Lumbini Palace Resort signs management deal with Marriott to rebrand as Lumbini Marriott Resort & Spa
KATHMANDU: Lumbini Palace Resort on Wednesday announced that it has signed a hotel management agreement with Marriott International to rebrand and upgrade its Siyari property as the Lumbini Marriott Resort & Spa. The move follows three consecutive years of profitable operations and marks Marriott’s first presence in Nepal outside the Kathmandu Valley.
The agreement with Global Hospitality Licensing SARL (Marriott International) was finalised in the presence of senior leaders from both organisations. Lumbini Palace Resort was represented by Chairman Deepak Pandey and Managing Director Roshan Kumar Neupane. Marriott’s delegation included Neeraj Govil, Chief Operations Officer for Asia Pacific; Kiran Andicott, Senior Vice‑President for development in South Asia; and Juhi Roy, Vice‑President for development in South Asia. The resort aims to secure an official five‑star operating licence by the end of the current fiscal year.
The redeveloped property will be promoted as Nepal’s first and only Water Resort, featuring high‑tech attractions such as musical fountains and 3D water screens, motorboating and mini cruises, and a dedicated water restaurant and water spa. Developers say the resort will combine futuristic leisure facilities with wellness and environmental credentials.
Designed as a Green Certified (Gold) wellness retreat and eco‑resort, the project will follow international standards for environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainable development. It is being developed as a multi‑speciality complex with infrastructure to support major sports played in Nepal, with the intention of positioning the region as a hub for sports tourism.
The resort will also be marketed as Nepal’s first organic five‑star wellness luxury resort, promoting naturotherapy and organic‑certified practices aimed at sustainable human health. To honour the heritage of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the site will incorporate a Buddha theme park with mini stupas, a mini Buddha museum, dedicated meditation zones and cultural centres.
To ensure international service standards, Lumbini Palace Resort has appointed Vijayananmaran Sanmugam as vice‑president of operations and asset development. He brings more than 27 years of national and international hotel‑management experience. A team of international experts has also been engaged as management and asset‑development consultants.
The company says the resort is being positioned as a destination for international conferences, destination weddings and holistic tourism spanning water, eco, wellness, sports and culture. Beyond tourism, the project is expected to boost the local economy through job creation and the promotion of local products. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for an initial public offering to invite public investment in the development.
