SURAJ MORAJKAR unveils his most ambitious business offering – a labour of love for Goa and his village, Saipem – Hilton Goa Resort.
Suraj Morajkar is a celebrity magnet. A story about him that needs to be recounted is when former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja – when showing around luxury villas built by Suraj’s company, Sun Estates – to former Indian paceman, Ashish Nehra, likened Suraj to Virender Sehwag. In his Delhi patois, Jadeja explained the entrepreneurial stamina of Suraj Morajkar to his cricketing counterpart – with a metaphor that the Goan entrepreneur could play the long game and the shorter format with equal élan.Indeed, with the completion and opening of the Hilton Goa Resort at Saipem in Bardez, Suraj has come a full circle – from a real estate developer to a profound hotelier, who has won the confidence of a brand no less than Hilton. Not an easy feat for someone who started business with modest means and has grown to embody all that is upper crust in society – realty and hospitality!
Shining with Sun Estates
Over the years, Suraj has nurtured Sun Estates, a niche real estate development company, which designs and creates charming, nature clad villas. Word got around about the quality and beauty of the villas and caught the fancy of the high and mighty from across the nation. Little wonder that film-stars, entrepreneurs, cricketers sought him ought to buy a little bit of the Goa dream and plant themselves in the sunshine State.
Low-Rise, High Value
Suraj was raised in Saipem (near Candolim), a beautiful village with a river and lush green mountains – a picture-perfect idyllic Goan village that you have read about in books and seen in films. Suraj dreamt of being a professional cricketer, having represented Goa at various junior level tournaments. However, destiny had other plans for him. Suraj set up a communications business in Panjim, the success of which made him expand the trade to the coastal belt. As luck would have it, he ventured into a joint development of property with a friend who was planning to sell off his ancestral land. This was the lucky break that Suraj needed to make a mark in the real estate space.
“My aim, as a real estate developer, was to complement the natural beauty of Goa with matching architecture, innovative construction and more importantly to blend with the surroundings; and at the same time think of leaving something behind for posterity,” asserts Suraj. It is quite admirable that he has stuck to his guns and resisted the temptation to go in for the high-rise model of development.
Growth of a Niche Hotelier
“Sun Estates is a brand which has in its DNA the ability and passion to create extraordinary homes. Our end products are always luxurious – with high ceilings, large openings for cross ventilation, use of traditional construction materials and exemplary design,” emphasizes Suraj.
The Sun Estates brand of building was a precursor to the launch of a boutique resort The Sol – which went on to win hearts and laurels in equal measure and provided a springboard for Suraj’s hospitality ambitions to jump into another orbit.
The Sol is a stylish hotel and is known to be the holiday home for many celebrity guests who visit Goa. Suraj had collaborated with renowned fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani and architect Arvind D’Souza to create a masterpiece. Soon enough, the world began to take note and luxury publications like by Condé Nast Traveler and Harper’s Bazaar wrote lavish praise about this little gem.
“The Sol makes a visitor feel like s/he’s living a truly Goan village life. The location is quintessentially Goan, ensconced in the village of Nerul, away from the hustle-bustle of the coastal belt. In fact, when you are in the swimming pool, the adjoining piece of land is a paddy field that has Goa written all over it,” says Suraj about The Sol.
For Suraj, this was just the beginning of his endeavour to make a mark in the hospitality space of Goa. The Sol also played a major role in providing him an insight into his ability as a real estate developer who could create projects which are appreciated worldwide. The accolades heaped on The Sol and especially the association with design guru Tarun Tahiliani, who was also appointed Design Director of Hilton Goa Resort, was the facilitator for the young entrepreneur’s vision to go places. “I was exposed to the fine nuances and subtle taste of high living, thanks to Tarun,” admits Suraj, who in great humility dedicates much of his successful strides to his clients, many of whom are high achievers. It is one thing to learn the distinctions of life and business from your associates; it is quite another to remain rooted to your humility and accept this contribution quite openly.
The Hilton Dream
Suraj’s high-achiever friends loved The Sol and the experience that it offered. There were discussions of offering the same sophication on a mega scale with the umbrella of an international hotel chain. “Since I already had this beautiful land, this hotel project then seemed like a perfect opportunity to collaborate with an international brand. My vision and aspiration to create a world-class address in the backyard of my village in Saipem, took root and thus the idea of starting The Hilton germinated from ground up,” says Suraj about his most ambitious reach, thus far.
