ECKO Hotels & Resorts: Pioneering Spiritual Luxe in Uttarakhand

In an exclusive interview with Safari India Senior Correspondent Joyita Dutta, Perkin Rocha, CEO and Founder of ECKO Hotels & Resorts, unveiled the group's spiritual-luxury blueprint for India, with a bold plan to open 12 properties in Uttarakhand before branching into metros and sub-metros. Read the edited excerpts.

Exclusive Interview

J: What inspired your entrepreneurial journey after so many years in hospitality, and what sets ECKO apart in such a competitive market?

P: The decision stemmed from a moment of personal reflection. After years of extensive travel and minimal time with family, there was a clear need to pause and reassess priorities. That break led to conversations with industry peers, many of whom encouraged the idea of launching something independent.
ECKO was born out of a desire to build a brand that reflects simplicity, mindfulness, and authenticity—qualities often overlooked in conventional hospitality models. Backed by decades of experience, the vision was to create a space that’s minimalistic yet meaningful, where guests can truly be present. This focus on conscious, experience-led hospitality is what sets ECKO apart in a saturated market.

J:  What are the planned locations for ECKO Hotels & Resorts in Uttarakhand, and when are these properties expected to become operational?

P: ECKO Hotels & Resorts is poised to make a notable entry into Uttarakhand with a phased rollout of its boutique properties. The brand will officially launch on 1st May 2025 with three openings in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Tapovan. Haridwar will serve as the flagship—a premium, upper-luxury property that will define the brand’s positioning.

The Haridwar hotel is strategically located along the banks of the Ganga, offering direct river views and exclusive access to a private ghat. To ensure guest safety, a dedicated lifeguard will be stationed at the ghat, and access will be restricted during the evenings as a precautionary measure. The property reflects the brand’s ethos of combining spiritual grounding with high-end hospitality.

In the next phase, ECKO will expand to Jim Corbett with a leisure-luxury resort, scheduled for launch in October 2025, aimed at both destination weddings and MICE events. This will be followed by a heritage-inspired hotel in Vrindavan in December 2025, designed to celebrate the city’s spiritual significance.

By 2026, ECKO plans to deepen its footprint along the Char Dham pilgrimage route with properties in Badrinath and Kedarnath, underscoring its long-term commitment to premium spiritual tourism in India’s most sacred destinations.

J: How many keys will the three properties have, and what is the business model behind them?

P: Each of the three properties—Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Tapovan—will feature between 30 to 35 keys, allowing the brand to maintain an intimate, high-touch guest experience. With this boutique format, ECKO Hotels & Resorts is carving out a distinct niche in premium spiritual tourism, positioning itself not just as a place to stay, but as a place to transform.
The business model is an asset-light and experience-heavy approach. ECKO follows a long-term lease strategy, which offers greater operational control and more stable revenue, even in markets affected by seasonality or sentiment-driven fluctuations. Through a brownfield development approach, the brand is repurposing existing properties into refined hospitality spaces—executed with both speed and precision.

J: What is the brand strategy of ECKO Hotels & Resorts, and how does it cater to different types of travellers?

P: ECKO Hotels & Resorts has developed a three-tier brand strategy to cater to a wide spectrum of traveller preferences while maintaining its core focus on spiritual and experiential hospitality:

ECKO Premium: Ultra-luxury flagship properties located in iconic religious and leisure destinations, offering elevated design, bespoke experiences, and exceptional service.
ECKO: Premium boutique hotels that strike a balance between comfort and exclusivity, ideal for travellers seeking meaningful experiences in thoughtfully curated spaces.
ECKO Lite: Smart, budget-friendly accommodations that deliver reliable service and quality, ensuring accessibility without compromising on guest experience.

Through this segmented approach, ECKO aims to provide a personalised stay for every kind of guest- Whether they seek indulgence, balance, or value.

J: Are the revenue streams purely hospitality-driven, or does ECKO plan to generate ancillary income through wellness centres, events, or branded experiences?

P: While hospitality remains the core revenue stream, ECKO Hotels & Resorts is actively building ancillary income channels through events, wellness offerings, and curated experiences.

The Rishikesh property, for instance, will feature two pillarless banquet halls, each spanning 4,000 sq. ft—a first for the area. This positions the hotel to tap into the growing demand for destination weddings, MICE events, and spiritual social gatherings.

Similarly, the upcoming resort in Jim Corbett, set to launch in October 2025, will be positioned as a leisure-luxury venue ideal for corporate retreats, weddings, and private celebrations.

These offerings align with ECKO’s broader vision of creating immersive spaces that go beyond stay and serve as platforms for transformative experiences.

J: How is ECKO Hotels & Resorts incorporating sustainability into its hospitality offerings?

P: Sustainability is a key pillar of ECKO Hotels & Resorts’ brand philosophy. The company is committed to delivering conscious luxury by integrating environmentally responsible practices into its operations.
As part of this commitment, select properties—beginning with the Rishikesh hotel—will feature an in-house glass bottling plant to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Additionally, the brand is introducing neem-based toiletry solutions, offering guests natural, chemical-free amenities that align with both wellness and ecological values.

These initiatives are not just operational choices, but part of a broader vision to create holistic, planet-conscious hospitality experiences that resonate with today’s mindful travellers.

J: Beyond its presence in spiritual and leisure destinations, does ECKO Hotels & Resorts plan to expand into urban or emerging markets?

P: Beyond the mountains, ECKO will shift gears to enter key urban markets such as Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, introducing its distinct blend of spiritual-modern hospitality to the metro lifestyle. The brand also sees significant potential in Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities, which offer ample opportunities for growth and meaningful guest engagement in less saturated markets.

With these additions, ECKO is positioning itself as India’s first dedicated premium hotel chain focused on spiritual tourism.