Corporate Report     

Published: December 31, 2024
Updated: December 31, 2024

Pride Hotels & Resorts Ltd

Fastest growing hotel chain Redefining hospitality

The group’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular, as it has evolved from just one Pune property in 1988 to 60 hotels across the country, at an average rate of setting up five hotels every three years, with a present valuation of nearly Rs 500 crore. The group’s dynamic architect, CA-turnedhotelier SP Jain, is thirsting for more as he has set a target of 133 hotels by CY 2033. His formula for success lies in striving to meet the evolving needs of guests and blending tradition with modernity. The group’s growth plan includes tapping niche markets like adventure, wildlife and spiritual tourism, while expanding its footprint in business and leisure travel.

Mumbai-headquartered, and with a pan-India presence, Pride Hotels and Resorts Ltd has emerged as the fastest-growing hotel chain in the country and has been catapulted into the coveted list of the top five hotel groups in India. Starting with turning an existing, ordinary hotel into a five-star property in the Shivajinagar area of Pune in 1988, the company has made rapid strides, setting up five hotels every three years on an average. By now, it has all of 60 properties covering the entire nation, from Gujarat in the west to West Bengal in the east and from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Coimbatore in the south. The valuation of its hotels has now reached near Rs 500 crore!

The architect of the Pride hotel empire, SP Jain, a dynamic Marwari first-gen entrepreneur who was earlier a chartered accountant, avers, “This is just the beginning. My aim is to expand my hotel empire to 133 hotels by CY 2033.”

In 1988, Mr Jain ‘sidelined’ his chartered accountancy and financial management business to enter the hospitality sector, starting with western India. After setting up his first hotel in Pune, he set up hotels in Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Goa, Rajkot, Vadodara, Anand, Surendranagar, Bharuch and Dwarka. Then he turned to south India, launching Pride hotels in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Coimbatore. Subsequently, the Pride caravan entered north India with Pride properties coming up in New Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Rishikesh, Haldwani, Agra, Jim Corbet, Gurugram and Nainital. Neither did he miss east India, with a Pride ‘presence’ in Kolkata and a Gangtok hotel in the north-east.

Widely travelled, Mr Jain is an enlightened businessman. He strongly believes that “numbers are important more important is high-quality services that enrich customers’ experience.” He notes, “Pride hotels have gone a long way by redefining hospitality with innovation, resilience and a deep-rooted commitment to delivering true Indian hospitality.” He lays stress on world-class facilities and has a passion for eco-friendly products

CLEAR VISION

In order to spread the ‘Pride message’ all over India, Mr Jain prepared a simple and straightforward road map. To begin with, he expanded the Pride empire in metros and big cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, and then ventured into tier-2 and tier-3 cities. In order to expand at a fast pace, he adopted an asset-light model by taking over hotels through management control contracts and franchising.

As a result, today Pride Hotels and Resorts oper ates 60 properties with 5,500 rooms, 102 restaurants and 3.25 lakh sq ft of banquet space. This diverse portfolio caters to business, leisure, spiritual and wellness travellers alike. The Pride Hotels group has also positioned itself as a trusted partner for business owners, helping them achieve 95 per cemt of budgeted revenues while addressing operational challenges like staffing and resource mobilization.

The group’s journey has been one of passion, perseverance and a deep commitment to Indian hospitality. Pointing out that “over the years, we have grown from a single property to one of the most recognised and trusted hotel chains in India with as many as 60 properties across the country,” Mr. Jain adds, “Our success lies in constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our guests. This blend of tradition and modernity along with our unwavering focus on quality has marked us out in the Indian hospitality industry.”

