ITC entered the hotels business in 1975 with the acquisition of a hotel in Chennai, which was then rechristened ITC Chola. Since then the ITC-Welcomgroup brand has become synonymous with Indian hospitality. With over 90 hotels in 77 destinations, ITC-Welcomgroup has set new standards of excellence in the hotel industry in Accommodation, Cuisine, Environment and Guest Safety. ITC's Hotels business is one of India's finest and fastest growing hospitality chains. ITC Hotels' commitment to delivering globally benchmarked services, embedded in a culture deeply rooted in India's rich tradition of hospitality, gives it a unique and distinct identity.

ITC-Welcomgroup pioneered the holistic concept of 'branded accommodation' in the hospitality industry. It was the first to launch the idea of a 'Hotel within a Hotel' by segmenting, customizing and branding hotel services like 'ITC One', 'Towers' and the 'Executive Club'. Each of these caters to specialized needs of the global business traveller with unmatched quality and a range of custom-made services.

ITC-Welcomgroup was the first to introduce branded cuisine. Its restaurants Bukhara, Dakshin and DumPukht are today powerful cuisine brands. ITC-Welcomgroup also showcases international cuisine in its specialty restaurants West View and Pan Asian.

ITC has strategically customized its hotels and appropriately categorized them to fulfill the service and budgetary needs of travellers. ITC-Welcomgroup has an exclusive tie-up with global partner Starwood for its top of the line premium brand, the 'Luxury Collection'. ITC Hotels was also instrumental in bringing the 'Sheraton' brand to India, with which it enjoyed a three-decade exclusive partnership.