisciplinary galleries. Raffles has 16 hotels worldwide. In India, it started a luxury hotel in Udaipur in August. Raffles is acknowledged for its different ideas across the world. It has managed to transform palaces and old war rooms into residences and hotel suites. Its umbrella of spaces covers hybrid hotels, residencies, suites, resorts, mixed-use hotels and ephemeral spaces. Every hotel is different and has been converted into a landmark for the said location. For example, in August 2021, Raffles started its first palatial resort on a 21-acre private island in the heart of Udai Sagar lake in Udaipur. It is also ready to begin its second palace conversion in Jaipur shortly. The CEO said that they have achieved a 10-15% higher occupancy than anticipated. They are confident that with the start of the festival period, bookings would be robust. Another example of a unique transformation is its recent project with the Hinduja Group – the Old War Office (OWO) building in London has been converted into a multi-hundred-room hotel and residences. When asked if the firm sees a potential to transform such properties in India, the CEO said that Raffles would like to explore different types of properties than being stuck with one or two kinds of properties. Image Source Also read: BMC to waive off around Rs 41 cr property tax for hotels

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..