The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has strengthened its footprint in India’s fast-growing experiential hospitality segment with the signing of a new cluster of amã Stays & Trails bungalows in Port Blair, marking the brand’s entry into the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The expansion reflects rising demand for immersive, experience-led travel and reinforces IHCL’s strategy of growing its leisure and homestay portfolio across high-potential destinations in India.
The upcoming development, announced under IHCL’s premium homestay brand amã Stays & Trails, will comprise ten luxury bungalows located amidst lush tropical surroundings within walking distance of Manjery Beach in Port Blair.
IHCL Strengthens Presence in Experiential Travel Segment
Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IHCL, said the project aligns with evolving travel preferences that increasingly favour private, culturally rooted and experience-focused stays.
“As travel preferences continue to evolve towards experience-led stays, the homestay segment has emerged as a strong driver of growth,” Chhatwal stated.
“With a portfolio of over 370 bungalows across India, the expansion of amã Stays & Trails to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands marks the brand’s foray into the island destination, reflecting our focus on building a diversified presence across leisure destinations,” he added.
IHCL has been aggressively expanding its leisure and lifestyle offerings in response to strong domestic tourism demand, particularly among affluent travellers seeking personalised hospitality experiences, wellness retreats and nature-based escapes.
Luxury Island Retreat Planned in Port Blair
The new amã Stays & Trails property in Port Blair is designed to combine luxury hospitality with the natural and cultural heritage of the Andaman Islands.
The retreat will feature:
- Ten premium bungalows
- An all-day dining restaurant
- A fully equipped fitness centre
- Spa and wellness facilities
- Meditation and yoga decks
- Swimming pool
- Curated local experiences
Guests will also have access to activities such as snorkelling in the region’s turquoise waters while exploring the islands’ distinctive colonial history and indigenous cultural heritage.
Located in the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair serves as the gateway to the archipelago and is renowned for attractions such as Cellular Jail, Chidiya Tapu and pristine coastal landscapes.
Focus on Local Culture and Heritage
amã Stays & Trails has positioned itself as a hospitality brand centred around culturally immersive stays, with each property designed to reflect the regional identity and heritage of its location.
The portfolio currently includes more than 370 bungalows across destinations including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry, Sikkim and now the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The expansion into Port Blair highlights growing interest in island tourism and eco-conscious hospitality experiences among domestic and international travellers.
Partnership with Terra Rex Realty
The project is being developed in partnership with Terra Rex Realty and Terra Rex Energy, led by entrepreneur and former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Abhishek Singh.
Singh described Port Blair as a destination offering a unique combination of natural beauty and historical significance.
“Port Blair, a historic town and the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offers travelers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage,” Singh said.
“We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL’s amã Stays & Trails on this project to bring these experiences to life for our guests,” he added.
Singh is widely recognised for his diverse professional journey spanning public administration, entrepreneurship, cinema and social initiatives.
Rising Demand for Premium Homestays
The Indian hospitality sector has witnessed significant growth in experiential travel and premium homestay demand over the past few years, driven by changing traveller preferences, remote working trends and increased interest in wellness and nature-led tourism.
Industry experts believe island destinations such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are increasingly attracting high-value travellers seeking exclusivity, sustainability and personalised experiences.
IHCL’s amã Stays & Trails brand has emerged as a key player in this segment by offering heritage homes, villas and boutique retreats tailored to experiential leisure travel.
IHCL Continues Aggressive Expansion
IHCL, part of the Tata Group, remains India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalisation and continues to expand aggressively across luxury, upscale, wellness and leisure segments.
Its brand portfolio includes Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, Gateway, Ginger, Tree of Life, Claridges Collection, Brij Hotels and Atmantan, among others.
The company currently operates a portfolio of 628 hotels globally, including 255 properties in the pipeline across four continents, 14 countries and more than 250 destinations.
With the signing of the Port Blair project, IHCL continues to deepen its presence in India’s growing leisure tourism landscape while strengthening its focus on responsible, experience-driven hospitality.
