DS Group plans to double its hotel room inventory by 2029 with a committed investment of ₹1,000 crore, according to Nathan Andrews, Business Head – Hospitality at DS Group. About half of the new inventory is already under construction, as reported by Travel Trends Today on October 1, 2026.
The group’s flagship project is a 200-room W Delhi NCR hotel near Aerocity and Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is scheduled to open in September 2027 with an investment of about ₹400 crore.
What Is DS Group’s Hotel Expansion Plan?
Andrews said: “We plan to double the room inventory by 2029. We’ve committed an investment of INR 1,000 crore.” The expansion focuses on luxury and mid-scale hotels in high-growth Tier I and Tier II cities. DS Group follows an asset-led model, in which it develops properties and works with international operators rather than managing hotels directly.
The group currently operates six properties: Namah Nainital, Namah Jim Corbett, Radisson Blu Guwahati, InterContinental Jaipur, Renaissance Bengaluru and Holiday Inn Express Kolkata. With half of the planned new inventory already under construction, a large part of the doubling target is in progress rather than on paper.
What Will the W Delhi NCR Hotel Offer?
The W Delhi NCR is Marriott International’s W Hotels brand and will be the second W property in India after Goa. The 200-room, lifestyle-led luxury hotel targets guests in their 30s and 40s, and aims to serve business, MICE, wedding and leisure segments. Its location near Aerocity and the airport positions it for corporate travellers and event bookings.
At around ₹400 crore for 200 rooms, the project works out to roughly ₹2 crore of investment per key, a figure that reflects the luxury positioning and the cost of land and construction near the airport.
Why Is Hospitality Investment Rising in Tier I and II Cities?
Andrews identified structural gaps between India’s scale and the amount of organised luxury inventory as the main expansion opportunity. He also pointed to the recovery in international inbound tourism as an additional source of demand. DS Group’s approach of pairing owned assets with global brands such as Marriott, Radisson and IHG lets it enter markets without building its own operating platform.
Industry Reaction and Expert Commentary
The public statement on the plan came from Andrews, who framed the opportunity around the gap between demand and organised supply. No external analyst commentary was included in the report. The plan comes in a week when other hotel operators also announced new properties across India, including Sterling’s debut in Varanasi.
What Happens Next?
The next milestone is the September 2027 opening of the W Delhi NCR. After that, observers will look for announcements of the additional properties that make up the doubling target, their cities and the operators chosen, as well as progress on the half of the inventory already under construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will DS Group invest in hotels?
DS Group has committed ₹1,000 crore to double its hotel room inventory by 2029, according to Nathan Andrews, Business Head – Hospitality.
When will the W Delhi NCR hotel open?
The 200-room W Delhi NCR near Aerocity and Indira Gandhi International Airport is scheduled to open in September 2027, with an investment of about ₹400 crore.
Which hotels does DS Group currently operate?
DS Group operates Namah Nainital, Namah Jim Corbett, Radisson Blu Guwahati, InterContinental Jaipur, Renaissance Bengaluru and Holiday Inn Express Kolkata.
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