Delhi luxury hotels see rate surges ahead of BRICS Summit

The upcoming 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is driving a significant surge in demand within the city’s luxury hospitality sector. As high-level diplomatic delegations, security agencies, and business delegates arrive for the event scheduled for September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam, major five-star hotels in Lutyens' and Central Delhi are reporting near-total occupancy.

Several prominent properties, including The Leela Palace, The Oberoi, and Taj Hotels, have either reached full capacity or ceased accepting new bookings for the summit dates. In instances where premium suites or executive rooms remain available, nightly rates have escalated significantly, with some prices reaching between ₹1 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh.

Nikhil Sharma, managing director and COO for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), noted that average room rates across their portfolio are more than 25 percent higher year-on-year for September. This spike is attributed to the summit's demand combined with shorter booking windows. The influx of visitors is expected to impact tourists and business travelers, who may need to seek accommodations further from the city center or adjust their travel schedules.