Nestled at the very north of India in the Himalayan mountains, the sacred Hindu city of Rishikesh is often called the “Yoga Capital of the World.” The city’s history as the birthplace of the spiritual practice fuels its present-day status as a hub where yogis and sages gather to learn and meditate.
Rishikesh and the area around it have seen rising tourism from those looking to expand their yoga practice and learn about the city’s legacy.
Amid the broader travel trend of “wellness tourism,” multiple travel agencies have marketed wellness-style trips to Rishikesh. In 2023 and 2024, the number of international visitors to the previously sleepy city neared one million for the first time, per Hotelier India.
Sofitel, Thomas Cook, and Oberoi hotels coming to India’s Rishikesh
With this growing interest, several hotel groups have set their sights on Rishikesh as the place to open new properties. At the start of 2026, French hotel giant Accor announced plans to open the new 160-room Sofitel Rishikesh Narendra Nagar in 2030.
Located in the Narendra Nagar town 10 miles outside of historic Rishikesh, the 160-room luxury resort is slated to overlook the River Ganges on over eight acres of land that feature gardens, a river, swimming pools, and yoga rooms for a meditation-inspired experience.
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“Sofitel Rishikesh Narendra Nagar will embody harmony and rejuvenation, blending the soulful energy of the Himalayas with Sofitel’s timeless French elegance,” Sofitel Legend CEO Maud Bailly said in a statement. “This extraordinary resort reflects our vision of crafting immersive luxury experiences that connect guests with culture, nature, and wellness.”
In November 2025, Indian luxury hotel group Empire Hospitality also opened a new Country Inn Premier hotel in Rishikesh. The 31-suite property sits at the foot of the Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge, which crosses the Ganges and is commonly associated with the city.
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“Rishikesh is a destination of immense cultural and natural significance”
New Delhi-based Oberoi Group is also developing two new luxury hotels in the city. Construction begins later this year on the 80-room luxury Oberoi Resort and the 120-room property under the Trident brand, in partnership with Indian hospitality conglomerate The Ladhani Group.
Both are slated to open to guests by 2029.
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“Rishikesh is a destination of immense cultural and natural significance, and we are committed to developing resorts that celebrate its beauty while offering guests world-class experiences,” Ladhani Group Chairman Shri S.N. Ladhani, who passed away in May 2025, said in a March 2025 statement to Constro Facilitator.
On Jan. 20, the Indian branch of travel company Thomas Cook also welcomed visitors to the new Nature Trails Rishikesh resort on four acres of land next to Rajaji National Park.
The Nature Trails portfolio already has four properties in Indian cities such as Maharashtra and Goa, among others. In unveiling its expansion plan, the outdoor and experiential hospitality resort brand highlighted the rise in spiritual and outdoor wellness retreat tourism.
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