Lemon Tree Hotels in South Africa

Lemon Tree Hotels Marks 20 Years of Hospitality Excellence

Johannesburg, South Africa – June 2, 2024

Lemon Tree Hotels, a prominent name in the hospitality sector, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first hotel, Lemon Tree Hotel, Udyog Vihar in Gurugram, on May 31. This milestone marks two decades since the company embarked on its journey to become one of India’s largest hotel chains, with more than 100 hotels and over 10,000 rooms worldwide, including key markets like Dubai, Bhutan, and Nepal. (hospitalitynews.in)

Patanjali G. Keswani, Chairman and Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels, reflected on the journey, stating, “These twenty years of operational excellence are a testament to the dedication, hard work, and resilience of every single team member. I am profoundly grateful to each member of the Lemon Tree family for their relentless support through numerous challenges and triumphs.”

From its inception in 2004, Lemon Tree Hotels has been committed not only to providing excellent hospitality but also to fostering an inclusive work environment. Approximately 13% of its workforce consists of individuals with disabilities or those from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. The company has received multiple National Awards from the President of India for its efforts in employment and creating a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities. (hospitalitynews.in)

The 20th anniversary was celebrated across all its properties and the corporate office in New Delhi, emphasizing the company’s ongoing commitment to growth, diversity, and social responsibility in the hospitality industry.

Strategic Leadership Changes Announced

New Delhi, India – August 12, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited (LTH) has announced a strategic leadership reshuffle effective October 1, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. The changes are part of the company’s succession planning to ensure leadership continuity and robust governance. (hospitalitynews.in)

Patanjali Govind Keswani will continue as executive chairman of LTH and chair of the board of directors, focusing on ensuring a smooth operational handover to the new MD & CEO, accelerating expansion through an asset-light growth strategy, and providing long-term strategic oversight. Keswani will also retain his role as executive chairman of Fleur Hotels Limited (a material subsidiary), guiding its expansion plans with disciplined capital allocation and high-level governance.

At LTH, Neelendra Singh has been appointed as managing director, responsible for day-to-day operations and all business functions. With 26 years of experience, Singh’s career includes senior leadership roles at Adidas in India, South Korea, and Germany.

Kapil Sharma, a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of financial expertise, has been elevated to executive director & chief financial officer. Sharma has been with the Lemon Tree Group since 2004, playing a pivotal role in M&A activities, capital market transactions, and strategic financial management.

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Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, who joined as president in June 2025, will oversee operations, HR, and revenue management. Cheema brings 28 years of hospitality experience from leading brands such as IHG Hotels & Resorts, Oberoi Hotels, Radisson Group, Marriott International, and Carnival UK.

At Fleur Hotels Limited, Saurabh Shatdal will take charge as managing director & CEO, overseeing all operational and business functions. Shatdal’s 27-year career spans capital markets, land acquisitions, and hospitality operations, most recently as MD – Capital Markets & Land and India Head-Retail at Cushman & Wakefield.

Mayank Sharma has been appointed as chief financial officer at Fleur Hotels, bringing over 15 years of expertise in financial management, consultancy, and industry roles.

Sanjiv Jain joins as vice president – projects & engineering, responsible for hotel design, development, and renovation. Jain has 33 years of experience, with previous roles at NBCC Limited and Bloom Hotels.

The company stated that these appointments reflect its commitment to strengthening leadership depth while preparing for the next phase of growth in India’s competitive hospitality sector.

Financial Strategy: Listing of Fleur Hotels

New Delhi, India – August 10, 2024

Lemon Tree Hotels plans to list Fleur Hotels to become debt-free within six years, targeting financial stability while addressing significant debt. As of March 2024, Lemon Tree’s consolidated debt amounted to Rs 2,336 crore, with approximately 90 percent tied to Fleur Hotels. (travelandtourworld.com)

During a recent conference call with investors, Lemon Tree’s management revealed that approximately 90 percent of the company’s total debt is tied to Fleur Hotels. This financial burden has prompted the company to take decisive action, including exploring listing opportunities for the subsidiary.

The listing of Fleur Hotels is expected to unlock value within six months of being listed, according to Chairman and Managing Director Patanjali Keswani. He stated that Fleur will become a very large income generator with an EBITDA over ₹700 crore per annum. Once listed, within six months, Fleur will become debt-free and have about ₹2,000 crore of growth capital available. (madrastribune.com)

This strategic move aligns with Lemon Tree Hotels’ long-term vision of financial stability and growth, with a significant portion of its debt currently concentrated in Fleur Hotels.

Expansion Plans and New Properties

Ujjain, India – August 29, 2024

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited (LTH) has announced the signing of its newest property, Lemon Tree Hotel, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The property is expected to open in FY27 and shall be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. (business-standard.com)

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The Lemon Tree Hotel in Ujjain will offer 72 elegantly designed rooms, along with a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and various public areas. It is conveniently located with Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport in Indore about 50 kilometers away and Ujjain Railway Station just 4 kilometers from the hotel. The hotel is well-connected through both public and private road transport.

Ujjain, a historic city in Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for its rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Often referred to as the “Spiritual Capital of India,” it is home to the esteemed Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple attracts millions of pilgrims each year, underscoring the city’s significant religious importance.

“Spiritual destinations have seen a renewed interest and there has been a marked uptick in the number of pilgrims visiting places of religious and spiritual significance. Being the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’, Ujjain is on the must-visit list for pilgrims and we are thrilled to expand our presence in the city. This opening will be in addition to our four existing and two upcoming hotels in the state,” said Vilas Pawar, CEO of managed & franchise business, Lemon Tree Hotels.

These developments reflect Lemon Tree Hotels’ ongoing commitment to growth, innovation, and providing exceptional hospitality experiences across India.