Accor has strengthened its India expansion strategy by signing Novotel Chirala Beach, a 225-key beachfront resort in Andhra Pradesh, marking another step in the global hospitality group’s push into emerging leisure destinations. Scheduled to open in 2031, the project will introduce the internationally recognised Novotel brand to Chirala, positioning the coastal town as a new destination for leisure tourism, destination weddings, meetings and corporate retreats.
The resort will be developed by Sri Bhramara Resorts, a division of Sri Bhramara Townships Pvt. Ltd., and is expected to become one of the first internationally branded beachfront resorts in the region. The signing aligns with Accor’s strategy of expanding into high-growth leisure markets beyond India’s metropolitan cities.
Located along the coastline of Chirala Beach, the resort will feature 225 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge bar, swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and nearly 1,000 sq. m. of banquet and meeting space, targeting leisure travellers, families, corporate groups and event organisers.
The project also reflects the increasing focus of international hotel operators on Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential as improving connectivity and infrastructure drive demand for organised hospitality in emerging destinations. Chirala’s proximity to Guntur, Amaravati, Vijayawada, Ongole and Hyderabad has made it an attractive destination for weekend getaways, destination weddings and experiential travel.
Commenting on the signing, Ranju Alex, CEO – South Asia, Accor, said, “The signing of Novotel Chirala Beach represents another important milestone in our strategy to expand into emerging leisure destinations across India. Chirala offers tremendous tourism potential, driven by its natural coastal beauty, improving infrastructure and growing demand for premium hospitality experiences. We are delighted to partner with Sri Bhramara Resorts to create a hotel that will serve both leisure and business travellers while contributing to the long-term development of tourism in the region.”
The project is being developed by Guntur-based Sri Bhramara Townships Pvt. Ltd., which has been active in Andhra Pradesh’s residential and commercial real estate sector since 2015.
Galla Ramachandra Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Sri Bhramara Townships Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are honoured to collaborate with Accor to bring the globally recognised Novotel brand to Chirala. This development reflects our vision of creating world-class hospitality destinations that contribute to regional economic growth. We believe Novotel Chirala Beach will play a significant role in placing Chirala on India’s tourism map while creating a preferred destination for leisure stays, weddings, corporate events and celebrations.”
The signing further strengthens Accor’s growing presence in India, where the group currently operates 75 hotels across luxury, premium, midscale and economy segments under brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and ibis Styles. The addition of Novotel Chirala Beach is expected to support Andhra Pradesh’s hospitality ecosystem while reinforcing Novotel’s positioning in the country’s fast-growing leisure market.
