Fern Hotels Signs 35-Key Desert Inn Beacon in Rann of Kutch
The Fern Hotels & Resorts signs the 35-room Desert Inn Beacon in the Greater Rann of Kutch, expanding its Gujarat portfolio to 37 properties.
nishathapa 
Kutch, April 2026: The Fern Hotels & Resorts has signed a new hospitality project, Desert Inn Beacon, in the Greater Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The upcoming 35-room property is scheduled to open in the first half of 2026, further expanding the group’s footprint in the state.
With this signing, the company’s portfolio in Gujarat will grow to 37 operational and pipeline properties, reflecting a continued focus on strengthening presence in high-potential regional markets.
35-room property planned for Greater Rann of Kutch
The Desert Inn Beacon will feature 35 rooms and suites, catering to leisure travellers visiting the Rann of Kutch as well as guests seeking experiential stays in the region. The development will include an all-day dining restaurant and event facilities designed to accommodate both business and social gatherings.
In addition to accommodation and dining, the property will offer recreational amenities, including a swimming pool, positioning it as a full-service hospitality option within a destination primarily driven by seasonal tourism.
The project is being developed in collaboration with local partners and is expected to enhance the availability of branded accommodation in the region.
Expansion strengthens Gujarat portfolio to 37 properties
The signing adds to the company’s growing presence in Gujarat, a market that continues to see increasing demand from both domestic and international travellers. With this addition, The Fern Hotels & Resorts will have a total of 37 properties across operational and upcoming categories in the state.
The expansion aligns with the group’s broader strategy of scaling its portfolio through management contracts and partnerships, particularly in regions witnessing tourism growth supported by infrastructure development.
Gujarat has emerged as a key focus area for the company, driven by a mix of leisure destinations, pilgrimage circuits, and industrial hubs that generate consistent travel demand.
Focus on emerging leisure destinations
The Greater Rann of Kutch has gained prominence as a major tourism destination in recent years, particularly during seasonal events and cultural festivals that attract large visitor volumes. The signing of Desert Inn Beacon reflects a strategic move to tap into this demand by introducing a branded hospitality offering in the region.
By entering emerging leisure destinations, the company aims to capture early-stage market opportunities where organised hotel supply remains limited but demand is steadily increasing.
The property is expected to cater to a diverse mix of guests, including leisure tourists, cultural travellers, and small groups attending events or gatherings in the region.
Partnership-led development approach
The project is being developed in partnership with local stakeholders, including Hotel Desert Inn, reinforcing the company’s asset-light expansion model. This approach allows the operator to scale efficiently while leveraging local expertise and market knowledge.
According to company leadership, Gujarat continues to offer strong growth potential supported by tourism development, infrastructure improvements, and increasing commercial activity across the state.
The collaboration is expected to deliver a hospitality product that aligns with the evolving expectations of travellers, combining location-driven experiences with standardised service offerings.
Timeline and operational outlook
The Desert Inn Beacon is scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2026. Once opened, it will contribute to the company’s inventory in western India and strengthen its positioning in leisure-driven destinations.
The signing underscores a broader trend within the hospitality sector, where operators are expanding into non-metro and experiential destinations to diversify their portfolios and capture new demand segments.
As the Rann of Kutch continues to attract tourism interest, the addition of branded hotels is expected to support the region’s hospitality infrastructure and improve accommodation standards for visitors.
