TravTalk India Online Magazine
Espire Hospitality Group announced the signing of an iconic hotel in the historic city of Ayodhya.
- A prominent player of Indian hospitality, Espire is set to make a significant impact on Ayodhya’s hospitality landscape with this project.
- The property, slated to open in Q4 2024, will feature a diverse range of accommodation options catering to both luxury and mid-segment travellers.
At the heart of this new project lies a unique blend of two renowned brands, ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels and Resorts. Fifty keys will be dedicated to ZANA. Meanwhile, the remaining 100 keys will be managed by Country Inn.
This expansive property offers a unique blend of character and convenience, making it an ideal choice for both leisure, business and religious travellers.
Located in close proximity to renowned landmarks like Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi Temple, and Kanak Bhawan, the hotel provides easy access to the city’s spiritual and cultural attractions. The hotel’s multi-cuisine restaurant offers a delectable array of buffet and à la carte options, catering to diverse tastes.
For relaxation and entertainment, the property features a range of facilities, including a kid’s play area, a gaming arena, and a versatile event space spanning 3,000 square feet.
In an exclusive interview with DDP Group, Akhil Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Espire Hospitality Group, shared his vision for the project and its potential to drive tourism growth in Ayodhya.
“We are in an exciting phase of expansion as we continue to enhance our market presence in key domestic destinations. Our expansion strategy is multifaceted, aiming to offer new options for different travellers and market segments. Our forthcoming properties will span across both ends of the spectrum, with ‘ZANA Resorts’ offering luxury boutique experience for the premium travellers, and ‘Country Inn Hotels & Resorts’ offering mid-segment resorts for the savvy traveller.”
“We are working towards expansion in distinctive destinations that inspires the soul and introducing immersive experiences that resonate with travellers seeking authenticity, sophistication, and tranquillity for soulful stays.
- Our upcoming openings in the next two years include ZANA Luxury Resorts in Dehradun, Varanasi and Ayodhya, and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts in Raipur and Lucknow.”
- “As we are not just the hotel operators but also the hotel owners, including the magnificent ‘Six Senses Fort Barwara,’ we’re in discussions with top international hospitality brands to launch our own 150-key luxury property in Vrindavan, set to debut in early 2026. This new venture is set to redefine luxury standards in the city, establishing a new benchmark for excellence.
- At the same time, we are actively exploring new properties in vibrant locations, including Jaipur, Puri, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rishikesh and Amritsar, under management, lease and franchise models.”
“Our aim is to always introduce meaningful offerings that cater to the unique preferences and needs of various tourist segments.
- For leisure travellers, our focus is to offer highly personalised service with distinctive concepts that create novel experiences. We offer not just the stays but a lifestyle experience with wellness offerings, adventure activities, and innovative destination dining options, ensuring guests have memorable stays filled with relaxation and exploration. Additionally, we aim to offer best recreational facilities in the city, important for the most desirable vacations with friends, families and groups.
- At the same time, we recognise the importance of catering to religious travellers. Our recent opening of Country Inn hotel in Ayodhya marks a significant milestone for us as we our enter in this culturally rich and historic city.
We aim to offer culturally enriching experiences that honour the journey of spiritual travellers. Our properties will also be equipped with amenities that respect dietary restrictions and cultural practices, fostering an inclusive environment.”
“Addressing seasonality and cultural sensitivities is key to ensuring exceptional experiences for our guests. To tackle seasonality, we proactively adjust our staffing during peak periods to maintain high-touch service. We also create enticing off-season packages that encourage guests to explore our properties year-round.
At the same time, we’re committed to offering diverse dining options that cater to various dietary preferences. Our culinary teams receive training to understand different cultural practices, ensuring every guest’s needs are taken care of. Ultimately, our goal is to create an environment where every guest feels valued and respected, and experiences an elevated and soulful stay.”
“Engaging with the travel trade is a top priority for us at Espire Hospitality Group, and I’m excited to share how we’re making strides in this area.
We believe in building strong relationships with travel agents and tour operators. We regularly host familiarisation trips, allowing them to experience our properties firsthand. This not only helps them understand our offerings but also empowers them to promote our hotels with confidence.
We’re also active in industry events and trade shows, where we connect directly with agents and partners to discuss trends, gather feedback, and share our vision for the future. By fostering these collaborative relationships, we aim to boost sales while ensuring our partners have the right tools, promotional assets and knowledge to effectively promote our properties.”
“Ayodhya’s remarkable transformation into a world-class pilgrimage destination, highlighted by the inauguration of the iconic Ram Mandir, has attracted an influx of tourists from around the world. With Ayodhya expected to become ‘world’s most sought-after’ pilgrimage destination, we are committed to offer exceptional experiences to the travellers, combining luxury and comfort in one property, at a prime location in Ayodhya.”
The decision to combine ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts within a single property was driven by our desire to offer guests the best of both worlds—luxury and accessibility, all in one location. We recognised that travellers today seek flexibility and personalisation in their experiences. By bringing together the elegance and exclusivity of ZANA with the comfort and familiarity of Country Inn, we cater to diverse guest preferences, from those seeking indulgent, high-end stays to those looking for a warm, family friendly experience.
This combination also allows us to optimise our operational efficiencies while enhancing the overall guest experience with a broader range of services and amenities. It is all about creating a dynamic, versatile destination that meets the evolving needs of our guests, whether they’re traveling for leisure, business, or special occasions.
“To ensure that both ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels and Resorts effectively cater to their respective target audiences, we will divide the inventory into two parts, offerings two distinctive experiences.
We are committed to maintaining the unique identities of both brands. Each will continue to offer tailored experiences that resonate with their specific guest profiles.
For ZANA, that means focusing on luxury, bespoke services, and immersive experiences that appeal to high-end travellers. For Country Inn, we’ll emphasise comfort, family-friendly amenities, and affordability.
Training our staff to understand and deliver on the distinct service philosophies of each brand is a vital strategy. This will ensure that every guest, regardless of which brand they choose, receives exceptional service that meets their expectations.”
“We are committed to sustainability practices that ensure our guests a luxurious yet ecofriendly experience. At ZANA, we use premium organic bath amenities by Ma Earth Botanicals, which are both indulgent and environmentally friendly. Our hotel is equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting to minimise our carbon footprint. Additionally, we provide thorough training for our staff on sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, ensuring that every aspect of our operations reflects our commitment to sustainability.”
The new hotel is poised to elevate Ayodhya’s hospitality offerings, attracting both domestic and international visitors seeking a memorable experience in this historic city.
