Accor Opens Novotel Bhubaneswar, Its First in Odisha

Accor Ltd. has opened the 118-key Novotel Bhubaneswar, marking the hospitality group’s first hotel in Odisha and the city’s first internationally branded hospitality destination. The hotel, located near Biju Patnaik International Airport, was reported as newly opened as of July 31, 2026, and expands Accor’s presence further into Eastern India.

Novotel Bhubaneswar sits near Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Kalinga Stadium, and key commercial and cultural landmarks including the Lingaraj Temple, positioning it to serve both business travellers and families. The property includes rooms and suites, about 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, three dining venues, a fitness centre and leisure facilities, making it a dual-purpose asset for business travel and MICE-style gatherings in the city.

Why Does Bhubaneswar’s First International Hotel Brand Matter?

Bhubaneswar has lacked an internationally branded hotel until now, despite its growing profile as a destination for business, sports and cultural tourism in Eastern India. Novotel Bhubaneswar’s arrival gives the city access to global brand standards, loyalty programme integration and corporate travel booking channels that domestic-only hotels typically cannot offer, which is likely to influence how multinational companies and event organisers choose venues for meetings and conferences in Odisha’s capital going forward.

What Does This Mean for Eastern India’s Hospitality Sector?

Accor’s entry into Odisha follows a broader pattern of international hotel groups expanding beyond India’s metro markets into state capitals and tier-2 cities as domestic travel demand strengthens. With roughly 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space built into the property, Novotel Bhubaneswar is positioned to capture not just leisure and business travellers but also the local MICE and corporate events market, an area where the city previously had to rely on standalone convention venues without hotel-linked accommodation.

Industry Reaction and Expert Commentary

“Novotel Bhubaneswar reflects the city’s growing prominence as a destination for business, tourism, sports, and social celebrations,” said Neelabh Sahay, general manager at Novotel Bhubaneswar. “As the first Accor hotel and the first internationally branded hospitality destination in the Temple City, the opening marks another important milestone in Accor’s expansion in Eastern India.”

What Happens Next?

Accor recently partnered with Sri Bhramara Group to develop a separate Novotel beachfront hotel in Andhra Pradesh, signalling continued expansion momentum across India’s eastern and southeastern coastal states. Further openings and signings in the region are likely as Accor and other international hotel groups compete for a foothold in India’s fast-growing tier-2 hospitality markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Novotel Bhubaneswar hotel located?

Novotel Bhubaneswar is located near Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, close to the railway station, Kalinga Stadium and the Lingaraj Temple.

How many rooms does Novotel Bhubaneswar have?

Novotel Bhubaneswar is a 118-key hotel featuring rooms, suites, about 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, three dining venues, a fitness centre and leisure facilities.

Why is Novotel Bhubaneswar significant for Odisha?

It is Accor’s first hotel in Odisha and Bhubaneswar’s first internationally branded hospitality destination, giving the city its first global-standard hotel brand.