IHG Hotels & Resorts signs Garner Hotel Jagdalpur with United Hospitality Management, marking entry into Chhattisgarh’s growing Bastar region

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement for Garner Hotel Jagdalpur, marking the brand’s entry into the state of Chhattisgarh. The 117-key hotel will be developed by Freedom Hospitality and managed by United Hospitality Management (UHM), one of IHG’s trusted third-party management companies in India.

IHG’s newest midscale conversion brand, Garner™, builds on the company’s strength in the essentials segment, offering quality stays at an accessible price point. Designed to deliver a relaxed and flexible guest experience, the brand caters to value-conscious travellers seeking dependable comfort supported by IHG’s global enterprise systems.

Located in Jagdalpur in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh and set to open in 2029, the hotel is well positioned to benefit from the city’s accelerating economic momentum. This growth is being driven by ongoing infrastructure development, mining activity and the expansion of small and medium enterprises, supported by favourable government initiatives.

Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “Garner’s growth trajectory in India continues to be strong as we expand into emerging markets with high potential and our partnership with United Hospitality Management further strengthens our ability to scale the brand in these markets. Jagdalpur represents an important entry point into Chhattisgarh’s developing Bastar region, where infrastructure investment and economic diversification are creating new opportunities for quality accommodation. Garner’s efficient and flexible model combined with UHM’s strong local operational expertise, enables us to partner with owners to unlock this potential while delivering long-term value.”

Deepika Arora, Managing Director, United Hospitality Management (UHM), India commented, “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts with the signing of Garner Hotel Jagdalpur, a project that reflects the growing maturity of demand in India’s emerging destinations. At United Hospitality Management, our focus is on unlocking the full potential of such markets through a combination of operational discipline, local market insight, and brand-aligned execution. Garner’s conversion-friendly, scalable model is particularly well suited to these environments, enabling us to deliver consistent guest experiences while optimising asset performance. As we expand our Garner portfolio, we remain committed to building high-performing hotels that create long-term value for owners and resonate with the evolving needs of today’s value-conscious traveller.”

Bakhtyaar Khan, Managing Partner, Freedom Hospitality, said: “We are delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to introduce Garner to Jagdalpur. The region’s evolving economic landscape and growing demand for quality accommodation present a compelling opportunity. With IHG’s global expertise and the strong proposition of the Garner brand, we are confident the hotel will become a preferred choice for travellers while delivering strong returns for us.”

Garner’s continued expansion across India reflects IHG’s commitment to unlocking growth in the country’s dynamic emerging cities, where demand for branded, high-quality hospitality continues to outpace supply.

IHG® currently has 51 hotels operating across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, voco™ Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 89 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (tickers: LON:IHG for Ordinary Shares; NYSE: IHG for ADRs) is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 21 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 160 million members, IHG has more than one million rooms across 7,000 hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of a further 2,300 properties.

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United Hospitality Management (UHM) is a global leader in hospitality asset development, operationalisation, and management, with over 30 years of luxury expertise and more than USD 1 billion in assets under management. The group’s extensive portfolio includes partnerships with world-class brands such as IHG, Marriott, Accor, Hyatt, Wyndham, and Yotel, alongside Bespoke Residences and Holiday Homes. UHM recently expanded its global footprint by entering the Indian market through the acquisition of Rosastays, adding 17 operational holiday homes across the country’s key leisure destinations.

Beyond core hotel management, UHM owns and operates a comprehensive lifestyle ecosystem dedicated to amplifying asset value in the hospitality industry. This includes over 20 specialty food and beverage brands, a dedicated wellness division led by its award-winning brand, ‘Serenity – The Art of Well Being’, its sub-brands ‘Pure by Serenity’ and ‘Active by Serenity’. These brands offer a holistic suite of world-class spa treatments, fitness facilities, non-invasive beauty therapies, and exclusive dining concepts, all defined by innovation and exceptional service.

With a legacy spanning Europe, Middle East and India, UHM has built a reputation for operational rigour, distinguished leadership, and strong industry relationships. By consistently developing winning hospitality concepts and maintaining a commitment to excellence, UHM remains a preferred partner for owners and investors worldwide.

For more information, visit unitedhospitality.com.