Oaks Hotels & Resorts, the Australian brand acquired by Thailand’s Minor Hotels, has made its debut in India with the opening of the opening of Oaks Bodhgaya.

The new hotel is located in the town of Bodhgaya in the Indian state of Bihar – a popular pilgrimmage site where Buddha is said to have found enlightenment sitting under the Bodhi Tree. The Bodhgaya temple complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Oaks hotel is situated 3.5km from Mahabodhi Temple and 10km from Vishnupad Temple, as well as being 7km from Gaya International Airport. A new-build property, it features 78 rooms and suites, plus a gymnasium, a rooftop meditation space, library and an international restaurant. For the MICE market there is also a banqueting hall.

“We are very excited to announce the opening of Oaks Bodhgaya which represents Minor Hotels’ debut in India,” said Thomas Meier, Minor’s senior vice president of operations – Asia. “Minor Hotels has been looking for the right opportunity to expand its footprint into India.”

The property has been developed in partnership with GP Group and Top Travel & Tours at a cost of US$6.7 million.

Oaks Hotels & Resorts now operates more than 50 properties across five countries – Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, India and the UAE.