Lumbini Palace Resort Limited has signed a Hotel Management Agreement with Marriott International to operate its Rupandehi-based property under the Lumbini Marriott Resort & Spa brand.

This will be Marriott International’s first and only hotel presence in Nepal outside Kathmandu Valley, the resort said. The resort, located in Siyari Ward Number 5 and in operation since 2018, has recorded three consecutive years of profit before entering the partnership, according to the company.

The agreement was formalised with Global Hospitality Licensing SARL in the presence of representatives from both sides: Deepak Pandey, and Roshan Kumar Neupane of Lumbini Palace Resort; and Neeraj Govil, Kiran Andicott, and Juhi Roy of Marriot International.

The resort aims to secure a five-star operating licence by the end of the current fiscal year.

Under the new brand, the property is set to become Nepal’s first Water Resort, featuring musical fountains, 3D water screens, motor boating, mini cruises, a water restaurant and a water spa, the company says.

It is designed as a multi-specialty resort with infrastructure to support major sports played in Nepal, with the goal of promoting sports tourism, the resort claimed.

To reflect the cultural heritage of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, the property will include a Buddha Theme Park featuring mini stupas, a mini Buddha museum, meditation areas and cultural centres, it said.

Lumbini Palace Resort Limited has also begun preparations for an Initial Public Offering to attract public investment, according to the company.