JHM Interstate Hotels India Adds Two Contracts to Growing Management Portfolio in India

ARLINGTON, Va., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the United States' largest independent hotel management company, today announced that India-based JHM Interstate Hotels India, a 50/50 joint venture management company between Interstate and JHM Hotels, has signed agreements to manage two new-build hotels in India: a 62-room independent luxury resort in Kukas, Jaipur, expected to open in August 2010, and a 140-room Ramada Hotel in Amristar opening in September.  Including these hotels, JHM Interstate Hotels India has executed a total of four management contracts in that country.

"India has tremendous growth potential for the hotel industry," said Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate's chairman and chief executive officer.  "Last year there was a 19 percent increase in branded hotel rooms there, with no decline in occupancy.  Another nearly 60,000 hotel rooms are expected to be added over the next five years, according to HVS India.

"Our joint venture platform for third-party hotel management with JHM Hotels continues to yield positive results, as evidenced by these new contracts.  India plays a key role in our international expansion plans, and we continue to build a robust pipeline of hotel management opportunities throughout the country, establishing a strong foundation for future expansion.  Our ability to successfully source management contracts is a direct result of our relationships on the ground in India, a hallmark of our international growth platforms.  The joint venture is actively sourcing other management opportunities throughout key markets in India."

H. P. Rama, founder and CEO of JHM Hotels and director of JHM Interstate Hotels India, added that the company's ability to attract quality owners is extremely gratifying.  "Our proven management track record, as well as our experience worldwide in operating premium hotels and resorts, makes our association with these high quality projects the logical next step to our growth in this country.  We look forward to matching the product quality represented here with the service excellence we are known for worldwide."

Jaipur Resort

The upscale resort is being developed by Rajhastali Resorts& Studios Ltd., a commercial real estate developer based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and is the company's first hotel resort project.  Located at the entrance to Jaipur on National Highway #8, the resort is easily accessible from Delhi and proximate to all major points of interest in the city.  The property is situated in a beautiful landscaped setting at the foot of the Aravali mountain range.  Facilities and amenities include luxuriously appointed and spacious guestrooms, two restaurants, high-speed Internet access, fitness facility, swimming pool, spa, ancillary retail, and indoor and outdoor banquet space with two large picturesque party lawns.  

Ramada Amritsar

New Delhi -based Starex Developers is developing The Ramada Amritsar, its first hotel project.  The under-construction, five-story hotel, located in the heart of the city, inside the Hall Gate at Amritsar, is approximately 30 minutes drive from the airport and 15 minutes from the railway station.  Hotel amenities include a full-service restaurant, serving both continental and regional specialties, free high-speed Internet access, gym and swimming pool, ancillary retail and approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of function space.

About JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd.

JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd (www.jhminterstate.com) is a 50/50 joint venture partnership between Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and JHM Hotels.  It is headquartered in the NCR, with a fully staffed Resource Center in Gurgaon, Haryana.  The management team in Gurgaon provides expertise in all aspects of hotel operations including sales and marketing, food and beverage, information technology, human resources, construction and design, finance and quality assurance.  

About JHM Hotels

JHM Hotels, Inc., a premier lodging company based in Greenville S.C., with offices in Mumbai and Surat, India, has developed, acquired, owned and operated hotels throughout the United States for more than 37 years.  The company currently owns and operates 40 U.S. hotels with more than 6,250 guestrooms, operating under such well-known brands as Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt.  For more information about JHM Hotels, visit the company's Web site:  www.jhmhotels.com.

About Interstate Hotels & Resorts

Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of a 50/50 joint venture between subsidiaries of Thayer Lodging and Jin Jiang, is the nation's largest independent hotel management company based on revenue managed.  The company and its affiliates manage and/or have ownership interests in 232 properties with more than 46,000 rooms in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, India, Mexico, Belgium, Canada, Ireland and England.  The company has ownership interests in 56 of those properties, including six wholly owned assets.   For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company's Web site: www.ihrco.com. 

SOURCE Interstate Hotels & Resorts