Marriott International has signed a significant seven-hotel development agreement with India-based Ventive Hospitality, marking a continued push into key South Asian markets. The deal, totalling 1,548 rooms across five of Marriott’s brands, includes several brand firsts and highlights Marriott’s growing confidence in the subcontinent’s long-term demand for high-end and lifestyle-driven hospitality.
Among the most notable announcements is the introduction of Ritz-Carlton Reserve to Sri Lanka, set to open in Pottuvil. The ultra-luxury resort, positioned between a lagoon and the Indian Ocean, is expected to feature 73 private villas, a marine and wildlife centre, and bespoke cultural excursions. This marks the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Sri Lanka and underscores Marriott’s ambitions in the country’s premium tourism space.
India will see five of the seven properties open under this agreement, including new presences for Marriott Hotels in Varanasi and Courtyard by Marriott in Mundra – both firsts for these brands in their respective locations. In Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, the new Marriott will offer 161 rooms and a full-service spa, just minutes from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
The agreement also includes two new Moxy Hotels in Pune and a second Moxy in Mumbai, where it will co-exist with a JW Marriott in a dual-branded property. Moxy Pune Kharadi and Moxy Pune Wakad aim to cater to the next generation of Indian business and leisure travellers, combining industrial design with vibrant, social environments.
The largest hotel under the deal will be JW Marriott Navi Mumbai, with 450 rooms and over 2,000m2 of event space, located just 10km from the city’s upcoming international airport. The project aligns with Marriott’s focus on wellness-led design and premium F&B offerings in India’s key commercial hubs.
“Our growth strategy focuses on being present wherever our guests are looking to travel. We are thrilled to work with Panchshil Realty and Ventive Hospitality, as we continue to meet the growing demand for luxury travel experiences and world-class hospitality services”, remarked Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “We are especially excited to have signed a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which is expected to mark the brand’s debut in Sri Lanka.”
Ventive Hospitality, a unit of real estate group Panchshil Realty, has stated the signing sets the tone for an aggressive growth phase as it embarks on its first full financial year post-listing. Atul Chordia, chairman of Ventive Hospitality, described the deal as “pivotal” for expanding beyond Pune and Bengaluru and into new regional markets.
The partnership also highlights the trend of dual-branded hotels and Marriott’s growing interest in second-tier cities and lifestyle segments. With all seven properties slated to open by 2030, the deal reinforces Marriott’s ambition to remain the dominant international player in India’s high-growth hospitality sector.
