IHCL Expands with ANK, Pride & Brij Hospitality Deals

The Indian Hotels Company has announced a strategic expansion through definitive agreements to acquire a controlling stake in ANK Hotels and Pride Hospitality, and a distribution agreement with Brij Hospitality.

This move strengthens IHCL’s leadership in the midscale and boutique luxury segments, adding significantly to its nationwide portfolio. Promoters of these companies belong to the esteemed Clarks Hotels family, bringing decades of hospitality expertise. With this acquisition, IHCL’s portfolio expands to over 550 hotels, doubling its midscale presence with 240+ properties under the Ginger and other brands, targeting the growing needs of aspirational travellers.

Key Highlights

• IHCL adds over 240 midscale hotels under Ginger via ANK & Pride acquisition
• Brij Hospitality partnership strengthens boutique luxury segment presence
• Expansion aligns with IHCL’s ‘Accelerate 2030’ tourism growth roadmap

Speaking on the milestone occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “India’s hospitality sector has witnessed sustained demand momentum over last three consecutive fiscal years, reflective of the country’s growing economic prominence and rising discretionary spends. The outlook for the sector remains buoyant as demand outpaces supply and India continues to be an under-served hospitality market especially in the mid-market segment.”

“Our partnership with ANK, Pride and Brij Hospitality is a multi-pronged approach addressing India’s heterogenous market landscape and is in line with IHCL’s five-year road map ‘Accelerate 2030’ of unlocking India’s tourism potential,” he stated.

Ankur Dalwani, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, IHCL, said, “IHCL will fund this investment through internal accruals given our strong cash flows. The primary investment in the companies will be used for unlocking value in the existing assets and for fuelling future growth opportunities.”

Anoop Kumar, Founder of ANK Hotels said, “It is with great enthusiasm, that we move forward towards new vistas with India’s largest hotel group. Our forefathers, who sowed the seeds of the hospitality sector in India in 1947, will be proud.”

Aryavir Kumar, Promoter of ANK Hotels, said, “Combining over 200 years of collective hospitality legacy, we come together with IHCL, part of the iconic Tata Group. Together, we are a powerhouse of energy with a shared vision for growth and transformation. This is more than a partnership — it is a union of legacies, ready to inspire the future.”

Anant Apurv Kumar and Udit Kumar Founders of Brij Hotels and Promoters of Clarks Group of Hotels, jointly said, “Together with IHCL, we carry forward the shared vision of our respective founders, Jamshed Ji Tata and Babu Brijpal Das Ji, in shaping and propelling India’s tourism journey. IHCL’s legacy of showcasing Indian hospitality to the world resonates deeply with our core objective at Brij Hotels – to immerse travellers in the authentic spirit of India’s most storied destinations. Together, we will blend IHCL’s century-old tradition of excellence with our experiential approach, creating journeys that honour our shared heritage, nurture local communities, and reveal to the world the India that we love in its most beautiful and timeless form. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Vijay Thacker from Horwath HTL for helping facilitate this strategic alliance.”

Also Read: IHCL Expands in North East India with New Taj Properties

ANK Hotels and Pride Hospitality operate 135 hotels across 110 locations under The Clarks Hotels & Resorts banner, which will be integrated into IHCL’s brandscape—primarily under Ginger—over the coming months. These assets follow a capital-light model with management contracts and select operating leases.

Brij Hospitality, with 19 boutique luxury hotels in culturally rich and heritage locations, will enhance IHCL’s experiential leisure offerings.