A high-stakes battle is brewing in India’s hospitality sector, with three of the country’s leading hotel chains — Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), EIH Limited, and ITC Hotels — competing to acquire the iconic JW Marriott Bengaluru. The move signals renewed confidence and aggressive expansion in the country’s luxury hotel space.
According to industry sources, the three hospitality majors have submitted bids for the landmark property, located in the heart of Bengaluru overlooking Cubbon Park. For the eventual winner, the acquisition would mark a major strategic gain in India’s most dynamic urban market, where luxury room inventory remains tight despite growing demand from corporate and leisure segments.
For IHCL, the parent company of the Taj brand, the deal would strengthen its leadership in the five-star category; for EIH, it offers an opportunity to reinforce the Oberoi brand’s southern presence; and for ITC, the addition would align with its focus on expanding premium properties in metropolitan cities.
The contest also highlights a wider trend of consolidation and asset acquisition in the Indian hospitality market. With travel demand surging and RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) in metros rising steadily, operators are keen to add marquee assets in strategic locations.
Industry analysts say the sale of JW Marriott Bengaluru — one of the city’s best-performing luxury hotels — could reset valuation benchmarks for branded five-star properties in India. The outcome, expected to be finalized in the coming months, may well shape the next chapter of competition in India’s luxury hospitality landscape.
