Hitting a century

With Sarovar Hotels and Resorts all set to open its 100th property, Anil Madhok, the Executive Chairman, and Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director, delve into its 28-year journey and the fundamentals and principles that have shaped the vision and foundation of the company

Driven with a clear focus on its purpose, ambition, and intent, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts portfolio is adorned with some of the most stellar properties that exemplify its holistic hospitality experience. Founded in 1994, a couple of years after India's economic liberalisation that had opened up the country's realm of possibilities, the company's clear vision was to bring world-class hotels to the country's judicious and prudent travellers. With this goal in mind, the company today has carved an undebatable niche in the midmarket segment and continues to be at the forefront of the Indian hospitality arena.

THE BUILDING BLOCKS

The company opened its first hotel in Goa, and within just two years, in 1996, they started managing the iconic hotel in Mumbai, Marine Drive - Hotel Marine Plaza, a year that remains a landmark for all the right reasons. Sarovar Hotels unveiled its first institutional hospitality engagement in 2000 with one of the most prestigious business schools, and currently operates nine such institutions in India.

Continuing to expand its horizon, Sarovar Hotels introduced three new brands in 2007 - Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico, and Hometel.

In 1998, Sarovar Hotels won the 'Global Award' at the World Travel Market (WTM) 1998 in London in recognition of its development of mid-market hotels in India; and again received the award in 2013 for the second time, making it the only Indian company to receive this coveted award twice. In 2017 Sarovar Hotels became a part of Louvre Hotels Group, the second largest hotel group in Europe, which has six brands Golden Tulip, Royal Tulip, Tulip Inn, Campanile, Kyriad and Premiere Classe.

LOOKING BACK