The Postcard Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its boutique outposts in remote and scenic environments, is now entering India’s major metropolitan markets. Targeting greenfield development sites, the brand plans to open large urban properties in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai—and beyond—featuring spacious 800‑square‑foot suites, nearly double the standard size of city hotel rooms.
The first of these city-centric hotels is under construction in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant shift from the company’s established portfolio of 11 resorts, which include destinations like Kanha tiger reserve, Goa, Chitwan in Nepal, Jawai in Rajasthan, and Nainital in Uttarakhand.
Founder Kapil Chopra, who formerly helmed Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, says this foray stems from growing domestic travel and heightened demand for space, privacy, and consistency in urban luxury accommodations. He remarks, “City hotels today are becoming increasingly standardized, often losing any sense of local character,” adding that many urban properties feel globally generic and disconnected from India.
Despite soaring real estate costs, the new hotels will adopt The Postcard’s signature model—mixing leased and managed properties—and include features such as anytime breakfast and flexible check-ins, which reinforce the brand’s unconventional hospitality approach.
Chopra believes true luxury begins with ample room—800 sq ft suites serve as a distinction in tight urban settings. Resort room construction costs typically range between INR 1.5–2 crore each. At their resorts, average suites span 1,200 sq ft, with average daily rates (ADR) for FY 2024–25 hovering around INR33,000—a rate positioning them at the higher end of the market.
Launched in 2018, The Postcard has unveiled or is building seven new properties in 2025 alone—Tirupati, Kanha, two locations in Goa, Chitwan, Jawai, and Nainital According to sources, the group is targeting 18 hotels by year’s end, making it one of the fastest-growing luxury chains in South Asia .
In related developments, The Postcard is planning quarterly openings for the next seven years, including ventures in Ranthambore—where suites may creep toward India’s priciest at INR1.95 lakh per night—and other iconic locations like Mashobra, the Himalayas, and additional tiger reserves.
Beyond room dimensions, The Postcard emphasizes anytime check-in/check-out, à la carte breakfast, artisanal local cocktails, and immersive regional experiences. In Goa, guests enjoy these perks across four properties.
The group also maintains a holistic loyalty program, the “Sunshine Club”, rewarding guests with cashback-style points and tiered benefits—including complimentary spa visits and laundry service.
With average room costs rising and traveller preferences shifting toward larger, authentic, and flexible urban stays, The Postcard’s model seems aimed directly at filling a niche many traditional hotel chains have left untouched. Founder Chopra’s plan for bold investment in metros—with curated design and generous spacing—could attract well-heeled travelers seeking an alternative to the cookie-cutter luxury often found in cities.
Source: Mint
