Meet the people who own the hotel you stayed in last night
Over 50% of all hotel rooms in the United States are owned by Indian Americans. Of that percentage, a large part are from the province of Gujarat. As far back as the 1940s, these people have owned and operated hotels, cleaned toilets, washed and folded laundry, and graciously nodded and smiled while “the suits” dismissed them as serious contenders in a competitive industry.
The first hotel we bought, c. 1981
Even so, they saved their money, bought more property, and grew their businesses, so today, when you see a Marriott, Hilton, Choice, or any other hotel in any place across the country, odds are that it’s owned by a member of this small community from northwestern India.
Puja Ceremony - Comfort Inn, Dillon, SC c.1984
Refuge attempts to pay tribute to the community that has fueled the growth of this industry over the last several decades.
After President Lyndon Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1965, large waves of Gujarati immigrants from India arrived to fill the talent gaps in the economy. They took on professional careers as engineers, scientists, graduate students, and middle managers. But they soon caught a glimpse of real freedom - entrepreneurship.
Egg Bhurji is an Indian street food must. Consider it an insider’s tip.
As part of this next generation, we’ve had the privilege to attend top universities. We honor the work our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles have done and the trail they have blazed. Because of it, we have earned a place in the senior ranks of some of the best companies around.
We are cut from this cloth. Who else could do it justice?
Many in the real estate industry consider hotels to be riskier than other property types because of their dependence on labor. But for these new immigrants, paying the mortgage on time was a point of pride, and the path to survival. So when employees didn’t show up, they stepped in.
