Qatar’s Aiana Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Ferns Estates & Developers in India to manage and operate five new resorts in the south Indian state of Karnataka.

With the announcement, Aiana Hotels & Resorts has now added seven properties to its fast growing portfolio; first being the 180 key ‘Aiana Suites and Residences Doha’ that will be located in the prestigious central business district of West Bay and is expected to welcome guests in 2016. Similar to its first property in India in Kerala, Aiana Hotels & Resorts will yet again offer a fractional ownership of the newly announced resorts to Qatari investors with an objective to deliver a unique and rewarding real estate investment and hospitality opportunity from the same platform.
 
Commenting on the development, Amruda Nair, joint managing director and chief executive officer, Aiana Hotels & Resorts, “We are pleased to announce our association with Ferns Estates & Developers to develop a portfolio of hotels located in leisure destinations around Karnataka that will feature signature resorts with a distinct sense of tranquillity and a relaxed atmosphere. We believe there is immense potential in destinations that are driving distance from key cities and are looking forward to expanding our presence in South India with this partnership.”

Scheduled to open in 2019, the first resort is set in the hilly coffee plantation of 45 acres, near Sakleshpur which is a three-hour drive from Bengaluru. With special care taken to preserve the natural flora, fauna and topography, the resort will feature a total of 100 villas set around a 5-acre lake uniquely designed using locally sourced material and ethnic architecture. In addition to a full service hotel development with recreational, spa and banqueting facilities, holiday home villas will also be sold under a fractional ownership model.  

Targeting weekend retreats, the other destinations identified by the partners for expansion of the portfolio in Karnataka include a 30-acre site with direct frontage on the river Hemavathi and other hill stations and wildlife sanctuaries within a four-hour driving distance from Bangalore.

According to Errol Fernandes, chairman and managing director, The Ferns Group, “We are delighted to partner with Aiana Hotels & Resorts to bring a dynamic, new offering to the resort market. This is the first time we are introducing a hybrid business model and believe that Sakleshpur is the perfect destination to announce our first resort. With our combined expertise in service and development and our commitment to innovation, we are confident that our fresh take on resort development will create lasting memories for our guests.” – TradeArabia News Service