New Delhi: Delhi’s luxury hotel belt has taken on the look of a diplomatic fortress ahead of the BRICS Summit on Sept. 12 and 13, with thousands of rooms booked for presidents, senior officials and foreign delegations arriving in the capital.
More than 3,000 hotel rooms across Delhi have been reserved for BRICS members, partner countries and senior representatives of international organisations. The surge in demand has also pushed prices at some luxury properties beyond Rs 2 lakh a night, while several hotels have virtually shut out regular bookings.
From Russian President Vladimir Putin to Chinese President Xi Jinping and top officials from global institutions, some of the biggest names attending the summit will be staying at Delhi’s most prominent luxury addresses.
Putin at ITC Maurya
Russian President Vladimir Putin is staying at ITC Maurya, according to reports.
The luxury property is among the hotels witnessing a sharp spike in demand ahead of the summit, with room rates crossing Rs 2 lakh per night.
Putin is among the leaders of the 11 BRICS member countries expected to attend the summit.
Xi Jinping expected at Taj Palace
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive in Delhi on Sept. 12 and stay at Taj Palace, New Delhi.
The hotel is currently showing no room availability, with its inventory sold out as the capital prepares to host the high-profile summit.
The Oberoi becomes a diplomatic hotspot
At The Oberoi New Delhi on Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, the guest list reflects the summit’s wide international footprint.
Delegations from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Indonesia are staying at the property, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected to arrive there in the afternoon.
Security at the hotel has been significantly tightened, with multiple layers of checks being carried out as foreign dignitaries and their entourages arrive.
For ordinary travellers, however, finding a room is proving difficult. The Oberoi’s official website is currently showing the property as sold out.
Taj Mahal Hotel hosts global heavyweights
The Taj Mahal Hotel has emerged as another key diplomatic hub, accommodating delegations from Uruguay, the Philippines, Cuba, Belarus and Vietnam.
The property is also hosting the directors-general of the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization, adding to the concentration of senior international officials under one roof.
Like The Oberoi, the hotel is currently showing no rooms available on its official website.
Le Méridien draws top international officials
The diplomatic guest list at Le Méridien New Delhi extends beyond national delegations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the president of the New Development Bank are staying at the property.
Delegations from Uganda, Nigeria and Malaysia are also based there, making the hotel another important gathering point for officials attending the summit.
The LaLiT hosts African delegations
At The LaLiT New Delhi, close to Connaught Place, delegations from South Africa and Burundi are staying as part of the summit’s African outreach and member-country representation.
The hotel’s location in the heart of central Delhi places it within one of the capital’s busiest diplomatic and security zones during the summit.
Shangri-La Eros sees demand surge
Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi, on Ashoka Road, is hosting the delegation from the West Asian BRICS member state.
Its suites are currently sold out, while room rates have climbed to as much as Rs 60,000 a night.
Why Delhi’s hotel rooms are suddenly so expensive?
The sharp rise in hotel prices is being driven by an extraordinary concentration of diplomatic traffic in the capital.
Presidents, prime ministers, senior diplomats, international organisation chiefs and business leaders are converging on Delhi for the BRICS Summit, placing significant pressure on the city’s luxury hotel inventory.
The impact is visible in both availability and prices. Properties such as The Oberoi and The Taj Mahal Hotel are already showing as completely sold out on their official websites, while rates at some other five-star properties have climbed dramatically.
For Delhi’s luxury hotels, the summit is more than a major business opportunity. For the next few days, some of the capital’s most exclusive addresses will effectively function as high-security diplomatic zones, with world leaders and international power brokers sharing the same corridors as security teams, diplomats and negotiators.
And with thousands of rooms already spoken for, the BRICS Summit is leaving its mark on Delhi’s luxury hospitality market even before the leaders take their seats at the summit table.
