In 2014, Kenya’s stature as a key investment destination was cemented by the opening of the sh 1.3 billion Royal Orchid Azure Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi.
The luxurious establishment is part of the Royal Orchid Hotel Ltd, the leading hotel chain in India. It is owned by Indian billionaire Chander Baljee.
Prior to the Westlands Hotel, Royal Orchid had opened another hotel in Mwanza, Tanzania, in 2013, dubbed the Royal Orchid Malaika Beach Resort.
This is Chander Baljee’s journey to success as told by WoK:
A hotelier’s roots
Chander hails from a hotelier family in India, in a place called Shimla. From an early age, he was exposed to the intricate workings of the hospitality industry, gaining invaluable insights and knowledge that would serve him well in the future.
After completing his education, Chander worked for a while in the family business before starting his first restaurant in Shimla, dubbed ‘Fascination’.
While there, a customer suggested that he open a hotel in Karnataka, a thriving city in South India. Against his family’s wishes, he travelled to the city and leased a hotel, which he christened Hotel Harsha.
Royal Orchid
This new hotel was better strategically located and therefore raked in better profits, which Chander wisely re-invested. In 2001, he established a 5-star hotel next to Bangalore Airport, which he named Royal Orchid after his favorite flower.
“Back then, my ambition was to reach 10 hotels and then retire,” he reminisced in later interviews.
The year 2001 was challenging due to the aftermath of the 9/11 crash, but Chander remained resilient. As fate would have it, the post-2003 software boom ushered in a period of tremendous growth for his burgeoning hotel chain.
By 2004, Royal Orchid had 4 branches across major towns in India.
The company went public in 2006, raising Rs 130 Crores (about sh 2.3 billion) in the IPO. This enabled them to expand and establish 12 more hotels across India.
Expanding Horizons
In 2014, the Bombay-stock exchange listed hotel launched in Kenya, targeting business and leisure travelers seeking Indian cuisine.
The 165-roomed Royal Orchid Hotel in Westlands was part of Chander’s ongoing strategy to expand the Royal Orchid Hotel’s footprint in East Africa. It featured 3 restaurants, a casino, a gym, an outdoor pool, a sports bar, conference space, laundry service, and free Wi-Fi, among other amenities.
Currently, the Royal Orchid Hotel brand, along with its sister brand, Regenta Hotels, boasts over 90 hotels and 160 restaurants in over 58 locations in India, Africa, and South Asia. In a candid interview, Chander revealed that his business grows by 50% yearly.
When asked how he grew the company so rapidly, Chander said that the group invests in cutting-edge technology and staff training. He also emphasized on the importance of adopting trends and market conditions. In 2022, the group’s profits stood at $5.9 million.
On his advice to entrepreneurs launching a career in the hospitality industry, Chander Baljee said,
“Take time to talk to every member of the staff. Getting to know your team is very important. If you want to provide great leadership, not only do you need to understand your team well, but you also need to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
