Pune’s rise as a technology and enterprise hub is reshaping its hospitality landscape. Riding this shift, Olive by Embassy, the tech-led hospitality brand of Embassy Group, has entered the city with two new properties in Baner and Wakad, marking its first foray into the Pune market.
The dual launch reflects a clear strategy. As business travel rebounds and long-stay demand grows, mid-market hotels that prioritise efficiency, location and technology are gaining ground. Olive’s entry positions it squarely within this trend.
Two Locations, One Clear Strategy
Olive Hotel Baner, with 48 keys, is located in one of Pune’s most established business-lifestyle neighbourhoods. Baner’s proximity to commercial districts, corporate offices and social infrastructure makes it a natural choice for professionals who want convenience without being removed from the city’s activity.
Olive Hotel Wakad, a 30-key property, is aimed at a slightly different but equally important audience. Wakad has emerged as a high-demand zone for professionals commuting to Hinjewadi, India’s largest IT hub. With quick access to the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and Westgate Business Park, the hotel is designed for IT consultants, project teams and long-stay corporate travellers.
Together, the two properties allow Olive to address different segments of Pune’s business traveller base while staying within a compact operational footprint.
Why Pune Matters in Olive’s Expansion Playbook
Pune has quietly become one of India’s most resilient business travel markets. Its IT ecosystem, manufacturing base, startup culture and expanding infrastructure continue to draw a steady flow of professionals throughout the year.
For Olive by Embassy, Pune represents a logical next step in its metro-focused expansion. The brand already has a presence in cities such as Bengaluru, Mysore, Chikmagalur and Vijayawada. Adding Pune strengthens its West India presence and diversifies its urban portfolio beyond its southern stronghold.
“Pune is a powerhouse of innovation and enterprise,” said Kahraman Yigit, CEO and co-founder of Olive by Embassy. “There is a clear demand for smart accommodation that matches the pace and expectations of working professionals.”
A Tech-Led Hospitality Model
Olive’s differentiation lies in its technology-first operating model. The brand relies heavily on automation and artificial intelligence to manage pricing, bookings, operations and guest services. This allows it to keep costs under control while delivering consistent service across locations.
Guests typically interact with minimal front-desk processes, faster check-ins and digitally managed services. For corporate travellers who value speed and predictability, this model has proven effective, particularly for short stays and extended work assignments.
The company recently pushed this approach further with the launch of Open Hotels, billed as the world’s first remotely operated AI-led hotel platform. It has also announced a partnership with Hilton to roll out 150 Spark hotels, signalling its ambition to scale rapidly using technology as a backbone.
Targeting the IT and Corporate Traveller
Both Baner and Wakad have been chosen with a specific profile in mind. Pune’s IT workforce, project consultants and visiting executives often look for accommodation that is functional rather than luxurious, well-connected rather than central, and flexible rather than rigid.
Olive’s rooms are designed to meet these needs, focusing on comfort, reliable connectivity and efficient service. Long-stay guests, in particular, benefit from predictable pricing and locations close to work hubs, reducing commute stress in a city where traffic has become a growing concern.
Pune as a Long-Term Growth Anchor
The two hotels are only the beginning. Pune is expected to play a central role in Olive by Embassy’s long-term plans for western India. The company is targeting over 40 hotels and more than 1,200 keys in the city by 2030.
High-growth corridors such as Hinjewadi, Pimpri Chinchwad, Hadapsar, Kalyani Nagar, MG Road, Viman Nagar and Koregaon Park are firmly on its radar. These areas combine office clusters, residential catchments and social infrastructure, making them ideal for Olive’s business-led hospitality format.
Part of a Larger National Push
Nationally, Olive by Embassy has set itself an aggressive expansion agenda. The company plans to add more than 100 new locations in 2026 alone, spanning metros, emerging cities and key business destinations.
This expansion is being driven by a combination of organic growth, partnerships and technology-led operational efficiencies. By standardising processes and reducing dependency on large on-site teams, Olive believes it can scale faster without compromising margins.
Competition Heats Up in Mid-Market Hospitality
Olive’s Pune entry also highlights intensifying competition in India’s mid-market hotel segment. As corporate travel stabilises post-pandemic and companies seek cost-effective accommodation options, brands that can balance pricing, location and technology are gaining an edge.
Pune, with its steady flow of IT and manufacturing professionals, is fast becoming a test bed for such models. Olive’s performance here will likely influence how quickly it rolls out additional properties in similar cities.
Looking Ahead
With its Baner and Wakad launches, Olive by Embassy has signalled that it sees Pune not as a one-off opportunity but as a long-term growth market. The focus on tech-enabled operations, strategic micro-locations and business travellers aligns well with the city’s evolving profile.
As India’s work patterns change and professionals move frequently between cities, hospitality brands that understand these shifts are likely to stay ahead. For Olive, Pune could well become one of its most important metro stories in the years to come.
