Gujarat JHM Hotels (GJHM), owned by the Rama family, in collaboration with U.S.-based Auro Hotels, signed a hotel management agreement with Marriott International to bring the iconic luxury brand, JW Marriott to Surat, Gujarat. The agreement was signed by Rajeev Menon- President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International and DJ Rama, President & CEO of Auro Hotels at the owners’ meeting held at the Surat Marriott Hotel on January 11, 2024

The JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa will be GJHM’s third Marriott International hotel in Surat, following the Surat Marriott Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott Surat.  The JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa is expected to feature over 300 guestrooms and villas, four food and beverage outlets covering six different cuisines and a full -service JW Lounge. Plans also include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, a plush spa with a salon as well as a Kids’ Club.  Additionally, the hotel is expected to feature 10,000 sq. feet of meeting and ballroom space making it a prime destination for medium to large scale events.

Positioned as an “urban resort,” the JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa will blend distinct design styles that include luxury but with contemporary touches. The hotel will aim to offer highly elevated experiences for domestic and international travelers.

“We are very pleased to grow our relationship with Gujarat JHM Hotels (GJHM) and introduce the JW Marriott brand to Surat, a market that is witnessing substantial growth and development. Gujarat JHM Hotels (GJHM) is an ideal fit with its vision centered around innovation, creativity and design, while the JW Marriott brand resonates a legacy of extraordinary hospitality.” said Rajeev Menon, President Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.

The new JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa will be built on the Earthspace campus where Auro University – the Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Center and the Courtyard by Marriott Surat are currently located. The proximity of the hotel to these educational resources will allow Gujarat JHM a unique opportunity to intertwine the hotel operations with Auro University to develop future leaders for the hospitality industry.

Gujarat JHM’s master plan for the Earthspace development project is to build a cohesive space where people can work, eat, play, and live. Earthspace is located in Hazira, a suburb of Surat. Hazira is conveniently located at 20 minutes from the Surat International Airport and sits in close proximity to the City Centre and Surat’s diamond and textile hub. In addition to the JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa, Auro is also developing the Earthspace Convention Center spread across with 100,000 sq. ft., which includes a column-free 42,000 sq. ft. ballroom with the capacity to accommodate approx. 4,200 people (banquet style). This new facility will help attract large, national conferences and exhibitions to Surat in the near future.  The JW Marriott Surat Resort & Spa will play a key role in the development of a social, convention and meeting destination offering world class facilities, spurring incredible growth and vibrancy in Surat.

“As an organization we are proud of our affiliation with Marriott International, and the way it has evolved over the years,” says DJ Rama, President and CEO of Auro Hotels: “The first Marriott property in our portfolio was a Fairfield Inn in North Carolina, USA in 1997, followed soon after by a full-service Marriott Hotels property in 2002. Our strategic partnership with Marriott International has been vital to our success and will help us grow our footprint in Surat, supporting India’s incredible growth trajectory. We recognize the historic significance of the addition of the upscale JW Marriott brand into our portfolio, taking us to new heights. My forefathers left India to pursue their American dream which has now afforded us the ability to come back to India to pursue a new dream in our home country. What a full circle moment for us on our 50-year anniversary in the hotel business.”

GJHM reaffirms their commitment to Surat’s progress with this new venture. HP Rama, Chairman of GJHM said: “As we embark on this project with Marriott International in the vibrant city of Surat, we embrace not just an agreement but a shared vision for holistic progress. Our commitment transcends business; it’s a spiritual alignment towards uplifting communities and fostering enduring prosperity. Together, we lay the foundation for an impactful collaboration that recognizes the interconnectedness of economic growth and the well-being of citizens.”