At the Gates of Delhi, a Hotel to Gather
Just a few minutes from Delhi International Airport, and after crossing a twelve-lane highway (!), you reach the Deventure Sarovar Portico Kapashera. Behind this somewhat long name lies a certain logic: Deventure is the owning company, Sarovar Portico refers to the group’s midscale brand, and Kapashera is the neighborhood of New Delhi where the hotel is located.
The location is no coincidence: we are in a strategic zone, surrounded by hotels, wedding halls, and event spaces. Here, India’s wedding season drives the pulse of the business. It is a segment in its own right. With a capacity of more than 350 people, one might think the hotel is automatically a key player. The reality is that competition is everywhere.
This is a very different face of Indian hospitality compared to The Lodhi. The ambition here is another: to offer a reliable, modern place, designed to meet the needs of a clientele that is 95% domestic.
An Arrival in Torrential Rain
It is not the façade that strikes you, but the scene at the entrance. The hotel is not flashy. It is not brand-new. But it is clean, modern, well kept.
That day, the rain was pouring down in sheets. We paid the driver directly on our phone via UPI (India’s Unified Payments Interface, incredibly useful to avoid carrying large amounts of cash). The question then arose: how do we reach the entrance for our meeting without getting soaked, with about fifteen meters to cover under the downpour?
That is when a staff member appeared, shuttling back and forth between the cars and the lobby, holding up an oversized umbrella. A simple service, efficient and practical, but precious under such conditions, and a promising sign for the stay ahead.
Sarovar: The Strength of the Midscale
Stepping into the lobby, there is no fantasy or overdone décor. The space is open, fairly vast, and understated. Step by step, you discover the hotel’s main features and services:
- A buffet and à la carte restaurant
- Large meeting spaces
- A well-maintained gym
- Rooms that are spacious, clean, and bright (73 keys)
Sarovar does not play the card of spectacle. It plays the card of reliability. The certainty of correct service, clean spaces, and a controlled experience. In a market that is both immense and highly heterogeneous, that is a promise that truly matters.
A network that structures the market
Sarovar Hotels & Resorts counts more than 140 hotels across 85 destinations in India, Nepal and Africa. It is a key local player in the midscale and upper midscale segments, present in major metropolitan areas as well as in secondary hubs.
Behind Sarovar stands the French Louvre Hotels Group, itself part of the global giant Jin Jiang International. Since its integration, Sarovar’s portfolio has expanded further into the upscale segment, incorporating some of the Louvre Hotels and Radisson brands.
Un ancrage international qui s’appuie toutefois sur une forte identité indienne. Son rôle est clair : offrir un standard solide à une clientèle essentiellement domSarovar’s international backing relies on a strong Indian identity. Its role is clear, to provide a reliable standard for a largely domestic clientele. Hospitality that is accessible, consistent and reassuring.
In a country where travel remains first and foremost a domestic experience, Sarovar aims to stand as one of the pillars of the industry, alongside IHCL (Taj, Vivanta) and ITC Hotels. Its mission is to support daily needs and build a bridge between local hospitality and international standards.
Dinner with the team: shared insights
We had the opportunity to dine with Danish, Front Office Manager, and Jaideep, General Manager. The first embodies youth and a fast-track career through operations, the second represents experience, with more than 20 years in the field and GM of the Year in 2023.
The exchange was pleasant and enriching, shedding light on both their hotel and the wider market:
- Staffing remains a challenge. Young employees are better trained but more volatile, and turnover is a constant issue.
- Giving meaning. Jaideep insists on it, the new generation wants to climb quickly, but they need guidance, mentoring and structure.
- Go abroad to return stronger. His advice: leave, learn, then come back enriched, and never forget the essential part, to return.
- A strong attachment. The Sarovar spirit is powerful, after ten years in the group Jaideep has witnessed its growth and feels fully part of the adventure. Same for Danish, who began his career in 2011 before a stint at Radisson.
- A community-driven hospitality. Among hoteliers, mutual support prevails, everyone knows each other and exchanges are regular to monitor business.
- A market in growth: demand for Delhi continues to rise, while branded supply is still limited compared with other Asian cities.
- New Delhi Aerocity: a unique hub concept. 12 branded hotels, 3,000 rooms within just one square kilometer, with new projects announced including a Waldorf Astoria and a St. Regis by 2026, designed to absorb part of the 80 million annual visitors.
Jungle Project – What it tells us
Discovering the Deventure Sarovar Portico Kapashera was an excellent surprise. A reliable product, an experienced and welcoming staff, and the chance to better understand the local market:
- Offer. Accommodation and banquet capacity is a key asset for targeting the wedding segment.
- Distribution. Forget Booking and Expedia, here it is MakeMyTrip (with Goibibo) that fills the hotels.
- Clientele. 70% of the business comes from corporate travel, and 95% of the clientele is domestic, with nuanced codes and expectations.
Photo credits: Sarovar Hotels Group & personal archives
Interview date: July 2025
Hotel Website: https://www.sarovarhotels.com/deventure-sarovar-portico--kapashera-new-delhi/
Group Website: https://www.sarovarhotels.com/
