Espire Hospitality Group owns India’s most magnificent luxury resort, Six Senses Fort Barwara in Ranthambore. The company own and operate a mid-market resort chain ‘Country Inn Hotels and Resorts’ and operate a luxury boutique resort brand ‘ZANA – Luxury Escapes’ that is a confluence of luxury and top-notch hospitality. TravelJingles in conversation with Akhil Arora, CEO of Espire Hospitality Group.
Espire Hospitality Group has got a lot of hotels under its kitty. Comment
It has been a thrilling and fulfilling year for us as we have expanded our brand ‘Country Inn Hotels and Resorts’, with the introduction of ‘Country Inn Premier’ and ‘Country Inn Express’ opened five new hotels in Goa, Amritsar, Vrindavan and Udaipur, and signed new hotels in Raipur, Rishikesh, Patkot (Jim Corbett) and Ranthambore. We own India’s most renowned luxury resort, Six Senses Fort Barwara in Ranthambore. We also own and operate a mid-market resort brand, known as Country Inn Hotels and Resorts, which is well-established and highly regarded. We operate nine hotels under this brand in prominent leisure destinations – Dehradun, Bhimtal, Jim Corbett, Goa, Mussoorie, Chail, Amritsar, Vrindavan, and Udaipur. Last year, we successfully launched our luxury boutique resort brand, ZANA Luxury Escapes. Our maiden resort, ZANA Lake Resort, Udaipur, has already captivated guests with its exquisite offerings.
ZANA is one of the luxury hotels of the group. What makes it so special?
ZANA is an ultimate luxury escape – a collection of hand-picked boutique resorts offering transformative holiday experiences. What sets us apart is our blend of old-world charm and highly personalized service with distinctive concepts that create novel experiences within the Indian hospitality landscape. Our first resort, ‘ZANA Lake Resort, Udaipur offers 30 exquisitely designed rooms with inspiring experiences, nourishing cuisine, and a unique service philosophy that can only be defined as the ‘ZANA Way.
Tell us about the luxury and mid-luxury hotels. Who are your target audiences?
All our brands are unique to themselves and offer a distinctive experience for avid travellers. Six Senses is a world-renowned high-end premium luxury brand. Located in Sawāi Mādhopur. It is the highest ARR hotel in the country. ZANA Luxury Escapes is the newest addition to our portfolio. Our maiden resort under this brand, ‘ZANA Lake Resort, Udaipur’ nestled on the banks of stunning Udai Sagar Lake, with a unique service philosophy defined as the ‘ZANA way’. Country Inn Hotel and Resorts is our mid-segment resort brand. These resorts are strategically located in destinations that are best suited for adventure, discovery, and at the places that inspire the soul. Our guests connect with their loved ones and create memories through meaningful experiences.
Tell us about the Espire group’s expansion plans for the future?
As we strive to strengthen our brands, this year holds immense significance. Our strategy involves expanding our presence across. On 1st April, 2023, we opened two resorts in high-demand markets – ‘Country Inn Premier, Pacific Resort, Mussoorie’ and ‘Country Inn Maple Resort, Chail’. In August, we are opening a ‘Country Inn Premier’ hotel in Dehradun and ‘ZANA Forest Resort’ in Ranthambore. We have plans to unveil hotels and resorts across our brands in prominent locations like Rishikesh, Jim Corbett and Kasauli in the coming months. Our target is to have 20 hotels and resorts under our umbrella by mid-2024.
Which is you favourite property in the world (apart from your own) and why?
I enjoy staying at ‘The Peninsula Hong Kong’ for its classical, legendry architecture and exceptional hospitality. I am an ardent hotelier and while staying at this hotel, I see the passion of team members for their calling and brilliant knowledge of their city which charms me. Every time I stay at this hotel, I experience a timeless elegance that remains unmatched.