Of course, a project of this magnitude comes with tons of challenges. To begin with, the scale and budget to accommodate an idea of a quintessentially Goan hotel in the hillside of a village calls for audacious thinking. Needless to mention, Suraj faced more than a few challenges in shaping the project.
“The Hilton is a leading brand in the global hospitality space. It takes a lot of study and due diligence for them to be impressed with a partner. I’m happy that after our meetings, they were happy to tick all the right boxes to enter into a partnership with us,” beams Suraj. After a thorough survey, Hilton wanted certain specifications that the current market was lacking like a big-sized ballroom, children’s play area, private pool – to name a few. Suraj’s company ensured that the global hotelier’s vision for Goa would be fulfilled to every bit of specification envisaged for this grand project.
“To conceive this project, finding the right architectural firm was the biggest challenge to begin with. Once that was done, the other test was the terrain and constructing the expanse of this property, while abiding by all government and environmental guidelines. I am proud to say that we have not compromised anywhere in this project. My stubbornness in building the best resort challenged my finances severely. But by sheer dint of perseverance and determination, I overcame this challenge quite brilliantly,” says Suraj with a glow of pride.
A Hilton in his Backyard
Suraj takes great pride in his village and rightfully so. “Saipem has beautiful backwaters, paddy fields, a breath-taking view of the Arabian Sea and a legacy of its own. The village has connectivity to the closest beach and cities and yet retains its tranquility that any traveler would prefer, thus making me think of this as an ideal location to develop a resort and give back to my village. My entire focus while developing this hospitality offering was that the value of the place should enhance with a world class property. I also thought of creating jobs for the locals, which is something that goes beyond the mundane motive of profit making,” reflects Suraj.
Partnering Hilton
Just like any other brand, Hilton did a property assessment of the land for the proposed project. Hilton supports the design and delivery of truly exceptional properties that delight their guests, rewards their partners, and reflects the unique cultures of their geographical locations. During the entire development process, the company assigns a Project Director as the principal point of contact, who is focused on ensuring a smooth and trouble-free delivery of the highest-quality property. Hilton’s Project Directors are committed to increasing efficiencies, improving communications, and assembling reliable information for their owners, industry partners, and the parent company, Hilton. Global Design Services delivers exceptionally designed properties, which includes optimizing the spatial requirements and operational relationships in both front and back-of-house areas of the hotel. Their team helps ensure that the design and construction standards are in place, so that the property can operate economically and efficiently. Their efforts help create memorable and unique design solutions that reflect Goa’s brand philosophy and exceed their guests’ expectations.
Whether building a new hotel, converting or renovating an existing one, their standards, prototypes, design guides and other supporting information enables hotel owners, operators, developers, designers and manufacturers to better understand each brand within the Hilton portfolio. Of course, the principal point was to be convinced that Suraj was the right partner to create a flagship offering in Goa – which is an internationally acclaimed tourist destination.
“Of course, Hilton did its due diligence and concluded that my company was strong enough financially and had the appetite to build and own a project of this magnitude. A letter of intent was signed and the project took off. They are great partners to work with – a truly global company that respects local sensibilities,” says Suraj about the tie-up with Hilton.
A First-Gen Entrepreneur Comes into his Own
“As a first-generation entrepreneur, I have evolved with time. Maturity and experience in this business has made me prioritise my true north. Over the years, perfecting the art of real estate development and hospitality has made me aware of some of my strengths and even idiosyncrasies,” laughs Suraj. “Design is of utmost importance to my scheme of thought. And I refuse to compromise on quality and take short cuts. I have learnt to be patient and resilient when I make decisions – waiting for the right time and capitalizing on opportunity, is an art that I have picked up along my way. Add to that, not giving up even during dire times, or getting carried away by compromising on my principles, not giving in to political pressure or accepting funding from questionable sources are some of the things that I have followed,” explains Suraj. “In business, cash flow is of prime importance. It is the lifeblood of any enterprise. The challenge when you are executing a project of the scale of Hilton Goa Resort, I had to ensure that even when the cash flow receded in our real estate business – due to policy changes like demonetization and later RERA, the hotel project could not be stalled. Costs did over run and even went wildly beyond my calculations. However, belief in myself and the ability to take quick and often bitter pill decisions made me see this project to its completion – in a grand plan that it was envisaged on,” exclaims Suraj.
