Pune's Rising Hospitality Sector: The Westin Pune Koregaon Park Leads the Way
Pune is rapidly catching up with Mumbai in terms of hospitality and real estate, with The Westin Pune Koregaon Park at the forefront of this growth. Located in the premium Koregaon Park, the hotel offers premium services and facilities, making it a preferred choice for business and leisure travelers alike.
PuneHospitalityReal EstateThe Westin Pune Koregaon ParkMarriott InternationalReal Estate PuneJun 02, 2025
“The best thing about the hotel is that we are centrally located. Our location in Koregaon Park is premium, and we are just a 15-minute drive from the airport. We are in the heart of Pune’s major business districts, including Kharadi, Magarpatta City, Viman Nagar, and Koregaon Park itself,” said Victor Chen, General Manager of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park and Co-Chairman of the Marriott India Business Council.
The 277-room hotel is a destination known for its food and beverage offerings, with four F&B outlets, and large events and banquet facilities. The hotel’s imposing structure makes it a standout landmark for visitors. “We are a destination known for food and beverage. We are a destination for events because we have large banquet spaces. We host annual days for large corporations with over 2,000 associates, and we can accommodate weddings for up to 2,000 people, as well as smaller, intimate weddings,” Chen informed.
The hotel has begun renovating its rooms, with 70 percent of the room inventory expected to have a new look and feel by the end of the year. Chen, who has spent 17 years in the Western part of the country, handling senior responsibilities in Mumbai, Goa, and now Pune, has a clear business vision for the region.
While Mumbai is the commercial capital of India, Pune is rapidly catching up. “Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. Having said that, Pune is at its own pace now and is catching up with the pace of Mumbai. Mumbai city occupancy is between 75 percent to 80 percent, the highest in the country. Pune is averaging between 60 to 65 percent city occupancy,” Chen said. Pune’s business prospects are changing dramatically with the establishment of new banking and financial institutions and the development of new industrial complexes.
The proposal for a new airport in the city is also seen as a major game-changer, addressing the current lack of adequate air capacity. Chen noted that the current business patterns in the hotel are driven by corporate demand on weekdays and staycations and social events on weekends. “We see a lot of guests coming in from neighboring cities of Maharashtra. We host weddings from Solapur, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Nashik, and Nagpur, among others,” he added.
From a consumer loyalty standpoint, Chen emphasized the strong presence of Marriott International in Pune, offering a range of products from luxury (Ritz Carlton) to JW Marriott and Marriott Suites, to Sheraton Grand, and Courtyard by Marriott to Four Points. “80 percent of our business is driven by BonVoy members,” he said.
Chen also heads the Marriott India Business Council, overseeing around 55 hotels in the western region. The council’s primary responsibility is to inculcate and spread Marriott culture through various CSR activities. “My responsibility is to drive these hotels to have activities focused on sustainability, culture, CSR, and the environment. We have monthly, quarterly, and annual activities under the Business Council,” he stated.
Marriott India is planning a major plantation drive across India as part of World Environment Day, and the Business Council will be driving this initiative across locations. Chen also shared details about Project Pranita, a Marriott initiative to empower, educate, and employ young women from underprivileged backgrounds. “We have adopted around 250 girls across all hotels in India. We are sponsoring their education in hospitality management through IGNOU. Our training manager assists them with their assignments and studies, and they also spend nine hours with us as apprentices, undergoing departmental and skill training. In three years, they will have a formal education certificate and be skilled in hotel operations,” he said.
Chen addressed the challenges related to talent and staff attrition, common in the industry. By focusing on staff welfare initiatives, he has managed to keep attrition rates low. “We are very conscious about staff welfare. We ensure a healthy culture in the hotel and an environment of learning and development. Last year, our attrition was only 14 percent, compared to the industry average of 25-30 percent,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most premium real estate location in Pune?
Koregaon Park is the most premium real estate location in Pune, offering both residential and business advantages.
How many hotels does Marriott International operate in Pune?
Marriott International operates nine hotels in Pune, including The Westin Pune Koregaon Park.
What are the key features of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park?
The Westin Pune Koregaon Park has 277 rooms, four F&B outlets, and large events and banquet facilities, making it a destination for food and events.
How is Pune's hospitality sector catching up with Mumbai?
Pune is rapidly catching up with Mumbai in terms of hotel occupancy and business prospects, with the establishment of new banking and financial institutions and the development of new industrial complexes.
What is Project Pranita by Marriott International?
Project Pranita is a Marriott initiative to empower, educate, and employ young women from underprivileged backgrounds by providing them with hospitality management education and on-the-job training.
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