SAMHI Hotels Invests in RARE India, Partners with Marriott for Experiential Leisure Expansion

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SAMHI Hotels Ltd. has approved the acquisition of a 70% stake in RARE India, a leading curated platform of heritage hotels and experiential stays. The deal, expected to close by May 2026, marks SAMHI’s entry into the asset-light experiential leisure segment.

Alongside, SAMHI and RARE signed an MoU with Marriott International, granting RARE exclusive rights to operate its portfolio under Marriott Bonvoy’s Outdoor Collection brand across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. This affiliation will leverage Marriott’s global distribution and loyalty ecosystem.

Founded in 2003 by Shobha Rudra, RARE India manages 67 boutique hotels with 990 rooms across India and neighboring countries, known for its focus on responsible tourism, heritage properties, and authentic experiences.

SAMHI’s investment of ~INR 470 million will strengthen RARE’s management, technology, and brand reach, while preserving its independent operations and community ethos. The partnership expands SAMHI’s portfolio to nearly 100 hotels through ownership and affiliation models.

Leadership Comments:

  • Ashish Jakhanwala, SAMHI: “This is a strategic adjacency with asymmetrical return potential, consistent with our philosophy of discovering value.”

  • Shobha Rudra, RARE: “We remain true to our philosophy of responsible tourism while scaling our impact.”

  • Rajeev Menon, Marriott: “This collaboration unlocks demand for immersive travel experiences across the region.”