<p>It was in the summer of 1994 when your columnist met Sanjiv Malhotra, then general manager of The Oberoi New Delhi, to ask whether the hotel would be prepared to host forum sessions offered by IMA India. The very first CEO Forum, which received 15 clients, was held at the Nilgiri Room. IMA was then a start-up and treasured any patronage it could receive from friends and well-wishers. Subsequently, and for several years thereafter, Oberoi Hotels sponsored the efforts of a floundering business information company and absorbed costs related to its breakfast events. The kindness of PRS Oberoi, Chairman Oberoi Hotels, was crucial to the evolution of IMA’s business offerings.</p><p>Mr Oberoi passed away on the 14th November 2023. He leaves behind what is perhaps one of the world’s finest hotel chains that has consistently set benchmarks in what constitutes hospitality. Mr Oberoi assumed the mantle of a family company from his father, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi. The Oberois brought several international brands to India, including Sheraton and Intercontinental, but later took the daring step of rebranding their properties simply as ‘The Oberoi’. With this came a superior level of offerings, rarely seen in India. As a younger man, Mr Oberoi had toured the world to understand the nuances of luxury travel and adopted best practices that he gathered, specifically from leading Asian hotels including the Mandarin Oriental and the Peninsula. The launch of the Vilas properties in Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mashobra and Ranthambore set newer standards in luxury. This must have been a courageous decision because the travel trade remained unsure whether foreign independent visitors would be prepared to pay for something that was never previously offered in India. However, the strategy worked, and these hotels were not only a place to stay, but became the destination itself.</p><p>Mr Oberoi’s eye for detail was sharper than an eagle’s. He could spot imperfections on a side glance and was never shy to reprimand his team. Oberoi properties, especially the Vilas range, are architecturally impeccable in their sense of aesthetics and designs. The Udaivilas in Udaipur constitutes a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture located on the shores of Lake Pichola. It is a magnificent edifice worthy of being rated as one of the finest hotels in the world. Wildflower Hall in Mashobra, built as an English manor-house, fits seamlessly in the surroundings of the Simla Hills amid Himalayan cedar forests.</p><p>Mr Oberoi was scrupulously receptive to guest feedback, which he took seriously. He would thank customers for their observations and even implement operational changes. Your columnist has over the years exchanged a dozen letters, receiving a response each time in under a couple of days. No detail was too small in a culture of excellence that the Oberoi Hotels emphasise.</p><p>Mr Oberoi touched many lives and did for the travel trade that others can only aspire to. The Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development is perhaps the world’s finest hospitality school that has produced hoteliers who now manage properties across the world. Ingrained in the Oberoi ethos is a concept that blends luxury and perfection. The credit for all of this goes to Mr Oberoi. Whilst the Oberoi Group is now in the capable hands of Arjun and Vikram Oberoi, who continue to follow in the highest traditions of hospitality, the spirit of Mr Oberoi will continue to live forever, not only in the bricks and mortar of fine buildings across the country, but also in the crave for perfection amongst the men and women employed in them. Your columnist, for one, will always remain indebted to a man whose kindness and support made possible the product offerings of IMA in India. Mr Oberoi will always be in our hearts. So long, farewell, it’s hard to say goodbye.</p>
<p>It was in the summer of 1994 when your columnist met Sanjiv Malhotra, then general manager of The Oberoi New Delhi, to ask whether the hotel would be prepared to host forum sessions offered by IMA India. The very first CEO Forum, which received 15 clients, was held at the Nilgiri Room. IMA was then a start-up and treasured any patronage it could receive from friends and well-wishers. Subsequently, and for several years thereafter, Oberoi Hotels sponsored the efforts of a floundering business information company and absorbed costs related to its breakfast events. The kindness of PRS Oberoi, Chairman Oberoi Hotels, was crucial to the evolution of IMA’s business offerings.</p><p>Mr Oberoi passed away on the 14th November 2023. He leaves behind what is perhaps one of the world’s finest hotel chains that has consistently set benchmarks in what constitutes hospitality. Mr Oberoi assumed the mantle of a family company from his father, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi. The Oberois brought several international brands to India, including Sheraton and Intercontinental, but later took the daring step of rebranding their properties simply as ‘The Oberoi’. With this came a superior level of offerings, rarely seen in India. As a younger man, Mr Oberoi had toured the world to understand the nuances of luxury travel and adopted best practices that he gathered, specifically from leading Asian hotels including the Mandarin Oriental and the Peninsula. The launch of the Vilas properties in Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mashobra and Ranthambore set newer standards in luxury. This must have been a courageous decision because the travel trade remained unsure whether foreign independent visitors would be prepared to pay for something that was never previously offered in India. However, the strategy worked, and these hotels were not only a place to stay, but became the destination itself.</p><p>Mr Oberoi’s eye for detail was sharper than an eagle’s. He could spot imperfections on a side glance and was never shy to reprimand his team. Oberoi properties, especially the Vilas range, are architecturally impeccable in their sense of aesthetics and designs. The Udaivilas in Udaipur constitutes a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture located on the shores of Lake Pichola. It is a magnificent edifice worthy of being rated as one of the finest hotels in the world. Wildflower Hall in Mashobra, built as an English manor-house, fits seamlessly in the surroundings of the Simla Hills amid Himalayan cedar forests.</p><p>Mr Oberoi was scrupulously receptive to guest feedback, which he took seriously. He would thank customers for their observations and even implement operational changes. Your columnist has over the years exchanged a dozen letters, receiving a response each time in under a couple of days. No detail was too small in a culture of excellence that the Oberoi Hotels emphasise.</p><p>Mr Oberoi touched many lives and did for the travel trade that others can only aspire to. The Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development is perhaps the world’s finest hospitality school that has produced hoteliers who now manage properties across the world. Ingrained in the Oberoi ethos is a concept that blends luxury and perfection. The credit for all of this goes to Mr Oberoi. Whilst the Oberoi Group is now in the capable hands of Arjun and Vikram Oberoi, who continue to follow in the highest traditions of hospitality, the spirit of Mr Oberoi will continue to live forever, not only in the bricks and mortar of fine buildings across the country, but also in the crave for perfection amongst the men and women employed in them. Your columnist, for one, will always remain indebted to a man whose kindness and support made possible the product offerings of IMA in India. Mr Oberoi will always be in our hearts. So long, farewell, it’s hard to say goodbye.</p>
