ITC Hotels
Corporate brand
UnclaimedIndian hospitality company operating and managing a multi-brand portfolio of luxury, upscale, heritage and mid-market hotels.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
ITC Hotels is an Indian hospitality company that operates and manages hotels across the country. Its business developed from ITC Limited's entry into lodging in the 1970s and grew into one of India's largest hotel networks. The portfolio spans luxury hotels, premium full-service properties, experiential resorts, heritage accommodation and mid-market hotels, with brands including ITC Hotels, Mementos by ITC Hotels, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Storii by ITC Hotels, Fortune Hotels and WelcomHeritage Hotels. The group's hotel business began on 18 October 1975, when the India Tobacco Company opened the Chola Hotel in Chennai. As the business expanded, it used the Welcomgroup identity and entered a partnership with Sheraton Hotels in 1979, allowing a number of properties to operate under Sheraton branding. A separate corporate strand originated with Rama Hotels Pvt Ltd, incorporated in 1972 and renamed Vishwarama Hotels in 1973. VST Industries acquired Vishwarama Hotels in 1980–1981, and the first luxury property associated with the new chain opened in Bangalore in 1982. ITC acquired VST's entire equity capital in 1984, bringing the hotel operation fully into its group. The business was renamed ITC Hotels in 1986. The company built a reputation around high-end Indian hospitality, landmark urban hotels, destination resorts and service tailored to government, corporate and international guests. Several properties received prominent recognition; for example, the hotel that later became ITC Gardenia received a five-star rating from the Indian government in 1985. ITC Hotels properties have also hosted visiting heads of state and other senior international figures, including George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. By the period immediately before its separation from ITC Limited, the network comprised more than 100 hotels and was described as India's third-largest hotel chain. Its operating model combined owned and managed properties with brand partnerships. Most of the group's luxury properties were operated through a franchise arrangement connected with Marriott International's The Luxury Collection, while other hotels traded under ITC's own brand architecture. ITC Limited announced the demerger of its hotel business in September 2023. The separation became effective on 1 January 2025, with ITC Limited shareholders receiving one share in the hotel company for every ten shares held in the parent. The demerger marked the transition of ITC Hotels from a hotel division and subsidiary within the diversified ITC group into a separately listed hospitality company. ITC Hotels continues to focus primarily on the Indian market and on developing a differentiated portfolio across luxury, upscale, leisure, heritage and value-oriented segments.
History
ITC Hotels traces its origins to ITC Limited's entry into the Indian hotel industry. The first major step came on 18 October 1975, when the India Tobacco Company opened the Chola Hotel in Chennai. This established hospitality as a new activity within a group better known at the time for tobacco and consumer businesses. During the late 1970s, the expanding operation used the Welcomgroup identity and entered a partnership with Sheraton Hotels in 1979. The arrangement enabled a number of properties to carry Sheraton branding while the Indian business expanded its management and development capabilities. A second corporate lineage contributed to the later hotel company. Rama Hotels Pvt Ltd had been incorporated in 1972 and renamed Vishwarama Hotels in 1973. VST Industries acquired Vishwarama Hotels in 1980–1981. In 1982, the first luxury hotel associated with this new chain opened in Bangalore, providing the foundation for a more ambitious high-end hospitality platform. ITC acquired the entire equity capital of VST in 1984, consolidating control over the hotel interests. In 1985, the Indian government awarded a five-star rating to the property that would later become ITC Gardenia. The business adopted the ITC Hotels name in 1986. Over subsequent decades, ITC Hotels developed a broad Indian network rather than limiting itself to one hotel format. Its portfolio included landmark city hotels serving business and diplomatic visitors, resort properties, heritage accommodation and hotels aimed at more price-sensitive domestic and corporate travelers. The group organized these properties under several brands, including ITC Hotels, Welcomhotel, Fortune Hotels, WelcomHeritage and, later, Mementos and Storii. The portfolio also incorporated an international brand relationship: most of the group's luxury hotels were operated through a franchise agreement associated with Marriott International's The Luxury Collection. The hotels became known for hosting prominent public figures and international visitors. The portfolio's appeal was built not only on room inventory but also on restaurants, banqueting, conferences, wellness and destination experiences. The luxury proposition emphasized Indian architecture, regional cuisine, local cultural references and service standards adapted to both domestic and international guests. By the early 2020s, ITC Hotels operated or managed more than 100 hotels and was identified as India's third-largest hotel chain. In September 2023, ITC Limited announced a plan to demerge the hotel business. The transaction was intended to give the hospitality operations a separate corporate identity and greater strategic independence while allowing ITC Limited to retain a connection through its shareholding. The demerger became effective on 1 January 2025, and ITC Limited shareholders received one share in the hotel company for every ten ITC Limited shares held. The post-demerger company is focused on operating and managing its Indian hotel portfolio as an independent hospitality enterprise. Its brand architecture continues to cover luxury, upscale, experiential, heritage and mid-market segments, giving it exposure to business travel, leisure travel, weddings, conferences and domestic tourism.
- 2025
Demerger takes effect
[1]The ITC Hotels demerger becomes effective on 1 January, with ITC Limited shareholders receiving shares in the hotel company.
- 2023
Demerger announced
[1]ITC Limited announces the separation of its hotel business into an independently listed company.
- 1986
Business adopts the ITC Hotels name
[1]The hotel company changes its name to ITC Hotels.