FOUR BRANDS

The group recently underwent a strategic rebranding to align with the evolving preferences of modern travellers. This initiative categorizes its properties into four distinct brands:

• Pride Plaza: Embodying refined luxury and timeless sophistication, and catering to the upscale segment.
• Pride Premier: Designed for millennials and modern travellers seeking upscale, vibrant experiences.
• Pride Elite: Offering boutique comfort and exclusivity in tranquil destinations
• Biznotel by Pride: Smart stays tailored for business travellers in key locations body the vibrancy and contemporary design ethos of the Pride Premier brand. “Our property now offers guests an elevated experience with modern aesthetics and world-class services,” shares Uday Bhaskar, General Manager
• Pride Bengaluru to Pride Premier: “With Pride Premier Bengaluru, we’ve created a destination that combines luxury and efficiency, meeting the expectations of today’s discerning travelers,” adds Sujit Singh, AGM-South. This upgrade ensures that the property is perfectly suited for both business and leisure travellers.
• Jaipur Resort to Pride Plaza: Jaipur’s iconic resort has been transformed into a Pride Plaza property. “Reflecting opulence and the Indian ethos in every detail, the property now stands as a true testament to luxury and cultural richness,” shares General Manager Ashish Kaul
• Pride Pune to Pride Plaza: As the flagship property, Pride Pune underwent extensive renovations to align with Pride Plaza standards. “This transformation sym-bolizes our journey and commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury,” states CR Vinoj, General Manage.
• Pride Nagpur to Pride Plaza: “The extensive upgrades at Pride Nagpur ensure it stands proudly in the Pride Plaza category, offering a world-class experience,” emphasizes Prantik Ray, General Manager. This upgrade includes enhanced amenities and refined interiors
• Pride Bhopal to Pride Premier: “Our Bhopal property’s transition to Pride Premier showcases our commitment to accessible luxury,” says Gurbir Singh, General Manager. The property now caters to a wide array of urban travellers.
• Pride Sun Village Goa to Pride Premier: “Our transformation to Pride Premier Goa highlights the vibrant and modern hospitality that Goa’s travellers expect,” shares Romol D’Souza, General Manager. This renovation introduced vibrant interiors and updated facilities to match the brand’s ethos.

‘GUESTS FIRST’

The group’s journey has been fuelled by a deep commitment to delivering exceptional experiences rooted in Indian hospitality. This rebranding is not merely a change in identity but a strategic evolution to better cater to the diverse needs of guests. By creating distinct brands, the team has ensured that every traveller — from the luxury seeker to the business professional – finds his/her perfect fit with Pride.

Pride Hotels is on a mission to expand to 133 properties by 2033. This ambitious growth plan focuses on tapping into niche markets like adventure, wildlife and spiritual tourism, in addition to expanding its footprint in business and leisure travel.

Elaborating, Atul Upadhyay, EVP of Pride Hotels, says, “Our ‘Vision 133 by 2033’ is not just a goal; it’s a testament to our ambition, resilience, and a forward-thinking approach to redefine hospitality. By embracing an asset-light model, leveraging technological advancements and prioritizing sustainability, we aim to meet the evolving needs of our guests while maintaining operational excellence. Our foray into spiritual tourism is a strategic initiative to cater to the growing demand for faith-based travel. We’re expanding in key pilgrimage hubs like Varanasi, Rameshwaram, Somnath and Ayodhya, ensuring guests experience the perfect blend of spirituality and luxury.

Pride Hotels’ expansion in the spiritual tourism sector is complemented by its strong presence in wildlife destinations, such as Gir, Polo Forest and Jim Corbett, as well as emerging leisure markets like Shivpuri and Haldwani. These initiatives align with the group’s vision to provide guests with diverse and meaningful travel experiences.

The group’s expansion into faith-based tourism is highlighted by the addition of new properties in significant pilgrimage sites, including Pride Resort Ambaji and Pride Comfort Dwarka in Gujarat. The group’s presence in pilgrim cities like Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Haldwani, Puri and Ranakpur aligns with its mission to offer unparalleled hospitality experiences tailored to the spiritual needs of modern pilgrims

INDIAN ‘PRIDE’

Pride Hotels’ success is anchored in its unique ethos, summed up by ‘Truly Indian, Traditionally Luxurious’. Initiatives like ‘Five Senses of Pride’ and ‘India Dekho with Pride’ showcase the group’s dedication to celebrating India’s rich heritage while providing immersive guest experiences. From signature ‘Namaskars’ to locally inspired cuisine, every detail resonates with warmth and authenticity.

As the Indian hospitality industry experiences robust growth, Pride Hotels is perfectly positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. With its strategic expansion, innovative rebranding and unwavering commitment to excellence, Pride Hotels is not just growing — it is transforming the landscape of Indian hospitality.