ITC Hotels to manage Madhya Pradesh’s heritage destination – ‘Lunera Ki Sarai’ in Mandu

ITC Hotels recently signed a management agreement with with Bhopal based Lunera Castle Resort and Spa, for a landmark property under the brand Welcomhotel in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Welcomhotel Mandu – the refreshed avatar of the heritage destination ‘Lunera ki Sarai’ pays tribute to the ancient fort city of Mandu celebrated for its architecture.

With this signing, ITC’s Hotel Group will have nearly 540 keys in Madhya Pradesh. This includes two operating WelcomHeritage properties in Pench, Pachmarhi and three Welcomhotels in the pipeline at Jabalpur, Gwalior and Bhopal

Welcomhotel Mandu will feature 94 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, meeting spaces, spa and a swimming pool.

Mandu, also known as Mandav, is an ancient fort city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Surrounded by stone walls dotted with darwazas (gateways), Mandu is known for its rich history, architectural marvels, and romantic legends, making it a popular destination for tourists, history buffs, art and design enthusiasts.

A short 2-hour drive from Indore, the erstwhile Lunera ki Sarai is set to emerge as a popular tourist destination.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels said, “We are honoured to have been entrusted with the legacy of Lunera ki Sarai. Historical context dates this ‘sarai’ located along the trade routes in 16-17th century back to 400 years.  It is indeed a very special project. Brand Welcomhotel looks forward to reviving the glory of Lunera ki Sarai by enabling memorable experiences at this heritage resort.

Pankaj Phulwani, Director, Lunera Castle Resort and Spa said, ITC Hotels expertise in hospitality is well established. We have no doubt that through their acclaimed service standards upheld by their competitive talent this resort will shine brighter and will elevate Mandu to one of Madhya Pradesh’s favourite tourist destination. Given the enriching experiences that Brand Welcomhotel is known for, we are sure that this fort-style resort against the Sarai’s heritage backdrop will be a big draw for travellers.”