Passionate about hotels
Hotelier Tharun Giri says he prefers to not ‘think out-of-thebox’ but to do away with the ‘box’ itself to stay ahead in the game
Tharun Giri, the dashing managing director of Mysorebased Siddharta Group’s luxury resort brand, The Windflower Spa and Resorts, is all set to strengthen his foothold across India.
The 33-year-old says with luxury properties in Mysore, Coorg, Bandipur, Vythiri and Pondicherry, the good times are just starting. “Three more properties are slated for opening in the next two months — at Karwar, Kasargod and Allepey. I’m also looking to go up North as we now have the wherewithal for expansion on a pan-india basis in terms of expertise, manpower and other resources. I have also acquired properties in Andamans and Hampi.”
He adds, “I chose not to be in the metros as our family philosophy is that of offering generous spaces and the South has a lot to offer in terms of tourism with its heritage, beaches, beauty and wildlife.”
Hospitality was a natural choice for him as the family has already established itself in the business. After a hospitality management course from Switzerland, Tharun followed it up with a Masters in Tourism from the US.
One, however, wonders whether friends are forever trying to cadge discounted
scenic holidays off him. “This is an occupational hazard and at times it becomes difficult to say no. But when I holiday I choose to either go with very close friends or with my family to locations unconnected to my work,” he says.
“I recently got back from a ski trip in Austria. I like skiing and am also going to take up scuba diving since I will be offering this facility at Andamans,” adds Tharun.
The Windflower, Coorg, won Best Resort in India at the International Hotel Awards and also the Asia Spa Pevonia Award. It has also been featured in the Rolls-royce Enthusiasts Club Yearbook. “The awards came to us because of our innovative concepts at a time when spas were little known in the South. As an entrepreneur I believe in not thinking out-of-the-box, but of eliminating the box entirely and finding new, fun ways of doing things,” he says.
“I loved staying at the Grande Bretagne, Athens. Greece is fabulous for its old world charm. A complete contrast to that is the Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore with its modernity and zestful chicness, which I like for short breaks. My all-time favourite eatery is The Palace Cafe, New Orleans,” says the globetrotter who likes to unwind with biographies of young achievers.
Talking about his marriage he says, “My wife Shruthi is a perfect combo of a modern, progressive woman who respects tradition and family values.
Friendship in marriage, surprise gifts and taking out time for each other helps. We are an extremely close-knit family.”