With a strategic vision to expand its footprint across high-potential and underpenetrated leisure markets, Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of Radisson Resort Kalimpong, marking its entry into the picturesque hill station of Kalimpong in West Bengal. This signing underscores the Group’s broader focus on strengthening its presence in secondary and high-barrier markets and reinforces its commitment to expanding in Eastern India through distinctive destinations.
Growing Leisure Destination in the Eastern Himalayas
Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, this hill destination in West Bengal is known for its cool climate, colonial-era charm and sweeping ice-capped Kangchenjunga views. It attracts steady leisure demand from weekend travelers and holidaymakers seeking an alternative to saturated hill markets, while also benefiting from its proximity to established tourism circuits in the region. The town is steadily emerging as a premium leisure destination with growing appeal for experiential and nature-led travel.
Located approximately 0.5 km from a major state highway, the resort will enjoy convenient road access to key towns across West Bengal and Sikkim, as well as to Siliguri, the region’s primary rail and air gateway which is situated 67 km away. This connectivity, combined with the destination’s scenic setting, positions the resort to capture demand from leisure travelers, weekend getaways and destination-led experiences despite the market’s seasonality.
Strengthening Presence in Eastern India
“Kalimpong represents a compelling opportunity as an underpenetrated leisure market with strong long-term potential. Being the first internationally branded hotel in the destination reflects our consistent first-mover strategy of entering emerging markets early and shaping their hospitality landscape with trusted global brands. It will further strengthen our footprint in Eastern India while reinforcing our commitment to bringing globally recognised hospitality brands to new tourism markets across the country,” said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
Radisson Resort Kalimpong will offer uninterrupted views of the Kanchenjunga range. The resort will feature 100 guest rooms, including 90 standard rooms and 10 suites. The resort will offer contemporary dining options with an all-day dining restaurant and a tea lounge. It will also feature extensive meeting and event facilities, including a banquet hall, conference room, business lounge and multiple meeting rooms, making it well-suited for corporate retreats, social gatherings and destination weddings. Additional facilities will include a spa, fitness center and an infinity swimming pool, creating a well-rounded resort experience that blends leisure, wellness and business needs.
Development Perspective
“Radisson Resort Kalimpong affirms successful implementation of our strategy to establish Radisson Hotel Group as a leading hospitality chain in Eastern and North Eastern states of India. This resort, at an advanced stage of construction, is a strong opportunity to establish a premium branded resort in a destination with exceptional natural appeal and limited branded competition. The elevated site, combined with comprehensive MICE and wellness facilities, enables us to create a well-rounded resort product that can cater to leisure travelers, weddings, and corporate off-sites. We see strong long-term value in this market and look forward to developing a landmark property that blends international standards with the distinctive character of the Eastern Himalayas,” said Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
“This partnership with Radisson Hotel Group marks an important milestone for our project in Kalimpong. The destination has long been admired for its natural beauty but has lacked a globally branded hospitality offering. By collaborating with an internationally recognised brand, we aim to create a resort that will elevate the tourism landscape of Kalimpong while offering world-class service and facilities to travellers. We are confident that Radisson Resort Kalimpong will emerge as a preferred destination for leisure stays, weddings, and corporate retreats, and we look forward to a long and successful association with the Group,” said Rohit Gupta, Director, Gajbadan Tradewing Private Limited.
Radisson Hotel Group continues to command a leading presence in the Indian market and is one of the country’s largest international hotel operators with over 200 hotels in operation and development. It remains the largest hotel operator in a tier-1 market like Delhi NCR, while over 50% of its portfolio is in tier-2 and tier-3 markets. The Group has successfully introduced multiple brands to the Indian market, including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, and Radisson Individuals and its extension Radisson Individuals Retreats.
