Sant Chatwal sets sights on Bangalore

For New York-based hotelier, Sant Chatwal, Bangalore appears to be the most preferred destination. In the next five years, the Chatwal Hotels & Resorts Group is planning to open 52 hotels in India by investing `2,000 crore, coming from internal accruals.

“Bangalore, being the Silicon Valley of India, is an important city for us. We want to give our services to people who come here. We want to be the largest lifestyle hotel chain in the world in the next five years,” he said.

The group is looking to target customers between ages 23 and 52. As a city that has many MNCs, Bangalore is an ideal market to tap into the steady influx of travellers.

“We will be partnering with the Wyndham Group and the developer,” said Chatwal, chairman and CEO of Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, adding that the group will continue to be involved in all aspects of construction, planning, and design of the hotels.

The hotel giants have already signed deals with 18 hotels, two of which will be set up in Bangalore. Of the 52 hotels in the pipeline, 40 will operate under the ‘Night’ brand and 12 under the ‘Dream’ brand.

“We have created a niche for ourselves. International travellers look for something refreshing, which is what ‘Night’ and ‘Dream’ offers,” said Vikram Chatwal, founder, Vikram Chatwal Hotels & Resorts.

Elaborating on the Bangalore plans, he said that the property will be located between the city and the international airport.