The globally renowned hospitality group Marriott International’s prestigious brand JW Marriott, is set to enter Nepal, for the first time, as Capital Hotels and Hospitality Ltd – under the MS Group – and Marriott International signed a hotel management agreement today.
The agreement was signed by Director and Managing Director of Capital Hotels Gaurav Agrawal and President of Marriott International for Asia Pacific, excluding China (APEC) Rajeev Menon. Additionally, the agreement was exchanged between Shashikant Agrawal from Capital Hotels and David Marriott from Marriott International, on the occasion.
On the occasion, Agrawal said, “We are extremely excited to partner again with Marriott to build a special hotel that will significantly contribute to Nepal’s tourism sector.
“Our goal is to provide unforgettable experiences by connecting our country’s culture and spirit with world-class hospitality,” he added.
With this agreement, a new chapter has begun in Nepal’s luxury hospitality sector. “The JW Marriott Hotel Kathmandu will come into operation in early 2031,” according to the agreement. “This marks the fourth collaboration between these two companies.”
Located about 15 minutes from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at Bhaktapur, the JW Marriott Hotel Kathmandu will have 221 luxurious rooms. “The property will include multiple restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a landscaped garden,” according to Shasikant Agrawal of Capital Hotels.
“It will also offer more than 1,600 sq meters of event and conference space,” he said, adding that the hotel will have convenient access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley.
Member of Parliament Mingma David Sherpa also attended the ceremony as a special witness.
Marriott International is one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, operating more than 9,800 hotels across 145 countries and territories. The entry of such a prestigious brand into Nepal is expected to attract high-end tourists and create new employment opportunities for thousands of Nepalis.
After the agreement signing ceremony Nepalkhabar had an exclusive interview with Marriott International chairman David Marriot and President of Marriott International for Asia Pacific, excluding China (APEC) Rajeev Menon. Excerpts: 
Since its your first visit to Nepal. What are your impressions of the country so far?
David Marriott: It is my first visit to Nepal, and it is fascinating. It’s a beautiful country. There is an incredible energy and spirituality about Kathmandu. I only wish I had more time to get outside of the city and experience the mountains.
In Nepal, our culture of hospitality is rooted in the phrase ‘Atithi Devo Bhava,’ means ‘The guest is God’. Marriott also operates on a deeply defined corporate culture. Given this shared appreciation for hospitality, why did it take so long to blend these two worlds and bring Marriott to Nepal?
David Marriott: Well, we are a global company operating across 145 countries. Rajeev, how long have we officially been on the ground here in Nepal?
Rajeev Menon: We have been operating here since 2014.
David Marriott: Yes, so we have been here for several years now.
But considering Marriott’s history that spans nearly a century, 99 years to be exact, isn't a 2014 arrival a bit late?
David Marriott: If we could have been here sooner, we certainly would have. However, our model relies on deep partnerships. As a company, we generally do not own the real estate; instead, we operate and franchise the hotels. It takes time to find the right partners and the right owners. We have found wonderful partners in Nepal now, which is why we are poised to grow quickly.
The company was founded back in 1927 by your grandparents, JW Marriott and Alice Marriott, in Washington, DC. Now, as the company approaches its centennial, you are leading this global giant. How does it feel to spearhead your family's legacy?
David Marriott: My grandparents established an incredible legacy. Early on, they coined a core philosophy: "If you take good care of your associates, they will take good care of the customers, and the customers will keep coming back." They built a fabulous culture based on core values: putting people first, embracing change, pursuing excellence, acting with integrity, and serving our world.
For me, it is a true privilege and honor to serve as just the third chairman in our company’s history. It is a vital legacy to keep intact and carry forward. Our business is built entirely on providing people with opportunities. My father always said the achievement he is most proud of is the opportunity we’ve provided to people around the globe. Today, nearly 800,000 people wear a Marriott name badge worldwide. It is an honor to support our CEO, Tony Capuano, alongside Rajeev Menon and the rest of our leadership team, to ensure we keep creating livelihoods where people can support their families and give back to their communities.
Since David Marriott took over as chairman in 2022, Marriott’s regional expansion has been phenomenal. How do you view this current wave of growth?
Rajeev Menon: We see an incredible, decades-long growth opportunity in travel and tourism across the Asia-Pacific region. Sixty percent of the world’s population lives here, and the demographics represent some of the youngest populations globally. The middle-class boom is staggering; by 2030, another 700 million people in this region will enter the middle class. They are aspirational, and they want to travel.
Consequently, we are working very closely with excellent local partners – like Shashikant Agarwal and Gaurav – here at the Kathmandu Marriott to expand our footprint. In South Asia, particularly India, we have over 220 open hotels and nearly 200 more under construction. We are equally excited about Nepal, where we already have five operating hotels.
And you are actively expanding that portfolio.
Rajeev Menon: Absolutely. We are very proud of the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel. Just yesterday, we signed agreements to bring The Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu and The Westin to the market. We have a robust pipeline coming together, including a Luxury Collection property within the next year or so. Nepal offers the exact type of unique, experiential hospitality that modern travelers are searching for. There is a massive opportunity for us to expand our presence beyond Kathmandu, and I am incredibly excited about it.
With so many brands entering the market, it feels like Marriott is significantly investing in Nepal's tourism infrastructure, which is exactly what the country needs. How did your foundational partnership with Mr. Shashikant Agarwal first begin?
Rajeev Menon: It began with the Fairfield by Marriott many years ago; they were the pioneering partners who originally brought Marriott to Nepal. The hotel we are sitting in today, the Kathmandu Marriott, is a stellar example of a highly successful property. Since then, we have introduced Moxy, Aloft, and The Soaltee Kathmandu, which joined our Autograph Collection. What gives us the greatest amount of pride is that so much of our regional growth is driven by repeat collaborations with our existing partners.
And now you have signed a deal for a JW Marriott property as well. Why the decision to bring the JW brand here?
Rajeev Menon: The JW Marriott brand holds a very special place in our family because it is named directly after our founder. It has seen exponential growth across Asia-Pacific. In India, for example, we have 10 operating JWs and another 15 under development. The JW brand identity resonates perfectly with South Asian hospitality. As you noted earlier, hospitality in this part of the world comes straight from the heart; it is embedded in who we are as individuals. That directly mirrors our founder's vision of associate care. Because of that natural alignment, JW Marriott has been a runaway success in this region, and we are proud to bring it to Nepal.
Despite your company's long legacy, this is your first visit to Nepal. You mentioned yesterday that you missed your wife on this solo trip. Can we hope that Nepal will feature prominently on your personal travel map as Marriott gears up for its 100th-anniversary celebrations?
David Marriott: I was actually speaking to my wife this morning, and she is incredibly jealous that I am here without her! She is very eager to plan a family trip here, so I hope we can make that happen in the near future. She grew up in the mountains of Utah, which are baby mountains compared to the Himalayas, but she absolutely loves to trek and hike. There is no better place in the world for that than Nepal, so we will definitely be back.
As Rajeev mentioned, the JW Marriott brand has a deeply personal meaning for me. It is incredibly exciting to bring that brand to the Kathmandu Valley, creating a luxury base camp where travelers can stay, head out to trek in the mountains, and return to world-class comfort. My grandfather loved the mountains; he spent his youth tending his father’s sheep in Utah and was a true American cowboy at heart. He deeply connected with nature and would have absolutely loved Nepal. We look forward to watching this connection grow stronger. As we celebrate 100 years of Marriott next year, there will be a special focus and continued expansion right here.
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