Suraj has had associations with top performers from various fields like business, sports, fashion and he has soaked in the right mantras for entrepreneurial success. “I feel one must not change oneself to fit in. Be yourself and keep growing organically and continuously,” says Suraj.
“With the plethora of facilities and services at Hilton Goa Resort, we are confident that the property will become a preferred getaway destination for both domestic and international travelers” Amandeep Singh Grover, General Manager of Hilton Goa Resort
Going Ahead
Entrepreneurial success is not an end by itself, it is more often a means to regroup one’s ambition and chalk out a new path. “Currently I am savouring the moment of having put this wonderful hospitality offering. Hilton Goa Resort is the pride of the State. It represents everything that Goa is known for – a village backdrop, large spaces, tranquil ambience, warm and hospitable people to look after you, mouthwatering coastal delights – truly Goan in every sense of the word.
“The milestone of successfully pulling off an ambitious venture like this speaks volumes of the trust that the Hilton management had in me. They had invested in me – a first generation entrepreneur and were sure of my ability to deliver the goods! This article of faith has spawned more ventures in the offing. Well known funds have been talking to me to create value in real estate as brand Goa has truly grown during the pandemic. People have learnt to value the clean air and nature’s bounty that Goa offers. I will continue to build charming spaces that give me happiness and our hospitality offerings will continue to wow travelers and add to the image of Goa as a travel destination,” says Suraj as he looks over the Nerul river from the patio of the State’s grandest hospitality offering – Hilton Goa Resort.
GLOBAL BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS OF BRAND HILTON
For 100 years, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world. With more than 584 hotels across six continents, their properties are located in the world’s most preferred destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Resorts within the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio are designed for travelers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation in the world’s most sought-after destinations. They are delighted to bring their flagship brand to Goa, a thriving destination in India. “With the plethora of facilities and services at Hilton Goa Resort, we are confident the property will become a preferred getaway destination for both domestic and international travelers,” says Amandeep Singh Grover, General Manager of Hilton Goa Resort.
As Goa remains an integral market to cater to the growing leisure travel among Indians, the brand aims at delivering unconventional and offbeat experiences to guests with its modern interiors, comfortable amenities and distinct hospitality.
As the flagship brand of Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard for hospitality, providing new product innovations and services to meet the evolving needs of its guests. Utmost priority is given to deploying gold standard of safety and sanitization protocols across all areas. In keeping with the current times, Hilton has launched industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection called ‘Hilton CleanStay’, which is now present across all Hilton properties across the world
HILTON GOA RESORT: PLAYING HOST IN THE LAP OF NATURE
Hilton Goa Resort is the first flagship resort of Hilton Hotels & Resorts in India. Located atop the scenic, terraced slopes of Saipem Hills, overlooking the Nerul River, the resort extends Hilton’s signature hospitality and tranquil retreat to leisure and business travelers. It is 10 minutes away from the popular Candolim and Calangute beaches.
The Resort has 104 well-appointed guestrooms offering guests unparalleled views, 4 swimming pools, 3 eclectic dining options, suites with private plunge pools and signature curated experiences. The resort features four outdoor pools with a temperature-controlled whirlpool, dedicated kids’ pool, Fun N Frolic, an aqua themed kids’ club, full-service spa and salon and 17,600 sq ft of event space. With state-of-the-art technology, elegant interiors, and an array of dining and recreational options, the Resort looks forward to hosting travelers and residents.
Guests can indulge in curated experiences @YourBalcony such as wine tasting, yoga, BBQ, cocktail making and culinary master classes. For adventure, the resort offers bicycle trails, underwater escapades and luxury cruises along the backwaters of Goa. There are a lot of activities curated for children as well – cooking, baking, painting etc.
“As a celebratory opening offer, we have introduced special packages that include a two-night stay with complimentary breakfast, airport coach transfers, happy hours, and a 20% discount on food and beverage and laundry. As part of the ‘Great Small Breaks’ staycation package, guests get complimentary breakfast, one meal or INR 1000 resort credit per person, per night, a unique Goan Masterclass experience, and a 20% discount on food and beverage and laundry,” says Amandeep Singh Grover, GM. of Hilton Goa Resort
