IHG Hotels & Resorts Marks 50th Hotel in India with Crowne Plaza Lucknow Opening

New Delhi, India: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in the hospitality industry, has reached a major milestone in India with the opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking the company’s 50th operational hotel in the country. This achievement reflects IHG’s strong commitment to the Indian market, supported by robust domestic demand and a rising preference for premium hospitality experiences.

The launch of Crowne Plaza Lucknow further enhances IHG’s premium portfolio in India and highlights the growing presence of the Crowne Plaza brand, which appeals to modern business and leisure travellers by blending productivity with comfort. Since opening its first business-class hotel in 1983, the brand has remained at the forefront of innovation, continually evolving to meet the dynamic needs of global travellers. From enhanced room zoning to reimagined meeting and event spaces, Crowne Plaza continues to exceed guest expectations with its modern design and thoughtful guest experience.

Strategically situated along the Lucknow-Sultanpur Road, with convenient access to Shahid Path, the new IT hub, and the cricket stadium, the hotel is ideally placed for both business and leisure visitors. It features 110 well-designed rooms, 40,000 sq. ft of meeting and event space suitable for conferences and weddings, a full-service all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a club lounge, a gym, and an outdoor swimming pool — making it an attractive destination for upscale city breaks and events.

IHG’s expanding presence in India is supported by a diverse brand portfolio and a strong development pipeline, establishing it as one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the country.

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 continues to experience strong development activity in India. In 2024, the company signed 18 new hotels across its portfolio, with nearly 30% of these in the premium and luxury segments. With around 70 hotels currently in the pipeline, IHG aims to more than double its footprint in India within the next five years, tapping into the booming travel demand and growing domestic tourism. This pipeline includes five InterContinental, ten Crowne Plaza, and five voco hotels expected to open over the next 2–5 years.

Earlier this year, Crowne Plaza published its second white paper, “Leading the Charge in Blended Travel”, identifying key shifts in travel behaviour towards integrating business and leisure. The report spotlighted four key trends: Improve and Grow, Mind-Body Equity, The New Personal Travel Economy, and Intentional Togetherness. Interestingly, the study found that 33% of Indian travellers have already engaged in blended travel, the highest rate among surveyed countries, reaffirming India’s leadership in this evolving travel space.

The opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow aligns seamlessly with these insights, offering world-class amenities and services tailored to the needs of the modern traveller, all backed by the IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.