A major hospitality investment project underway in eastern Nepal has entered a new phase after the ownership of a large-scale luxury hotel under construction in Dhulabari was officially transferred to a new investor group, paving the way for the entry of an internationally recognized hotel brand into the region.
The under-construction project, previously developed as Hotel Eastern Nepal Limited under the ownership of businessman and Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka, has now been sold entirely to New Infra Haven Group Holdings, a company owned by businessman “Rajesh Kumar Soni”. Following the acquisition, the luxury property will now operate under the internationally recognized Holiday Inn Express & Suites brand, marking one of the most significant international hospitality expansions in eastern Nepal.
International Hotel Brand to Strengthen Eastern Nepal Hospitality Market
As part of the ownership transition, the hotel project has secured collaboration with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading international hospitality companies, which will manage and operate the property under its globally established Holiday Inn brand portfolio. The partnership is expected to significantly enhance the project’s market positioning and bring international service standards to Nepal’s rapidly growing eastern tourism corridor.
This is not the first collaboration between Deepak Khadka’s family and IHG. The family is already associated with another IHG-operated hospitality property, the Holiday Inn Resort located in Kathmandu’s Budhanilkantha area, reflecting their earlier involvement with international hotel partnerships. Industry experts say the arrival of globally recognized hospitality brands into secondary markets outside Kathmandu signals increasing investor confidence in Nepal’s expanding tourism infrastructure.
Rs 3.26 Billion Investment Project Moving Rapidly
The luxury hotel project is currently being developed with an estimated total investment of approximately Rs 3.26 billion. Project officials say construction work has already reached nearly 70 percent physical completion, while 58 percent financial progress has been recorded so far.
The investment structure shows that around Rs 2.28 billion in debt financing has already been secured, with the project structured under a 70 percent loan and 30 percent equity financing model. Construction activities are currently progressing at a fast pace as developers prepare the property for commercial launch. The project is expected to begin commercial operations by October 2026, with full operational capacity anticipated from 2027 onward.
Five-Star Hotel Designed for Premium Travelers
Once completed, the five-star hotel will feature 98 to 99 luxury guest rooms equipped to serve both domestic and international travelers. The property is being designed as a premium hospitality destination offering a wide range of upscale facilities aimed at business travelers, leisure tourists, and high-end international guests.
According to project details, the hotel will include all-day dining restaurants, rooftop dining facilities, conference and banquet halls, casino operations, swimming pool, spa services, gymnasium, meeting spaces, and extensive parking facilities. Developers say the hotel has been designed to provide luxury hospitality experiences while catering to the growing demand for premium accommodation options in eastern Nepal. Tourism analysts believe such facilities could significantly elevate the quality of hospitality services available in the region.
Strategic Border Location Adds Strong Commercial Advantage
The hotel project is strategically located in Dhulabari Chowk of Jhapa district, spread across approximately five bighas of land. Industry observers say the location offers a major commercial advantage due to its close proximity to important regional transport and border access points.
The property lies near the Kakarbhitta Border Point, one of Nepal’s busiest international border gateways connecting Nepal and India. The hotel is also located just 15 kilometers from Chandragadhi Airport in Bhadrapur, improving accessibility for domestic air travelers.
In addition, India’s Bagdogra Airport, a major airport serving eastern India, is located only 25 kilometers away, making the hotel highly accessible for Indian travelers and international visitors entering the region. This strategic positioning is expected to attract both business and leisure travelers from Nepal and neighboring India.
Growing Tourism Potential in Eastern Nepal
Tourism experts say eastern Nepal, particularly Jhapa district, is increasingly emerging as an important tourism and business gateway. The region serves as a major transit point connecting Nepal with India and offers access to several growing tourism destinations in eastern Nepal and nearby Indian states.
As tourism infrastructure improves and cross-border travel demand rises, demand for internationally branded premium hotels has also increased significantly. Industry observers believe the Holiday Inn Express & Suites project could become a landmark hospitality development capable of transforming eastern Nepal’s accommodation sector. The surrounding region is known for its scenic landscapes and serves as a gateway to multiple tourism destinations across both Nepal and India.
New Investor Group Takes Over After Previous Deal Collapse
Industry sources say the hotel project had previously attracted interest from TBI Group, which was reportedly considering acquiring the property. However, after those negotiations failed to move forward, New Infra Haven Group Holdings entered the project and finalized the acquisition.
The new ownership structure is expected to accelerate project completion while strengthening the hotel’s long-term commercial outlook through international brand management. With the arrival of Holiday Inn Express & Suites and growing foreign-standard hospitality infrastructure outside Kathmandu, tourism stakeholders believe eastern Nepal is entering a new phase of hospitality development that could attract stronger domestic, cross-border, and international travel demand in the years ahead.
