A RETREAT FROM THE ORDINARY

The soul of Indian hospitality is being rewritten, shaped by shifting aspirations, technology, sustainability, and above all, a new kind of guest.

- Sandeep Arora Director, Spiritual Luxury Living

I still remember my first experience of Indian luxury hospitality: grand lobbies, white-gloved service, and sprawling buffets in five-star hotels across Delhi and Mumbai.

The look and feel; consistent, conformist, almost cookie cutter. Luxury meant opulence, scale, and an international vibe. However, as I travel across India today—from Surat to Rishikesh, from Dehradun to Rajkot—I see an entirely different story unfolding. Travel is no longer discretionary; it has become an essential expression of lifestyle. Today’s guest doesn’t just want a comfortable room. They want stories, connections, and meaning. They want hotels that reflect their values—eco-conscious practices, authentic cultural experience, and wellness at the core.

Today, India’s hospitality industry stands at an inflection point. After years of cautious growth, the sector is experiencing a renaissance, fuelled by shifting consumer preferences, rising disposable incomes, and a stronger appetite for experiences. Data from Hotelivate shows occupancy levels hitting record highs and average room rates climbing steadily. IHCL's called 2024 “a record year,” while Hotelivate reported that the sector “had its highest ever occupancy and average rate.” According to Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL: “As one of the fastest-growing major economies poised to become the world’s third-largest, India presents a favourable environment for sustained growth in the hospitality sector. The limited supply addition in the top ten lodging markets, increasing inbound coupled with substantial infrastructure development in the country is expected to continue the demand buoyancy the sector is experiencing.