Waii International rebranded as Donyi Polo International, Itanagar’s lone five-star hotel gets new identity

In a significant development for Arunachal Pradesh’s hospitality and tourism sector, Itanagar’s lone five-star luxury hotel—earlier known as Waii International—has been rebranded as Donyi Polo International Hotel, marking a strategic shift aligned with indigenous identity and renewed ownership.

The rebranding comes in the wake of an ownership change last year. Previously owned by former Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Kumar Waii, the hotel has now been repositioned under the name “Donyi Polo,” symbolising the indigenous faith of the state’s people. In the Donyi Polo belief system, Donyi represents the Sun and Polo the Moon—both revered as divine entities by the indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh.

Located adjacent to the State Museum and other key administrative and cultural infrastructure in Itanagar, the luxury hotel is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting high-end tourism in the state, which is increasingly emerging as the next major tourism destination in the Northeast after Meghalaya.

Speaking to India Today, SS Kar, Chief General Manager of Donyi Polo International Hotel, said the rebranding was a result of new ownership that took over the property last year, triggering a comprehensive transformation of the establishment.

“After the ownership change, the hotel underwent extensive renovation for nearly a year. All operational issues were resolved, infrastructure was upgraded, and we have successfully regained lost clientele while attracting both domestic and international tourists,” Kar said.

He added that the property was earlier not in optimal condition, but has now been fully modernised with enhanced facilities. “New features such as Club Polo have been restarted, and the hotel now meets four- to five-star standards. It is currently the only luxury hotel of this category in Arunachal Pradesh catering to VIPs, international visitors, and high-end domestic tourists,” he said.

Security arrangements at the hotel have also been strengthened, and the premises are now equipped with modern amenities including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and upgraded hospitality services.

Kar also noted that while there was earlier another premium property under the Donyi Polo brand—Donyi Polo Ashok—it has since been shut down, making Donyi Polo International the state’s sole luxury hotel of its kind.

With recent developments such as the renaming of Donyi Polo Airport and now the rebranding of this landmark hotel, Arunachal Pradesh appears to be consciously integrating indigenous cultural identity into its modern infrastructure, while simultaneously positioning itself as a premium tourism hub in the Northeast.