ITC Hotel Group has signed a management contract with South City Projects to operate a 30-key wellness-focused boutique hotel on Basanti Highway.

To be operated under the ‘Storii’ brand, this would be ITC’s fourth hotel in Calcutta and the ninth in Bengal, including four under development. The property, owned and being constructed by South City, will be ready in the early part of 2024.

This is ITC’s second management contract in as many months. In September, ITC signed a management contract for a resort in Kalimpong under the Welcomhotel brand.

Previously, South City had tied up with the Carnoustie group, which operates a luxury wellness resort near Kochi in Kerala, to manage the wellness part, which is spread over a 40,000 square feet area.

However, the Calcutta-based prominent developer consortium decided to go with ITC for their brand pull and marketing strength for its maiden hospitality foray. The hospitality section is part of a villa project spread over 55 acres which South City is developing.

The hotel, located about 16 kilometre away from E.M. Bypass near Bantala, will be close to the ITC’s luxury hospitality complex comprising ITC Sonar and ITC Royal Bengal.

Pointing out that ITC Hotel already has a strong presence in Calcutta, Anil Chadha, divisional chief executive, ITC Hotels, said, “The addition of this property represents our commitment to enrich the tourism landscape of eastern India with each of our differentiated brands offering a varied choice of experiences to travellers.”

Ravi Todi, director of South City Projects, said the hotel could become a destination for staycations in and around Calcutta with a focus on spa.

Positioned in the premium boutique segment, there are three Storii properties in operation across India; two in Goa and one in Dharamshala.