Cinnamon Hotels mulls expanding beyond Lanka, Maldives

CH&R is planning to open its 16th property, Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort, in the island nation by the second half of CY24

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts (CH&R), one of the largest luxury hotel chains in Sri Lanka, is planning to expand its footprint beyond Sri Lanka and Maldives and has started evaluating options, said its chief commercial officer Christian Pertl.

“We would like to leverage the Cinnamon brand for international expansion. We have started evaluating the countries and partners that will go with our brand,” he said in an interview.

Right now, CH&R has 15 properties — eight resorts and three hotels in Sri Lanka with 2,100 keys and four resorts in Maldives with 450 keys. It is eyeing India, Middle East and Asia for expansion.

“We have a clear mandate and are looking at opportunities and no time frame has been fixed. Our strategy is to have asset light model,” he said.

He also said that they have sufficient land bank in the island country and would be looking to monetise it either for development or for setting up joint venture projects.

CH&R is planning to open its 16 th property, Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort, in the island nation by the second half of CY24.

“It is going to be a game changer and place Cinnamon among the top luxury brands in Sri Lanka. It will have residential towers, mall, office towers, two hotels with 800 keys and Casino. Currently, we are looking to tie-up with best operator to run the casino,” he said.