EAST INDIA HOTELS-OWNED Oberoi Hotels & Resorts will debut in the United Kingdom with a luxury property in London’s Mayfair. The London-based property group Grosvenor received planning permission in 2022 to restore the 33,000-square-foot listed building as part of its South Molton development and began renovations in November 2023. The luxury boutique hotel is scheduled for completion in 2027, the companies said in a joint statement.
EIH recently established a U.K. company with an authorized share capital of $37.5 million, around £30 million. Besides India, the luxury hotel chain has a presence in Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Mauritius.
“Our partnership with Grosvenor marks an important milestone in our international growth,” said Arjun Oberoi, The Oberoi Group's executive chairman. “London has always been a key market for our guests. We are excited to bring our distinctive hospitality experience to the heart of London. The Oberoi, Mayfair, will not only celebrate our brand at a prime location but also showcase our service excellence.”
South Molton will serve as a new gateway to Mayfair, generating an estimated £6.5 million in annual spend and creating 1,000 permanent jobs, along with 450 jobs and apprenticeships during construction, the statement said.
"Confirming a brand as prestigious as Oberoi will have its first U.K. presence at South Molton, in the heart of Mayfair, is what we mean when we say we are creating a destination of international significance," said Rachel Dickie, Grosvenor's executive director of investment and development. "We are thrilled to have such a strong anchor for the project at this early stage."
JLL represented Grosvenor, while EIH London Investments Ltd was advised by Johnny Sandelson, the statement said. The project, currently the West End's largest mixed-use development, will include the hotel, office space, housing, cafes, shops, restaurants, and community and leisure spaces.
“This project marks a pivotal moment for our brand’s global journey,” said Vikram Oberoi, The Oberoi Group’s managing director and CEO. “The Oberoi Mayfair will embody the essence of luxury, offering guests an intimate retreat in the heart of Mayfair with the dynamic spirit of the city.”
The Oberoi Group opened its first hotel in Shimla, northern India, in 1934. It now owns and operates 32 hotels and two luxury Nile River cruisers. Based in New Delhi, the group operates in seven countries under the Oberoi and Trident brands and is involved in flight catering, airport restaurants, and corporate air charters.
With The Oberoi, Mayfair, The Oberoi Group becomes the third Indian hospitality group in London. Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. operates two Taj hotels, and in 2023, the Hinduja Group partnered with Accor to convert Winston Churchill’s Old War Office into a Raffles hotel.
The “Grand Indian Hotel,” recently aired on BBC Player, explored Indian hospitality traditions in a three-part series, offering a behind-the-scenes view of luxury hotels like The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur and The Oberoi in New Delhi.
Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, known as ‘Biki,’ chairman emeritus of the Oberoi Group, passed away on Nov. 14 at the age of 94.
Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s
Pakistan Beats India in Hospitality, Says Canadian Vlogger
INDIA IS KNOWN for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning "The guest is God," but some foreigners disagree. A Canadian man, when asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality, picked Pakistan without hesitation.
His brief interview with an Instagram user has since gone viral, Hindustan Times reported.
Instagram user @officialnamour, known for vox pop videos, recently asked Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure about "desi" hospitality. Saumure, a Canadian travel vlogger, has visited dozens of countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, the U.S. and Vietnam.
When asked, “India or Pakistan—which has better hospitality?” Saumure instantly replied, "Pakistan, obviously."
He explained that Indians often see foreigners as wealthy customers, while Pakistanis offer warm hospitality, inviting tourists into their homes and offering food.
"You go to India, and people just see you as a walking ATM," Saumure said. "You go to Pakistan, and people are like, 'Oh, come here, sit. Take this free food. Come sleep at my place.'"
The video has more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, many agreeing with Saumure.
"As an African living in Dubai, I agree with him. Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. Pakistanis see you as a friend, while Indians see you as a stranger," one user commented. Another added simply, “I agree (I’m Indian).”
“India gets a lot of tourists, so we’re used to it and have built an economy around them,” another Instagram user said. “Pakistan gets only a few hundred tourists a year, so seeing a foreigner is a big deal for them.”
Some criticized Saumure’s opinion, some with racial overtones.
“Why do whites expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from India?” one user asked.
A whitepaper by the Confederation of Indian Industry and EY projects India’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 6.1 million jobs by 2034. It currently accounts for 8 percent of total employment.