SAMHI Hotels Limited on Friday said its board has approved the acquisition of a 70 per cent majority stake in RARE India, a curated platform of heritage hotels and experiential stays, for approximately ₹470 million. The Gurugram-based hotel ownership company expects to sign definitive agreements by May 2026.
Simultaneously, SAMHI and RARE India have signed a memorandum of understanding with Marriott International to affiliate RARE’s portfolio under the Outdoor Collection brand on Marriott Bonvoy, giving it access to Marriott’s global distribution channels. Definitive agreements with Marriott are expected after the acquisition closes.
RARE India, founded in 2003 by Shobha Rudra, operates 67 hotels with 990 rooms across 15-plus states in India and has an international presence in Nepal and Bhutan. The platform focuses on heritage palaces, wildlife lodges, and boutique properties.
The deal marks SAMHI’s first asset-light investment in leisure hospitality. SAMHI currently operates 31 hotels with 4,904 rooms across 13 cities, primarily targeting business and gateway markets under Marriott, IHG, and Hyatt brands. With the RARE acquisition, its combined portfolio would reach approximately 100 hotels.
SAMHI Chairman Ashish Jakhanwala described the investment as a “small financial commitment with asymmetrical return potential,” with capital to be deployed on technology, distribution, and marketing. RARE will continue to be independently operated by its founder and existing team.
The shares of SAMHI Hotels Limited were trading on the NSE today at 1.20 pm at ₹147.86 down by ₹3.86 or 2.54 per cent.
Published on March 6, 2026