New Delhi’s five-star hotels are seeing full occupancy and record-breaking room rates ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit. The city is hosting multiple major events at the same time, including a taxation meet at Bharat Mandapam, a paper expo at Yashobhoomi, a UNESCO conference, and several high-profile weddings.
According to TOI, the “Putin factor,” along with several high-profile events in the national capital, has pushed non-suite room tariffs this weekend to between Rs 85,000 and Rs 1.3 lakh, hotel officials said.
Where will Putin stay in India?
Putin will arrive in India on the evening of December 4 and attend a private dinner with Prime Minister Modi at around 7pm. The main events will begin on December 5. According to a report from the Times of India, Putin will stay at the 4,700-square-foot Grand Presidential Suite at ITC Maurya. The hotel has previously hosted US presidents, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Bill Clinton.
The Presidential suite features two bedrooms, a reception area, a living room, a study, a 12-seater private dining room, a mini-spa, and a gym. According to TOI, ITC Maurya’s restaurants — Bukhara and Dum-Pukht, are preparing special menu items for the Russian president and his delegation. Security at the hotel is being coordinated by both Indian and Russian agencies.
For his two-day visit, the hotel has been fully reserved. Every room is booked, corridors are barricaded, and heavy security has been deployed at all entry points. Surveillance cameras, access checks, and quick-response teams are stationed across key areas.
The Russian delegation has also booked rooms at the nearby Taj Palace, and other central Delhi hotels, including Taj Mahal, Oberoi, and Leela, are fully booked. “The Russian delegation has taken rooms in the next door Taj Palace too. All the top central Delhi five-stars, including Taj Palace, Taj Mahal, Oberoi, Leela and Maurya, are sold out for this weekend. The average room tariff was in the range of Rs 50,000-Rs 80,000 till Wednesday. Starting Thursday, the same has jumped to Rs 85,000-1.3 lakh,” several hotel officials told TOI.
Delhi prepares for a 30-hour high-profile visit
From the moment Putin lands, Delhi will be under heavy security. A multi-layered system has been set up to keep him safe at all times. The Russian Presidential Security Service will stay closest to him.
India’s National Security Guard (NSG), will protect the perimeter and major buildings. Delhi Police and paramilitary forces will cover the rest of the city. Snipers are on rooftops, drones are patrolling the skies, and AI-powered systems will scan crowds for any threats.
Over 50 Russian security specialists are already in Delhi, inspecting every hotel, venue, and route. India’s Special Protection Group (SPG) will work alongside Russian officers to form an extra-tight security ring at the time of Putin’s meeting with PM Modi. The discussions will focus on trade, defence, and energy ties, highlighting the long-standing partnership between India and Russia.
