Sayonara Standard Stays: OYO’s SUNDAY Brings Tokyo to Gurugram

In a follow-through that is both bold and revolutionary, SUNDAY, OYO's high-end brand, has launched India's first Japanese-themed hotel in Gurugram. Situated in the upscale M3M SkyLoft on New Golf Course Road Extension, the 217-room hotel is a cultural blend designed to bring an authentic Nippon experience into the heart of India's urban landscape.

Cultural Highlights

The hotel features a classic Ofuro (Japanese soaking bath) and Japanese Hammam for authentic well-being rituals.

A 20-seat specialty restaurant offering a well-chosen variety of sushi, ramen, udon, donburi, tofu, and onigiri.

Spaces take cues from Japanese minimalist aesthetics like tatami mats and minimalist lines.

Design and Hospitality Touchpoints

Japanese-speaking staff offer convenient communication and comfort for Japanese visitors.

There is a separate 54-room Japanese long-stay business visitors and expatriates wing.

The hotel occupies 50,000 square feet of space, and it is already India's largest SUNDAY Hotel.

Strategic Intent

The launch is a part of a comprehensive MoU between Oravel Stays (parent company of OYO) and M3M for developing upscale hospitality real estate in Gurugram and NOIDA.

Gurugram was selected due to its huge Japanese expatriate base and high demand for culturally sensitive hospitality.

The hotel is already seeing bookings by Japanese corporations for visiting employees.

Market Relevance

The growth is fueled by the growing interest in Japanese food, culture, and wellness in India, induced by anime, J-dramas, and global tourism trends.

It also points to a broader movement toward experiential hospitality, where design and cultural experience are on par with comfort.

What's Next

SUNDAY Hotels intends to apply this model in other metros such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Pune.

The May 2023 launch of the Kasa brand, via a joint venture with Softbank, is establishing the brand as a leader in high-end hospitality that is culturally inspired. 

Sources: Economic Times, NewsBytes, Hotelier India, ET TravelWorld, Hospitality News India