Kathmandu—AB Holdings, a company focused on project development and equity investment, is set to launch two chain hotels with an investment exceeding Rs. 5 billion in Kathmandu and outside the valley.

For the first time in Nepal, AB Holdings is introducing the French multinational hospitality company Accor’s renowned brand, ‘Mercure,’ marking its expansion in the hotel industry. While Nepal has already welcomed international hospitality chains from countries such as India, the USA, Thailand, and Cambodia, AB Holdings is bringing the French brand to Kathmandu, further diversifying the sector.

AB Holdings has introduced the Mercure brand at The Metropolitan Hotel. Located in Sukedhara, Kathmandu, the ‘Mercure Kathmandu Hotel’ is set to open with an investment of over Rs. 3 billion. Additionally, the company is bringing the American multinational hotel chain, ‘Wyndham Hotels & Resorts,’ to Nepal. Under this chain, AB Holdings will launch the ‘Ramada’ brand at the Grand Central Hotel in Itahari, Sunsari, which is currently in its final construction phase.

Chairman Deshbandhu Basnet stated that the Itahari-based hotel under the Ramada chain will be fully operational from Baisakh 1, 2082 (April 13, 2025). Similarly, the Mercure Kathmandu Hotel will officially open on Magh 2, 2081 (January 15, 2025).

Mercure in Kathmandu and Ramada in Itahari

According to Basnet, the combined investment for these two hotels exceeds Rs. 5 billion. Nepal is now the 111th country to introduce the Accor brand, highlighting its entry into the Nepali market.

Basnet emphasized that this investment would make a significant contribution to Nepal’s infrastructure and hospitality sector. The Mercure Kathmandu Hotel alone is expected to generate employment opportunities for around 220 people, both directly and indirectly.

Accor currently operates in 110 countries, managing 5,700 hotels under 45 different brands. The Mercure Kathmandu Hotel spans six ropanis of land and includes 104 rooms. AB Holdings has prioritized investments in sectors such as hospitality and tourism, agriculture, healthcare, energy, technology, and education.

Ramada Hotel in Itahari to Feature Five-Star Amenities

Basnet added that the Itahari-based Ramada Hotel, which also aims for a five-star rating, is in the process of obtaining official certification. A deal has already been signed with Wyndham for the brand’s operations.

The Ramada Hotel will feature 80 premium rooms, a conference and meeting hall, banquet hall, restaurant and pub, swimming pool, gym, and wellness facilities. Wyndham, one of the largest hotel chains globally, manages 9,100 hotels across 95 countries.

These developments highlight Nepal’s growing appeal as a global hospitality destination and are expected to significantly bolster the country’s tourism and economic prospects.