Marriott International’s presence in India is to grow next year with the conversion and expansion of the 168-room Viceroy Hotel into the 308-room Hyderabad Mariott.

The hotel is owned and operated by Viceroy Hotels and will be the fifth in Marriott’s Indian portfolio. An extensive refurbishment programme is scheduled to prior to the rebranding.

“We are thrilled to have a presence in Hyderabad, one of India’s most important business centres,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging at Marriott.

The hotel will have a health club and swimming pool, restaurants and bars, an executive floor and lounge and a business centre.

It will also offer a 968sq m ballroom and 14 additional function and meeting rooms.

From 2007, Hyderabad will be part of the Formula One car race circuit.