In a world where luxury hospitality often feels predictable and impersonal, Priya Living started in 2013 in Fremont and Santa Clara as a senior-focused living concept, is taking a different route, one rooted in human connection. What began in the US as a deeply personal idea to create a meaningful living space for ageing parents has evolved into a fast-growing hospitality brand with global ambitions. Asmita Mukherjee spoke with California-based hospitality entrepreneur and hotelier Arun Paul, Founder and CEO of Priya Living to understand the concept’s idea and how they are challenging conventional hotel experiences, building multi-generational communities, and redefining what modern luxury truly means.
What inspired the vision behind Priya Living?
The vision was deeply personal. My parents had moved to the US, and as an only child, I always shared a strong bond with them. As they grew older, I wanted to create a place where they could feel at home and truly connected. At the same time, I had spent my career in ultra-luxury hospitality, helping build brands like Aman Resorts and Auberge Resorts. While that experience was valuable, I felt it lacked personal meaning. So I decided to bring everything I had learned into something that mattered to me personally. That led to the creation of our first community in San Francisco in 2013, where my parents also moved in. From the beginning, the idea was to create a hospitality experience centred on human connection.
What is the USP of Priya Living?
Our USP is human connection. While we deliver high-quality hospitality services such as dining, concierge, and wellness, those are simply the foundation. What truly differentiates us is how we create meaningful relationships, both between guests and between guests and staff. We focus on building a sense of community where people feel connected, rather than just providing a place to stay.
How is Priya Living different from other hotels in India?
The difference lies in both philosophy and execution. Most hospitality spaces focus on physical luxury, but we focus on emotional experience. Our properties are not designed in a generic, uniform way; each one reflects the local culture and environment. More importantly, our service approach is different. We encourage our staff to be confident, expressive, and engaging. Instead of transactional service, we create opportunities for genuine interaction. We also actively design experiences that bring guests together, a feature rarely seen in traditional hotels.
How important is training in your model?
Training is extremely important because it builds confidence and capability. We go beyond standard training by encouraging cross-functional learning. Our team members are trained across departments, which helps them understand the entire operation and work collaboratively. It also makes their roles more engaging. We believe no role is above or below another, and everyone contributes equally to the guest experience.
What kind of guest profiles do you see at Priya Living?
Initially, we thought we would cater primarily to older adults, inspired by my parents. However, once we opened, we saw a much wider audience. Today, we welcome guests across all age groups, including young professionals, families, and seniors. What we discovered is that people value a multi-generational environment. Older guests appreciate the energy of younger people, while younger guests value the wisdom and depth of older generations. Ultimately, what connects all our guests is their desire for meaningful human connection.
How important are design and aesthetics in your properties?
Design is very important because it directly influences how people feel in a space. However, we do not believe in standardisation. Each property is thoughtfully designed to reflect the culture and identity of its location. At the same time, we maintain a modern and creative approach. That said, design alone is not enough. It must be complemented by the experiences and connections we create within the space.
What are your expansion plans in India?
We currently have properties in Hyderabad and Gurgaon, with Ahmedabad and Baroda launching soon. Our goal is to expand steadily, reaching four cities this year and around nine cities next year. Over the next five years, we aim to establish a presence in more than twenty cities across India. India is our primary focus and growth market.
How do you define success in terms of business metrics?
While revenue is important, we do not focus heavily on traditional metrics like occupancy rates. Instead, we prioritise guest satisfaction, repeat visits, and the depth of the experience. If guests enjoy their stay and choose to return or stay longer, we consider that a measure of success.
What is the average length of stay?
In India, since we are still in the early stages, the length of stay varies widely. Some guests come for a short visit, while others stay longer. In the US, however, the average length of stay has evolved significantly and is now around eight years. This reflects the strong sense of community and belonging that develops over time.
Are there plans to launch other brands?
Not at the moment, our focus is entirely on Priya Living. Our long-term vision is to build a global network of communities that serve people across different geographies while maintaining a consistent sense of home and connection.
What are your international expansion plans?
We are already exploring opportunities in cities such as Dubai, London, Toronto, and Singapore. These locations are important because of their strong Indian diaspora. However, our immediate focus remains on expanding within India.
Are there plans to expand into Kolkata?
Yes, Kolkata is definitely on our radar and is an important market in eastern India. However, it is currently one of the more challenging markets for us, and we are still working through those complexities before moving forward.
Any final thoughts you’d like to add?
Our mission is to redefine luxury by focusing on human connection. We believe the future of hospitality lies not just in comfort or design, but in creating spaces where people feel a genuine sense of belonging and connection.
