The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) and its subsidiaries, collectively known as the Taj Group, are among Asia’s largest and finest hotel groups and have now made a strategic move into the luxury wellness space. This move aligns with their Accelerate 2030 strategy, under which they aim to target new white spaces in hospitality and double their consolidated revenues. IHCL is currently net cash positive with strong cash flows. There was a time, 3-4 years ago, when the group had Rs3,600 crore in debt. Today, neither the properties nor the corporation carries debt. Entering the wellness space, among other identified growth areas, reflects a strong convergence of health and hospitality. Demand in the wellness sector also tends to remain strong irrespective of market conditions.
When a place clearly articulates that it not only cares about its guests but also about the ecology of the environment, it signals serious intent. That is the reason Atmantan Wellness Resort, now in its 10th year, continues to emphasise the same philosophy, having taken several steps to ensure harmony with its natural surroundings. Its use of passive architectural techniques, renewable energy, available solar insulation and assessment of weather profiles demonstrates how sustainability principles were integrated during the design and planning stages. All this has helped make it a LEED Gold-certified project (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design).
It is no surprise that IHCL, India’s largest hospitality company, and Atmantan recently made headlines after signing agreements under which IHCL acquired a 51 per cent stake in Sparsh Infratech Private Limited, which owns the Atmantan Luxury Wellness brand. The acquisition value stood at Rs240 crore, including Rs205 crore as primary investment and Rs35 crore for a secondary stake. The founders, Nikhil and Sharmilee Kapur, will continue to manage the brand while retaining the remaining stake. The acquisition aligns with IHCL’s strategy to strengthen its premium lifestyle portfolio by leveraging Atmantan’s expertise in the wellness space.
The move also reflects the growing wellness tourism market. Today, health and fitness have become integral to people’s lifestyles, extending beyond travelleRmerely seeking respite from hectic routines. Importantly, the acquisition goes beyond proprietary expertise; it enables the expansion of the wellness platform through a collaboration designed to create a win-win situation.
A major development
Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO of IHCL, stated: “Atmantan’s holistic and unique wellness segment, along with its proven business model, seamlessly complements IHCL’s landscape. There are going to be select destinations included within our portfolio, and Atmantan is one of them.” The acquisition has clearly marked a significant development in the global wellness industry. Nikhil Kapur, founder-director of the wellness centre, also articulated plans to leverage Taj InnerCircle’s 13-million-strong customer base.
Atmantan is already a well-established luxury wellness centre, and for founders Nikhil and Sharmilee Kapur, this labour of love was born out of a belief that true wellness lies in the harmony of ‘atma’, ‘mana’ and ‘tan’ – mind, spirit and body. Sharmilee Kapur adds: “Together, we aim to make transformative wellness more accessible, with the Taj brand bringing luxury and Atmantan contributing holistic well-being.”
Nikhil Kapur, a methodical entrepreneur, Ironman triathlete and sports nutritionist, has spent over two decades in the industry and remains committed to transforming the body, mind and soul through holistic practices. It is no surprise that the Atmantan Wellness Centre, launched on World Health Day in 2016, has grown under his leadership into one of India’s most recognised wellness destinations. It is NABH-accredited, reinforcing its commitment to the highest standards in wellness and healthcare. Several signature retreats, such as the restorative physiotherapy programme, sleep sanctuary retreats and a range of corporate wellness offerings, form part of its portfolio.
Sharmilee Kapur, the other director, is an author, pranic healer and spiritual practitioner in her own right. An awardee at the World Mental Health Congress 2023 under the category of Most Prominent Leaders in Mental Health, she inherited her entrepreneurial mindset from her father of BrahmaCorp, Pune. Under her leadership, the centre has won several awards, elevating its recognition further. As a woman entrepreneur who firmly believes that anything is possible, her philosophy is deeply reflected in Atmantan. She personally mentors the team and promotes the centre as a non-judgemental healing space advocating a disease-reversing lifestyle. Due to her strong belief in physiotherapy, every guest at Atmantan undergoes a compulsory physiotherapy assessment, which has helped many identify and address concerns before they reach a critical stage.
A conservationist’s dream
Truly transformative, the wellness centre sits atop a crystal hill believed to lend the land a healing frequency. Located in Maharashtra, it is spread across 26 acres overlooking Mulshi Lake and nestled within the Sahyadri Hills. This 97-key luxury centre offers programmes rooted in Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, nutrition, counselling, coaching and fitness.
Besides all this, Atmantan is also a conservationist’s dream. It has the largest solar hot-water installation for a resort in the country. Evacuated tube collectors have been deployed because they are highly efficient and capable of heating water even on cloudy days. Its sewage treatment plant, called the Solid Immobilised Bio-Filter (SIBF) system, is also highly innovative. The resort uses treated, chemical-free water from this plant for all landscaping needs, thereby avoiding chemical residues or toxic materials entering the food chain. It is an eco-friendly, natural and non-conventional treatment system based on ecological engineering.
Fly ash (industrial waste) was used in its RCC works during construction, as per approved ISO RCC design mixes. In addition, fly ash was also used in brick masonry works. Fly ash is a waste product from coal-fired power plants, and since India derives nearly 65 per cent of its power from coal, its reuse significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption associated with conventional construction materials. Vermiculture practices are also followed, with all wet kitchen waste converted into vermicompost – a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser and soil conditioner used for on-site plantations. Construction waste materials, including cement bags and steel, have also been recycled. No environmentally hazardous paints, wood finishes, varnishes or harmful finishing products were used during the resort’s construction. Special attention has also been given to planting flora suited to the site’s soil and climatic conditions, ensuring thriving landscapes and organic vegetable gardens throughout the year.
Atmantan has adopted energy-efficient VRV systems for its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning requirements. Only battery-operated vehicles and bicycles are used for internal transport. Separate ancillary projects have been implemented for borewell recharge, groundwater replenishment and rainwater harvesting. Several man-made lily ponds have also been created across the resort. Excavated topsoil has been preserved and reused for landscaping and plantation activities.
Considering that we are living in an increasingly volatile world shaped by geopolitical tensions, climate events and recurring crises, this move by a hospitality group is a welcome one. Looking ahead, Atmantan plans further expansion, including a new 100-room centre in Hyderabad expected by 2028-29, along with future developments in Kerala and other regions.