Atlanta-based America’s Best Franchising Inc. expects to open seven properties under its upscale 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts brand in India by 2012.
The company announces the signing of its first master license agreement for India with Mumbai-based SRM Spa and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. SRM aims to launch 3 Palms hotels in Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
“India is growing dramatically every year as a destination for both leisure and business travel, and each of our country’s regions charms travelers with distinctive culture, heritage and language,” says Saumya M. Sharma, chief development officer for SRM. “Now, each 3 Palms location will capture and celebrate this rich diversity in its own special, authentic way.”
The 3 Palms brand in India is intended for full-service independent hotels with a 5-star rating or higher that are located near beaches, tourist sites and other high-traffic destination locations. For example, one 3 Palms resort may be a converted historical or heritage property, while another may be an oceanside estate.
There are seven hotels currently open worldwide under the 3 Palms brand, in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Belize.
“3 Palms is a unique network of accommodations options that allows guests to enjoy the Indian experience a little differently at each property, but always with luxury and always with elegance,” Sharma says. “The result is enhanced satisfaction for travelers—and enhanced profitability for hoteliers.”
The 3 Palms concept offers independent hoteliers the benefits of affiliating with an existing brand without an extensive list of franchiser mandates. “Putting the 3 Palms name on properties in India will give travelers the confidence of knowing they have chosen a hotel that provides the most modern amenities in an ultra-comfortable setting, yet at an attractive price,” says Doug Collins, Chairman and CEO of America’s Best Franchising. “And it will give owners the opportunity to improve their bottom line.”
America’s Best Franchising operates more than 250 properties, mostly in the United States and primarily under economy brands America’s Best Inns & Suites, Budgetel Inns & Suites, Country Hearth Inns & Suites and Vagabond Inns & Suites.