Amar Lalvani buys back his company after messy split
- In 1998, Amar Lalvani was asked to stay in Thailand to assess Starwood's investment opportunities during a financial crisis.
- He managed properties for Starwood and developed essential relationships that contributed to future launches.
- His experiences led to significant developments in his career, establishing him as a notable figure in the hospitality industry.
In 1998, during a business trip to Thailand, Amar Lalvani was asked by a partner at Starwood to remain in the country indefinitely due to the financial crisis affecting the region. This extended stay lasted approximately two years, during which Lalvani served as Starwood’s only representative in Asia, managing existing properties and building relationships with key investors. His foundational work set the stage for significant future developments for the hotel group, including establishing major properties like Le Méridien and St. Regis. After returning to the U.S. in 2000, Lalvani pursued an MBA from Harvard, then ventured into real estate development at Blackstone before returning to Starwood's W Hotels. In 2010, he partnered with influencer hotelier André Balazs to expand Balazs's hospitality brand, which involved renowned hotels like The Mercer and Sunset Beach. However, Lalvani's desire to execute his vision led him to leave W Hotels, eventually being invited back by Balazs to take a significant leadership role. Lalvani successfully acquired control of the company and began to reshape the brand creatively, despite challenges related to living up to the legacy of Balazs. His leadership catalyzed the expansion of the Standard hotel brand, resulting in ten new properties in locations such as Singapore and the Maldives. Additionally, in 2014, he sought to broaden the market by investing in the Bunkhouse Hotel Group, which operates boutique hotels in various cities. Recognizing a trend towards tourism in overlooked secondary markets, Lalvani has strategically targeted smaller cities such as Louisville, Kentucky and Lisbon, Portugal. His efforts focus on building a welcoming and unique experience for guests across these properties, demonstrating his commitment to hospitality and innovation within the industry. To continue this trajectory, Lalvani has agreed to remain as President and Creative Director for all Hyatt brands while maintaining oversight of the brands he already manages.