Lemon Tree Hotels adds 145 rooms in Bodhgaya; exits 80-room Gurugram property

Lemon Tree Hotels has signed licence agreements for two Bodhgaya hotels: a 75-room Lemon Tree Hotel and a 70-room Keys Select. The expansion targets pilgrimage and leisure demand, while its 80-room Lemon Tree Premier in Gurugram exited the portfolio after lease termination.

— Source publishedFri, 4 Sept, 2026, 20:58 IST·First seen Fri, 4 Sept, 2026, 21:01 IST·Source CNBC-TV18 · Companies

What happened

Lemon Tree Hotels signed two Bodhgaya hotel licence deals adding 145 rooms across Lemon Tree and Keys Select formats, targeting pilgrims and leisure travellers.

Key facts

  • 145 rooms added through two Bodhgaya properties
  • 75 rooms at Lemon Tree Hotel, Bodhgaya
  • 70 rooms at Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels, Bodhgaya
  • 80-room Lemon Tree Premier, Leisure Valley 2 removed from portfolio
  • 2 hotels currently operated in Bihar
  • 3 properties in Bihar development pipeline

Why this matters

Bodhgaya offers a scalable, dual-brand expansion opportunity in pilgrimage and leisure travel, while the Gurugram exit underscores the need for disciplined lease and partner selection.

What to watch

  • Actual opening dates and phased inventory availability for both Bodhgaya hotels.
  • Occupancy, ADR and RevPAR performance through peak pilgrimage and international tourist seasons.
  • Evidence of additional lease exits, conversions or licence/management signings in major business markets.
  • Bodhgaya air connectivity, visa conditions and foreign Buddhist tourist arrival trends.
  • Competitive hotel openings or branded supply additions in Bodhgaya.
  • Whether Lemon Tree secures a replacement or expanded presence in Gurugram/NCR.
  • Prioritize pilgrimage, group-tour and Buddhist-circuit partnerships for Bodhgaya, including travel operators, airlines and international inbound agents.
  • Differentiate the 75-room Lemon Tree Hotel and 70-room Keys Select by guest segment, price point and group-event offering to limit internal cannibalization.
  • Use the Gurugram exit to redeploy sales resources toward stronger NCR properties or pursue a more asset-light replacement in the market.
  • Track licence-agreement economics and opening timelines, as signed rooms may not contribute immediately to operating results.
  • Bundle Bodhgaya stays with adjacent religious and leisure destinations to extend length of stay beyond peak pilgrimage periods.