Hilton Continues India Expansion With Deal to Open 75 Hampton Hotels

Hilton Hotels and Resorts continues to expand its India footprint, with the US hotel giant announcing late last week that it will open 75 Hampton by Hilton hotels in the world’s fifth-largest economy.

Ranked third globally by the number of rooms under its management, Hilton’s latest India initiative comes under a new licensing agreement with local hotel firm Nile Hospitality to open new locations under the upper-midscale Hampton by Hilton marque, adding to the company’s five brands currently under operation in the country.

The expansion will bring Hampton by Hilton locations to the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Bihar, after Hilton last year agreed to introduce 150 premium-economy Spark by Hilton hotels to India under a partnership with Olive by Embassy.

“This marks our mid-market moment in India, as significant macroeconomic growth, a rapidly rising middle class and the vast infrastructure development fuel demand for our brands and drive strong trading performance in the country,” said Hilton Asia Pacific president Alan Watts. “This agreement marks yet another important milestone as Hilton accelerates its growth in India and unlocks a new chapter of expansion in Asia Pacific.”

One to Grow On

Hampton by Hilton expands the company’s midscale category in India following the growth of the upscale Hilton Garden Inn in the world’s most populous country. In 2023, Hilton inked a deal with local player Dangayach Group to bring its Waldorf Astoria brand to India through a new project in the northwestern city of Jaipur, and the company will open the first location under its Curio Collection in Bengaluru as it aims to have eight brands operating in the country within the near future.

Despite numbering more than 3,000 properties in 43 countries and territories, Hampton by Hilton counts just a single location in India: a Gujarat hotel operating under a 2011-era franchise agreement with local firm Baywood Hotels.

The Hampton brand targets value-conscious and quality-driven travellers with a complimentary breakfast service, open-concept lobbies and contemporary design.

“Our owners consistently tell us that they value the efficient design and consistent service approach, which drives premium performance and scale,” said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer and president of global development at Hilton. “It is the right time for this brand to grow at scale in India, where we see significant opportunities to serve a rapidly-growing customer base.”

In Asia’s other mega-market, China, Hampton by Hilton has grown swiftly for more than a decade. Recent openings include Hampton by Hilton Hangzhou Lakeside Wulin Square, Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Huangpu Sports Center and Hampton Suzhou Guanqian Avenue.

Middle-Income Potential

Established in 2018, Nile Hospitality has a presence across 14 Indian states and a portfolio of 24 hotels under global brands including Wyndham, Radisson and Hyatt. Nile manages over 1,500 keys and boasts a pipeline of 2,000 additional rooms.

The tie-up with Hampton by Hilton gives Nile a chance to tap the potential of India’s growing middle-income segment, said founder and CEO Vikram Singh Chauhan.

“It is indeed an exciting collaboration, as it provides an opportunity to redefine the midscale accommodation segment and deliver high-quality service and operations that both Hilton and Nile are renowned for,” Chauhan said. “By aligning with the country’s unprecedented development and domestic travel momentum, we hope to offer our guests the comfort of a consistent network and brand promise in emerging markets and key destinations.”