Oberoi Group Partners With Ladhani Group for Two New Resorts in Rishikesh
There is something quietly momentous about the idea of the Ganges wrapping itself around a piece of land on three sides, and it is precisely this setting that The Oberoi Group has chosen for its newest hospitality venture. In New Delhi on Monday, 5 March 2025, in keeping with EIH Ltd.'s strategic expansion, The Oberoi Group announced the addition of two new resorts in Rishikesh. The announcement, made in partnership with the Dehradun-based Ladhani Group, signals a fresh chapter for one of India's most storied hospitality names in a town long associated with yoga, pilgrimage and the quiet pull of the Himalayas.
The two properties will sit side by side yet speak in distinct voices. The first will be an 80-key luxury Oberoi Resort, branded as 'Vilas', a name synonymous with opulence and exclusive experiences, while the second will be a 120-key Trident-branded five-star hotel, offering a distinctive and refined atmosphere. Set amidst a breathtaking 60-acre site, embraced by the Ganges on three sides, these resorts will offer an unparalleled retreat near Rishikesh. According to a group release, both hotels will be managed by EIH Limited, the Oberoi Group's flagship company.
Design leadership has been placed in the hands of a name well known to connoisseurs of narrative-driven hospitality. World-renowned architect Bill Bensley has been entrusted with designing these exceptional hotels, blending luxury with the natural beauty and spiritual essence of Rishikesh. Bensley's imprint, seen across some of Asia's most theatrical resort properties, suggests these two Rishikesh addresses will lean into storytelling as much as square footage, weaving the town's riverine and spiritual character into every courtyard and suite.
Ownership and development of the two properties rest with entities under the Ladhani family umbrella. The Oberoi Resort, carrying the 'vilas' name, and the Trident Resort are owned and being developed by Devprayag Ganges Resorts Pvt Ltd. and Jamuna Hotel Enterprises Pvt Ltd., respectively, both entities of The Ladhani Group. The project, under the guidance of the family patriarch, will be spearheaded by his grandchildren, Simran Ladhani and Rachit Ladhani.
Both families struck a note of shared ambition in their public statements. S.N. Ladhani, Chairman of The Ladhani Group, said, "we are beyond excited to collaborate with The Oberoi Group, a brand synonymous with excellence in hospitality." On the Oberoi side, Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman of The Oberoi Group, said the resorts "reflect our unwavering commitment to expanding our presence in remarkable destinations," while Vikram Oberoi, CEO & MD of The Oberoi Group, added that the goal is to create outstanding hotels with strong financial performance that blend the best in luxury, culture, and heritage with personalized service.
The Rishikesh announcement does not stand alone; it is part of a much larger canvas EIH Ltd. has been painting. The two resorts in Rishikesh to be managed by EIH Limited are in addition to the 19 properties previously announced as part of EIH Ltd.'s ambitious growth strategy, that includes 16 hotels, two luxury boats, and a Nile cruiser to be completed by 2029. The scale of this pipeline underlines how central experiential, destination-led hospitality has become to the group's growth story, even as it continues to operate its flagship city and resort hotels across India and abroad.
On the ground, construction has a defined runway. Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with completion expected by 2029. That timeline places Rishikesh's newest luxury address roughly three years out from breaking ground, giving the region's hospitality ecosystem, and the local supply chain of guides, artisans and service staff that will support it, time to prepare for an influx of high-spending, experience-seeking travellers.
The timing is notable for another reason: Rishikesh's hospitality market is in the middle of a broader upcycle. Industry analysts have flagged the town, alongside Ayodhya and Puri, as part of an emerging category of spiritual-tourism destinations witnessing meaningful supply additions, supported by rising year-round footfalls and improved infrastructure connectivity. Against that backdrop, the arrival of two globally recognised brands, designed by an architect known for elevating a sense of place, is likely to lift both visibility and benchmark room rates for the wider Rishikesh hospitality corridor in the years ahead.
