Between Hyatt and Marriott in India, while Marriott’s focus is now on continuing to stay as India’s largest hotel chain, Hyatt continues to expand its footprint in a slow and steady manner. So, expect to see many more hotel openings in India by Hyatt Hotels India in the coming months and years. Last year, Hyatt only opened one notable hotel, which was the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty.

Hyatt expects that 2019 will mark record growth for Hyatt in India. Expansion plans foresee the addition of over 2,100 guestrooms through the opening of more than 14 new properties over the next 24 months. Aside from growth in the larger capital cities, the emphasis will be on leisure and cultural destinations, with a focus on emerging cities within India. This expansion includes hotels in eight new markets in the country, thereby establishing Hyatt’s brand presence across 27 cities in India over the next 24 months.

This year’s expansion began with the introduction of the Hyatt Centric brand through the opening of Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa. New to the Hyatt portfolio as part of the Two Roads Hospitality acquisition in November 2018, the Alila brand also added two new properties in India, located in Diwa Goa and Fort Bishangarh.

Later in the year, Hyatt plans to expand its brand footprint in Kerala with the opening of Hyatt Regency Kochi Malayattoor, a resort property on the banks of the Periyar river, and Hyatt Regency Thrissur, providing travellers with the first premium hotel in Thrissur. Hyatt also plans to add its first resort in The Himalayas with the anticipated opening of Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort in the second half of 2019. Gurgaon will also be in focus in later 2019, with the scheduled opening of Grand Hyatt Gurgaon.

Here are some of the planned openings:

• Hyatt Regency Kochi Malayattoor (Q2 2019)
• Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort (Q3 2019)
• Hyatt Regency Thrissur (Q3 2019)
• Grand Hyatt Gurgaon (Q4 2019)
• Hyatt Place Bangalore Urbana (Q3 2019)

• Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar
• Hyatt Regency Dehradun
• Hyatt Place Vadodara
• Hyatt Regency Trivandrum
• Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar
• Hyatt Regency Udaipur

Out of all of these hotels, I am definitely looking forward to the launch of the Dharamshala resort, as well as the Gurgaon hotel.

What do you think of Hyatt’s expansion plans in India?