IHG expands in Nepal with second Crowne Plaza hotel

IHG Hotels & Resorts signs an agreement with Lumbini Heritage Limited

In a move to expand its footprint in Nepal, IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Lumbini Heritage Limited to open a new Crowne Plaza hotel in Lumbini. Scheduled to open in 2026, the hotel will be the second Crowne Plaza property in the country. The location in Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of Buddha, is chosen to serve spiritual travellers and the MICE market.

The hotel will be situated four kilometres from the main pilgrimage site and 18 kilometres from Gautam Buddha Airport. The market is currently underserved by international hotel brands. The hotel will feature 137 rooms and 10 suites. It will also include a range of meeting and event spaces, including a banquet hall.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director of South West Asia for IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our presence in Nepal with the signing of Crowne Plaza Lumbini. Lumbini holds immense spiritual and cultural significance, and bringing the Crowne Plaza brand here reaffirms our commitment to expanding world-class hospitality across high-potential destinations. With modern design, versatile spaces, and premium facilities, we are confident Crowne Plaza Lumbini will become a preferred choice for domestic and international travellers alike.”

Subhash Amatya, chairman of Lumbini Heritage Limited, added: “We are proud to collaborate with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring a Crowne Plaza hotel to Lumbini. The city holds immense cultural and spiritual value, attracting travellers from around the world. With IHG’s global expertise and the strength of the Crowne Plaza brand, we are confident that the hotel will redefine hospitality standards in the region while creating a premium welcoming space for both business and leisure guests.”

The Crowne Plaza brand focuses on blending business and leisure travel. Its features include the Plaza Workspace concept in hotel lobbies and rooms designed to help guests balance work and rest.

IHG currently has 51 hotels operating across six brands in India and a pipeline of 72 hotels due to open in the next three to five years.