Hilton has progressed in its plan to grow its footprint in India through its latest deal to add 150 Spark by Hilton economy hotels across the country.
Hilton has signed a strategic licensing agreement with Olive by Embassy, the hospitality and co-living wing of India-based Embassy Group, a long-time partner in past hotel projects, according to a news release. This deal will introduce the Spark by Hilton brand to India. The first Spark by Hilton hotels will open in Southern India, focusing on Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Hilton has made several recent signings for luxury, full-service and focused-service hotels in India, including its first Curio Collection hotel in Bengaluru, Jaipur’s first Conrad and the first Hilton hotels in Udaipur and Lucknow. The Waldorf Astoria in Jaipur is expected to open in 2027.
“This landmark signing with Olive by Embassy underscores Hilton’s bold ambition in and long-term commitment to South Asia,” Alan Watts, president of Asia-Pacific at Hilton, said in the news release.
Embassy Group is one of India’s largest real estate developers, and it launched India’s first publicly traded real estate investment trust. The company owns the Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park. Launched in 2019, Olive by Embassy has four brands: Olive Life, Olive Zip, Olive Hotel and Villas by Olive.
Scaling the Spark brand has been a priority for Hilton since the company announced its launch in 2023. At the end of the third quarter, the company had 28 Spark hotels open and more than 2,600 rooms. At that time, Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta touted the brand's pipeline, particularly in markets outside the United States.
“The brand’s pipeline is three times larger than its existing supply, and we expect continued launches in European markets,” Nasseta said on the company’s third-quarter earnings call with analysts. He did not mention India specifically at the time.
Editor’s note: Christopher J. Nassetta serves on the board of directors for Hotel News Now’s parent company, CoStar Group.