Kohima, 25 October 2026: Nagaland has its first five-star hotel. Polo Hotel Kohima, a 56-room property from the Shillong-founded Polo Hotels Group, has been formally inaugurated in the state capital by the Governor of Nagaland, Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, who attended as Chief Guest. It is also the state’s first chain hotel.

A governor’s view on tourism

Speaking at the inauguration, the Governor said a new hospitality establishment represented more than the opening of a hotel, signalling investment in the region’s future, livelihood opportunities and a commitment to welcoming visitors with professionalism and warmth. He described the hotel as a welcome development as Nagaland attracts growing attention as a tourism destination.

“Tourism is not merely about attracting visitors; it is about creating meaningful experiences while ensuring that local communities benefit from the opportunities tourism generates. The growth of this sector can stimulate entrepreneurship, promote local products, create employment for our youth and strengthen the economic prospects of the state,” he said.

Shri Yadav highlighted Kohima’s potential for leisure, cultural and business travellers and noted the importance of the Hornbill Festival in showcasing Nagaland’s cultural heritage to visitors from India and abroad. He said quality hospitality infrastructure could contribute meaningfully to realising the state’s tourism potential, and expressed hope that the hotel would uphold high standards of service, cleanliness, safety and professionalism while reflecting Nagaland’s distinctive character.

Nagaland Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along called the hotel a significant addition to the state’s hospitality infrastructure. He said it would contribute to government revenue, challenged the business community to take bold steps towards investing in Nagaland’s future, and said the state government and the Tourism Department would partner with the group.

A Northeast group moves into Nagaland

Polo Hotels Group was founded in Shillong in 1991, when Hotel Polo Towers opened beside the city’s Polo Ground. Now headquartered in Kolkata, it has properties in Meghalaya, Tripura and Kolkata: Polo Towers Shillong, Polo Resort Cherrapunji, Polo Hotel Agartala, Polo Floatel in Kolkata and Chapter Lakeside in Tripura under its Chapter boutique brand. Its restaurant brands include Tring Tring, Dylan’s Café Shillong, Aviator Café Shillong and ML05CAFÉ, Upper Shillong. Kohima marks the group’s entry into Nagaland.

Valley views and Naga design

The hotel overlooks the valley and the city of Kohima. A glass-fronted lobby opens towards the valley, and the infinity pool and guest rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Inside, the design draws on Naga architectural traditions and cultural motifs. Tribal artwork hangs in every room, woven Naga textiles are worked into the room design, and the roof of the Mithun block pays homage to traditional morungs, the community spaces central to Naga cultural life. The aim is a property that works as both a city hotel and a hill retreat.

Naga cuisine and local sourcing

Dining is led by Tring Tring, the group’s 1990s-themed all-day diner, which opens its third outlet here after Shillong and Kolkata. Alongside Oriental, Western and Indian cuisines, it offers a seven-course Naga menu.

Deval Tibrewalla, CEO & Whole-Time Director, Polo Hotels Group, said most employees at the Kohima property are locals, and that the hotel would source products from local weavers, artists, farmers and carpenters.

“Nagaland has never been short of reasons to visit: the history, the festivals, the food, the hills. We wanted to build a hotel that invites everyone to enjoy these reasons. We didn’t want a building that could stand anywhere. Here the valley meets you at the door, Naga craft is in every room, and the food on the table is from these hills,” he said.

Kishan Tibrewalla, Founder & Chairman, Polo Hotels Group, added: “We opened our first hotel in Shillong thirty-five years ago, as a Northeast company building in the Northeast. To open in Kohima, and to be welcomed here by the Governor and the Government of Nagaland, means a lot to all of us.”

A base for exploring Nagaland

The hotel arranges visits to Kohima’s World War II heritage sites, while Khonoma village and Dzükou Valley are within reach for those keen on the state’s history, community traditions and landscapes. It also serves as a base for the Hornbill Festival, held during the first ten days of December. Kohima is reached by road from Dimapur Airport, typically a 1.5 to 2-hour drive.

Images: courtesy of Polo Hotels Group