- Marriott launched its first Autograph Collection hotel in India.
- The hotel is owned by Manbeer and Binny Choudhary, descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
- The launch marks Marriott’s 19th brand in India and its 220th hotel in the country.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED its first Autograph Collection hotel in India. The 176-key Noormahal, Delhi NCR Karnal, Autograph Collection, is located in Karnal, Haryana.
The property is owned by Manbeer Choudhary and Binny Choudhary, descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Marriott said in a statement. It is on NH44 between Delhi and Kurukshetra, providing access from Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala and Ludhiana. Chandigarh International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport are about two hours away, while Karnal Railway Station is 15 minutes away.
“Autograph Collection Hotels are designed with a clear vision and a strong sense of place,” said Cristiano Rinaldi, Marriott’s chief lodging product and services officer for Asia Pacific excluding China. “Noormahal embodies this, making it the ideal debut for the brand in India. It is where India’s heritage meets contemporary design, creating immersive experiences for modern travelers. Noormahal is truly ‘Exactly Like Nothing Else,’ and we are thrilled to introduce the Autograph Collection experience to India’s travelers.”
The launch marks Marriott’s 19th brand in India and its 220th hotel in the country. Marriott operates about 30 brands globally. The Autograph Collection includes more than 360 hotels in over 55 countries.
The Karnal property is being positioned as a wedding venue, with more than 30,000 square feet of banquet and open event space, the statement said. It also serves as a stopover for travel to Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Manali, Dehradun and Mussoorie. The hotel houses an art and artifact collection.
Kiran Andicot, Marriott’s senior vice president for South Asia, said Autograph Collection hotels reflect a clear vision and a strong sense of place.
“Noormahal embodies this, marking the brand’s debut in India,” he said. “This also marks the introduction of our 19th Marriott Bonvoy brand in the country, reflecting the continued evolution and depth of our portfolio. As Indian travelers increasingly seek distinctive, design-led stays rooted in cultural authenticity, Autograph Collection arrives at a relevant moment for the market.”
Last year, Marriott President and CEO Anthony Capuano said he expects India to become the company’s third-largest market within five years as travel demand grows.
“We will continue momentum in the upper-upscale and luxury segment,” he said. “We will also expand into lower chain scales to serve value-conscious international and domestic travelers.”
In December, Marriott Bonvoy’s Westin Hotels & Resorts opened The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa, marking Marriott’s 200th property in India.
