By Hemang Palan

India’s leading hospitality-chain, Lemon Tree Hotels is expected to open a luxury hotel in the vicinity of world-famous Somnath temple located on the coast of Arabian Sea in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. This information was communicated by Mr Patanjali Keswani – one of the top hoteliers of India, and also the Chairman and Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels – a company listed on BSE and NSE.

The proposed luxury hotel will be franchised under the Lemon Tree Resort brand, which is a chain of upper midscale and upscale resorts within the Lemon Tree Hotels umbrella, and will be operational in the year 2025. Lemon Tree Resort Somnath will feature 52 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, a board room, a fitness center, a recreation room, a swimming pool, an outdoor events’ venue and other public areas.

In Saurashtra, Lemon Tree currently operates a hotel near Dwarka temple and plans are afoot to expand the hotel’s footprint in tourist locations of Gujarat, including Gir forest. “For our future expansion plans, we are focusing on the asset light model, which includes managing and franchising of hotels and resorts in various business and leisure destinations in India and key markets internationally. As part of this plan, we are in talks with multiple owners and partners to manage or franchise their properties in and around different cities, tourist destinations and national parks,” said Mr Keswani.
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Founded in 2002 by Mr Patanjali Keswani, Lemon Tree Hotels currently owns and operates over 84 hotels with a total inventory of around 8300 rooms in more than 52 cities across India.

Mr Mahendra Vithlani, a local hotelier and native of Veraval-Somnath town said, “The most sacred among the 12 jyotirlings in India, Somnath temple is visited by millions of tourists every year. Factors like proximity of Somnath temple to Keshod and Diu airports, and the connectivity of Somnath’s railway station with leading cities of India have proved to be a huge boon for the hospitality industry of Gir Somnath District.”  

The abode of Asiatic lions, Gir National Park-Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary is located 67 Kms away from Somnath temple. It is estimated that around 140 hotels, resorts and guest-houses located near Somnath temple currently cater to the influx of devotees from all over the world throughout the year.