ORAVEL STAYS LTD., OYO's parent firm, and SoftBank Group recently launched their premium hospitality brand, SUNDAY, in the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, OYO's serviced hotels business saw 250 percent growth in its first year, adding 700 hotels since September 2023, surpassing its target of 200.
The international expansion is part of OYO's ongoing efforts to strengthen its premium property portfolio globally, the company said in a statement.
"Our data shows growing demand for premium, experience-driven accommodations,” said Puneet Yadav, Oravel’s UK business head. “This strategic move allows us to tap into the luxury segment while maintaining our commitment to delivering value across all price points.”
SUNDAY Lansbury Heritage near Canary Wharf will now be operated by Oravel, the statement said. The 35-room, Grade II listed building dates back to 1628, when the East India Company built its first chapel and almshouses on the site. SUNDAY has also launched in Dubai with the opening of SUNDAY Holiday International Hotel.
Launched in May 2023 in India through a joint venture between SoftBank and Oravel Stays, the premium brand currently has three properties, with plans to expand to 25 by March 2025, OYO said.
SoftBank is OYO's largest shareholder with 46.62 percent, while founder Ritesh Agarwal owns 33.15 percent.
Business growth
The OYO-managed serviced hotels offer property owners the opportunity to partner with OYO for fixed rentals and consistent returns under a trusted global brand, the statement said. Tagged as ‘Company Serviced’ on the OYO app and website, these hotels are part of OYO’s mid-premium and upper-budget brands like Townhouse and Collection O, catering to both business and leisure travelers. OYO actively monitors hotel upkeep and customer reviews to maintain service quality.
The serviced hotels span 124 cities in India, with South India leading growth, home to more than 200 company-serviced hotels, followed by North, Central, East, and West regions. Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Chennai are the top cities for company-serviced hotels. The footprint is expanding in key pilgrim cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Puri, and leisure destinations such as Jaipur, Goa, Kochi and Mysore.
“This initiative has driven substantial improvements in key metrics, including occupancy rates and customer experience, leading to a rise in repeat bookings,” said Varun Jain, OYO India's COO. “Additionally, positive customer feedback has surged, with 95 percent of guest reviews expressing satisfaction. Guests frequently highlight the seamless booking experience, modern amenities, and attentive staff as key differentiators.”
In September, Oravel Stays agreed to purchase G6 Hospitality, the franchiser of Motel 6 and Studio 6, for $525 million from Blackstone Real Estate. The company is reportedly raising $200 million to fund OYO's potential acquisition of G6 Hospitality.
