Tuesday, May 27, 2025
IHG Hotels & Resorts, a prominent global hospitality group, has reached a significant achievement in its India expansion journey with the inauguration of Crowne Plaza Lucknow. This opening marks IHG’s fiftieth operational property in the country, underscoring the company’s strategic focus and deep-rooted confidence in the Indian travel and tourism sector. The milestone also highlights India’s dynamic market, driven by an increasing appetite for premium international hospitality experiences.
The debut of Crowne Plaza Lucknow enhances IHG’s upscale hotel offerings in India and represents continued growth for the globally recognized Crowne Plaza brand. Designed for the needs of today’s business and leisure travelers, Crowne Plaza blends contemporary comfort with functionality. Since its debut in 1983 as a trailblazing business hotel brand, Crowne Plaza has been synonymous with innovation, offering progressive hospitality concepts that meet the demands of evolving global travel behaviors. From redesigned guest room layouts to cutting-edge meetings and events experiences, the brand continues to redefine standards with a forward-looking design philosophy.
Ideally positioned along Lucknow-Sultanpur Road with direct access to Shahid Path, Crowne Plaza Lucknow boasts a prime location near the city’s IT corridor and key sports venues, including the cricket stadium. This modern property offers one hundred and ten stylish guest rooms complemented by extensive facilities designed for both corporate and social gatherings. The hotel’s forty thousand square feet of versatile meeting and event space makes it a top choice for MICE events, weddings, and high-end celebrations. Guests can enjoy a vibrant culinary journey at the all-day dining restaurant, unwind at the bar or exclusive club lounge, and recharge at the well-equipped gym or outdoor swimming pool.
Crowne Plaza Lucknow stands as a testament to IHG’s ongoing investment in India’s hospitality sector. By delivering elevated experiences and maintaining a strong pipeline of future developments, IHG is reinforcing its stature as one of the nation’s fastest-growing international hotel operators. The group’s diversified brand portfolio allows it to cater to a wide spectrum of travelers, from business executives to leisure seekers, across Tier 1 and emerging Tier 2 cities.
As the brand celebrates this notable landmark of fifty hotels in operation, IHG’s focus remains on deepening its presence in strategic locations and responding to the country’s growing demand for high-quality, global-standard accommodations. The addition of Crowne Plaza Lucknow not only complements the company’s premium segment but also sets a new benchmark in the region for service excellence and modern luxury.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to open our 50th hotel in India. This is a significant milestone that reflects our deep commitment to the country and our confidence in its vibrant travel and hospitality landscape. India remains one of our most strategic markets, globally, and we are excited about the opportunities it presents as we continue to bring our diverse portfolio of brands to more locations. While mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Garner continue to remain our growth drivers in the country, we are strengthening our premium and luxury portfolio with our iconic and well-established brands such as Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and Six Senses.
He added: IHG has a proven track record of delivering strong returns for our owners – in addition to guest satisfaction, owner returns continue to remain a top priority for us in India.”
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Achieving the 50-hotel milestone in India is a proud moment for us. The opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow further reinforces the relevance and strength of the Crowne Plaza brand in this market. This opening represents more than just a number, it signifies IHG’s deep-rooted ambitions and robust pipeline in the country. We are committed to accelerating our expansion across brand segments, with several more hotels in the pipeline this year. Our goal is to deepen our presence in high-growth cities and deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across all segments, from mainstream, premium to luxury to domestic and international guests alike.”
IHG Strengthens Growth in India with Strategic Hotel Expansions and Blended Travel Insights
IHG Hotels & Resorts is experiencing sustained growth momentum in India, marking a notable year of expansion in 2024. The company confirmed the signing of eighteen new properties under various brands, underscoring its deepening presence in the market. Of these new signings, nearly one-third fall within the premium and luxury categories, reflecting the rising demand for upscale accommodations in the country.
Looking ahead, IHG has outlined an ambitious plan to more than double its footprint in India over the next five years. With a robust development pipeline nearing seventy properties, the hospitality group is positioning itself to capitalize on India’s rapidly expanding tourism sector and increasing appetite for domestic travel. This pipeline includes a healthy concentration of high-end hotels, such as five InterContinental properties, ten under the Crowne Plaza brand, and five voco hotels—all expected to open within the next two to five years.
Earlier in the year, Crowne Plaza published its second white paper titled “Leading the Charge in Blended Travel,” which examined evolving consumer behaviors that merge business and leisure travel. The report spotlighted four key trends shaping this shift: Improve and Grow, Mind-Body Equity, The New Personal Travel Economy, and Intentional Togetherness. The study notably found that India leads the global shift toward blended travel, with thirty-three percent of Indian respondents reporting they had already engaged in such travel experiences—more than any other country surveyed.
The recent debut of Crowne Plaza Lucknow has been designed to align with these emerging trends. The hotel delivers services tailored to modern travelers who blend work with leisure and prioritize wellness, connectivity, and flexibility. As part of the IHG One Rewards loyalty ecosystem, guests at Crowne Plaza Lucknow can also enjoy personalized benefits, premium amenities, and seamless service that reflect IHG’s global hospitality standards.
Through strategic investments, innovative insights, and a strong development pipeline, IHG continues to reinforce its commitment to India as a key market for long-term growth.
