DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
122 | ‘5-Star Mentality’ for a 3-Star Brand with Suresh Chawla
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Suresh Chawla was born in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and moved with his parents (Dr. and Mrs. V.K. Chawla) and brother Dinesh to America in 1977.
He has worked with Chawla Hotels since they opened their first property in Greenwood, MS in 1989. He currently serves as President and CFO of Chawla Hotels, which owns 17 limited service hotels, and is currently developing the first Scion Hotel in Cleveland, MS.
Suresh earned a BBA in 1990 and an MBA in 1991 from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS.
In This Episode, Suresh Reveals:
- The challenges his father Dr. VK faced nearly 30 years ago when he built his very first property.
- His father’s desperate phone call to now President Donald Trump in the late 80’s, and how that conversation helped him get the financing he so desperately needed.
- Their current portfolio of 18 properties, including the world’s first Scion property currently under development, and the three conversions to the American Idea brand currently under way.
- How he feels about the risks of converting to two unproven brands, and why he feels confident that they will succeed.
- Their experience working with the Trump Organization, from first contact, to negotiations, to the official announcement of their partnership at Trump Towers this past June.
Resources & Links
Mentioned in this Episode
- Asian Hospitality Magazine
- Trump Hotels Website
- Developer Information
- Email: development@trumphotels.com
Suresh Chawla
- deltamotels@yahoo.com
Chawla Hotels
- Chawla Hotels
- P.O. Box 1701 | Greenwood, MS 38930
- Phone: (662) 453-1822
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
-
330 | Youthful Perspective: Industry leader Bijal Patel mourns the loss of ‘an entire generation’ of hospitality workers
Bijal Patel, 31, is CEO of Coast Redwood Hospitality and the youngest chair of the California Hotel & Lodging Association. He’s made even more history at CHLA by agreeing to serve an unprecedented second term as the lodging industry emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Patel is a third-generation hotelier. Being so steeped in hospitality at such a young age is not new for members of the Indian American hotelier community, but Patel fears the pandemic has drained the industry of emerging talent. Lodging Leaders spotlights Patel, who represents a leadership demographic that is fighting for the life of the hospitality industry as they watch their peers veer toward other career paths.
-
329 | Ruff and Ready: ADA gives hotels a short leash when accommodating guests with service animals
Many hotels these days have made room for guests with disabilities. Hotel managers and staff should also know what the Americans with Disabilities Act says about accommodating guests with pets. During the pandemic lockdowns, a lot of people added a pet to their household and now they’re bringing Fido along on vacation. Hotel employees need to know how to cater to both consumers who are pet owners as well as guests who travel with a trained service animal. Episode 329 of Lodging Leaders podcast reports on how the ADA defines a service animal and how a hotel is legally obligated to serve a guest who comes with a dog or any other animal.