HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
Anil Madhok, a remarkable hotelier and the driving force behind the incredible achievements of Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, has passed away, leaving behind a profound impact on the Indian hospitality industry. His untimely demise has dealt a significant blow to the industry, as it mourns the loss of a visionary leader whose exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication transformed the hospitality landscape in India.
Madhok’s journey in the hospitality industry began with humble beginnings, but his relentless passion and unwavering commitment propelled him to great heights. As the Managing Director of Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, he transformed a fledgling enterprise into one of India’s premier hotel chains, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Madhok’s exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial spirit were evident from the inception of Sarovar Hotels & Resorts. With an unwavering focus on quality and innovation, he meticulously built the brand from scratch, expanding its presence across the country. Through his visionary guidance, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts became synonymous with excellence, luxury, and impeccable service.
During his early years, Madhok was captivated by the allure of the army, prompting him to abandon his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Delhi. However, fate had other plans for him when he stumbled upon the hotel management program offered by the prestigious Oberoi School of Hotel Management. Influenced by his parents’ wishes, he decided to take the Oberoi entrance exam, which he successfully cleared, ultimately steering him towards a career in hotel management rather than the military.
Madhok’s first job was as a management trainee at The Oberoi, New Delhi in 1966. Within a short span of two years, his dedication and talent propelled him to the position of restaurant manager, signaling the beginning of a remarkable journey.
For the next quarter-century, Madhok dedicated himself to the Oberoi Hotel and Resorts. However, a chance encounter with the President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Singapore during the early 1980s reshaped Madhok’s perspective. The President characterised the life of a hotelier as a mirage, cautioning against the allure of living like royalty and fraternizing with the elite. Those words left an indelible impression on him, prompting deep introspection. After a decade of contemplation, he made the pivotal decision to depart from the Oberoi group in 1991, driven by a newfound awareness.
Although he initially harboured aspirations of venturing into entrepreneurship, an unexpected offer from the Al Bawadi group in Dubai lured him into assisting them with their hotel business. However, his time there proved unfulfilling, prompting him to return to India after a brief 18-month stint in late 1993. Back on home soil, Madhok wasted no time and seized upon the opportunities brought about by the liberalisation of the hotel industry in 1991. Recognizing the dearth of professional management companies amidst the burgeoning hotel landscape, he took a leap of faith and founded Sarovar Hotels and Resorts in 1994, utilising a modest INR 50,000 from his personal savings. He firmly believed that he could offer operational expertise to an amateur industry, and he was resolute in making his vision a reality.
While speaking about the untimely demise of Madhok, who was also an executive committee member of the Hotel Association of India, M P Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India (HAI), said, “We are in grief with the sudden demise of a stellar personality who created a ground-breaking path for young aspirants. The entire fraternity of HAI, the President, the Executive Committee and all its members mourn the passing away of a visionary leader, an icon, who in a career spanning over 50 years mentored generation of hoteliers. HAI was proud to have his association in the EC as a Fellow Member. In his untimely death there is a void in the Indian hospitality sector, but his legacy will continue to enthuse and encourage the industry in the times to come.”
Madhok’s astute business acumen, combined with his profound understanding of the evolving needs and preferences of travelers, propelled Sarovar Hotels & Resorts to new heights. Under his leadership, the brand consistently delivered exceptional experiences to guests, surpassing their expectations and fostering enduring relationships.
Remembering his long-time friend, Param Kannampilly, Executive Chairman, Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd. said, “To many of us, he was a great hospitality professional, a good boss, friend and colleague but to me Mr Anil Madhok will always remain the man who inspired me to start Concept Hospitality. Yes the great human being and professional that he was, he will always be remembered and missed in the Hospitality fraternity. Rest in peace my friend.”
Madhok’s untimely demise leaves an irreplaceable void in the Indian hospitality industry.
