The ongoing AI Impact Summit in New Delhi is driving a sharp rise in hotel room rates, affecting not just the capital but also nearby cities such as Gurugram, Noida, and Faridabad. With the summit scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam, luxury and mid-scale hotels across the NCR region are reporting rates significantly higher than those in early March.
In Gurugram, the spike is most pronounced at high-end properties. At The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences, a Panoramic Suite for February 18 check-in is priced at Rs 6.15 lakh, more than three times the Rs 1.9 lakh rate for March 9. Similarly, The Westin Gurgaon’s Royal Suite totals Rs 2.10 lakh compared to Rs 90,860 in March. Le Meridien Gurgaon shows Executive Lounge Access at Rs 66,788 versus Rs 45,548 in March, while a 1 King Bed Guest Room is Rs 47,200 versus Rs 25,960. Mid-range hotels like Lemon Tree Premier and Radisson Gurugram also saw rates nearly double.
Noida is experiencing some of the steepest percentage increases. Savoy Suites’ Suite Room (Twin Bed) jumps from Rs 13,989 in March to Rs 89,208 on February 18. Bloom Hotel and Sandal Suites by Lemon Tree show similar multi-fold increases. Faridabad sees moderate but noticeable hikes, with Radisson Blu’s Superior Room rising from Rs 15,611 to Rs 25,090 and Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa from Rs 17,228 to Rs 18,880.
The surge reflects strong demand not only in Delhi but across the NCR, as overflow from central Delhi pushes up occupancy in neighbouring business hubs. Premium hotels are charging 50% to over 200% more than early March rates, highlighting the impact of large-scale international events on room pricing.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 is attracting global policymakers, technology leaders, and AI innovators including Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai. The event is being seen as the first major AI summit in the Global South, contributing to high occupancy rates and extended corporate stays in the region.
Industry experts note that 2026 has begun on a strong note for the hospitality sector. Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism Hospitality Skill Council, said March is typically a peak season due to corporate travel and weddings, and the AI Summit has further boosted demand.
However, the surge in room rates has drawn criticism. Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai called Rs 30 lakh per night “absurd” on X, saying it damages India’s image and discourages overseas visitors. Similarly, Anil Kalsi of FAITH noted that hotel supply continues to lag demand. He urged government incentives for new hotel construction, easier access to capital, and reduced approvals to expand capacity, noting that India has only 18,500 hotel rooms compared to larger global cities.