- 1985
Five-star recognition for future ITC Gardenia
[1]The Indian government awards a five-star rating to the hotel that later becomes known as ITC Gardenia.
- 1984
ITC acquires the hotel business from VST
[1]ITC acquires VST Industries' entire equity capital, consolidating ownership of the hotel operation.
- 1982
First luxury hotel of the new chain opens in Bangalore
[1]The first luxury hotel associated with the new chain opens in Bangalore.
- 1980
VST Industries acquires Vishwarama Hotels
[1]VST Industries acquires Vishwarama Hotels during 1980–1981, bringing the hotel business into the wider tobacco-company group.
- 1979
Sheraton partnership begins
[1]Welcomgroup partners with Sheraton Hotels to brand a number of its properties as Sheraton hotels.
- 1975
ITC enters the hotel business
[1]The India Tobacco Company opens the Chola Hotel in Chennai on 18 October, marking ITC's entry into hospitality.
- 1973
Corporate predecessor renamed Vishwarama Hotels
[1]Rama Hotels Pvt Ltd changes its name to Vishwarama Hotels.
Products and positioning
A distinctly Indian, multi-brand hospitality group combining luxury accommodation, premium urban hotels, leisure destinations, heritage stays and mid-market properties. Its top tier emphasizes Indian design, cuisine, culture and service, while its broader portfolio covers multiple price points and travel occasions.
Luxury hotels
ITC Hotels
The flagship luxury brand, focused on landmark urban hotels, destination properties and high-end Indian hospitality. Its proposition combines premium accommodation with restaurants, banqueting, wellness, conferences and design themes drawing on regional culture and architecture. Many properties associated with the luxury portfolio have been operated through a franchise relationship with Marriott International's The Luxury Collection.
Luxury resorts and experiential hotels
Mementos by ITC Hotels
A small luxury and experiential portfolio intended for distinctive destinations and leisure-led stays. The brand is designed around memorable settings, local character and curated guest experiences rather than a standardized urban business-hotel format.
Upscale full-service hotels
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels
An upscale full-service brand serving business and leisure travelers across Indian cities and destinations. Welcomhotel properties generally combine accommodation with restaurants, meetings, events and other services, offering a broader and more accessible alternative to the flagship luxury hotels.
Boutique and experiential hotels
Storii by ITC Hotels
A boutique-oriented brand built around individual properties and destination-led experiences. Storii emphasizes a sense of place, intimate scale and local storytelling, positioning its hotels for leisure travelers seeking characterful stays.
Mid-market and business hotels
Fortune Hotels
A mid-market hotel network serving corporate travelers, domestic tourists and other guests seeking dependable full-service accommodation. The brand broadens the group's reach beyond luxury through practical locations, meeting facilities, food and beverage services and standardized operating support.
Heritage hotels
WelcomHeritage Hotels
A heritage-focused collection featuring historically significant buildings and destination properties. The brand presents Indian architectural and cultural heritage as part of the accommodation experience, with properties intended to retain distinctive local identity rather than follow a uniform contemporary design.
Brand decisions
2023
Separate the hotel business from ITC LimitedStrategyBackground
ITC Limited announced a plan to demerge its hotel business, which had historically operated within the diversified group's corporate structure.
Action taken
The hotel operations were placed into a separate company intended to operate as an independently listed hospitality business.
Aftermath
The demerger became effective on 1 January 2025, and ITC Limited shareholders received one ITC Hotels share for every ten ITC Limited shares.
Recent events
Reported
ITC Hotels partners with Magzter for digital reading access[2]
ITC Hotels partnered with Magzter to provide unlimited digital magazines and newspapers across its properties in India. ITC Hotels and select Welcome Hotels enabled contactless Smart Reading Zones with free access to more than 5,000 publications on the Magzter app.
Reported
ITC Hotels and Swiggy announce home-delivery partnership[3]
ITC Hotels announced a partnership with Swiggy to deliver dishes from its hotel restaurants to customers at home across India. Swiggy would enable no-contact delivery for prepaid orders.
Reported
ITC Hotels partners with Swiggy for home dining delivery[4]
ITC Hotels partnered with Swiggy to offer ITC Hotels dining options through home delivery in India. The first phase covers selected ITC Hotels and Welcomhotel properties, with more properties planned for a second phase.
Reported
ITC Hotels announces WeAssure[5]
ITC Hotels announced WeAssure, a hotel hygiene and safety programme with enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols.
Reported
ITC Hotels partners with DNV GL Business Assurance[5]
ITC Hotels said it is partnering with DNV GL Business Assurance on hygiene and safety assurance certifications for its hotels across India.
Reported
ITC Hotels launches WeAssure[6]
ITC Hotels launched WeAssure, a hotel hygiene and safety initiative developed with NABH and DNV GL Business Assurance.
Sources7 sources
- 1ITC Hotelsen.wikipedia.org
- 2ITC Hotels与Magzter合作提供数字阅读服务business-standard.com
- 3ITC Hotels与Swiggy宣布合作提供送餐服务iol.co.za
- 4ITC Hotels与Swiggy合作提供送餐服务economictimes.indiatimes.com
- 5ITC Hotels宣布推出WeAssure计划thehindubusinessline.com
- 6ITC Hotels推出WeAssureeconomictimes.indiatimes.com
- 7ITC Hotels partners with Swiggy to deliver food delicacies at customers' doorstepsyourstory.com
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