Viraj Sarovar Portico, Bari Brahmana, Jammu

Sarovar sees 500% growth in revenue from direct bookings

Sophisticated dining room with crystal chandeliers and elegant table settings for special occasions

Grand Hotel McKinney Records 50%+ Growth in Direct Bookings

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A Journey from Culinary Excellence to Boutique Hospitality

Most of us do not take the road less traveled. But then you have Sarovar Hotels and Resorts who did, and they became trailblazers in the Indian hospitality industry.

Sarovar operates 96 hotels across 55 destinations worldwide. One of the leading hotel chains in India, Sarovar was founded by Anil Madhok (Executive Chairman) and Ajay Bakaya (Managing Director) nearly a quarter of a century ago. Sarovar Hotels was the first mover in India to adopt the asset-light model, where it manages and services other hotel properties through strategic alliances with other chains.

Sarovar started operations when it took franchises of Park Plaza and Park Inn brands for India. A decade later (circa 2005), Sarovar began promoting its own brands: Portico, Hometel and Premiere. Fast-forward to another decade and the Louvre Hotels Group, one of Europe’s leading hospitality brands, purchased a stake in Sarovar in 2017. Another milestone in this impressive growth story.

Grand McKinney's story is one rooted in passion, vision, and a strong sense of community. Rick, a seasoned restaurateur behind well-known establishments like Rick’s Chop House and Harvest, made a seamless transition into the hotel business with the acquisition of the historic Grand Hotel. Formerly owned by his business partner, the hotel had long complemented Rick’s restaurant ventures by hosting events and accommodating guests close to his dining venues.

Following an extensive one-year renovation, Grand McKinney reopened in June 2022, blending Rick's hands-on hospitality approach with a fresh, welcoming atmosphere. Supporting the property's financial health and operational strategy is Kate, a CPA turned fractional CFO. With a background at industry giants such as Fossil Watch and Frito-Lay, Kate now manages the hotel's budgets, cash flow, and customised guest experience strategies to ensure smooth operations without compromising personal touches.

Historic red brick building exterior at Best Western Premier Westlands with classic architectural charm

Rising to Hospitality’s Unique Challenges
Hospitality demands a unique approach - delivering highly personalised experiences where every detail counts, from lobby music to meal timings. Kate’s expertise in finance has been tailored to manage the complexities of seasonal demand, tight margins, and variable costs prevalent in the hotel industry. Her proactive financial management ensures the Grand Hotel remains both profitable and guest-focused.

Shatabdi Dutta, General Manager (Marketing) at Sarovar, believes that Simplotel’s USP is its digital marketing service. “Simplotel helped us rank in terms of traffic generation across online channels and drive conversions. We received great technical support from the team, which we lacked earlier. The website design is great and user friendly. We have received positive feedback from guests that the booking journey does not take much time, is hassle free, and most importantly, the mobile site is responsive!”

Committed to Community Impact
Grand McKinney’s mission extends beyond accommodating guests; it’s about giving back to the community. A standout initiative is McKinney Roots, a farm and educational center where local second graders learn about food cultivation and sustainability. Fresh produce supports community partners alike, embodying the hotel’s philosophy of unity and care.

Driving Direct Bookings with Simplotel
To enhance operations and boost direct bookings, Grand McKinney partnered with Simplotel. According to Kate, Simplotel’s team delivers not just tools, but strategic support, working collaboratively to increase bookings, improve website engagement, and streamline hotel workflows.

Since implementing Simplotel’s solutions, Grand McKinney has seen impressive results:

Over 50% growth in direct bookings
Website engagement time nearly doubled, from 43 to 87 seconds
Expedia bookings now account for approximately 20%, with direct calls, wedding blocks, and corporate bookings constituting the majority

Simplotel is making an impact beyond India, helping properties like Grand McKinney thrive in the competitive U.S. hospitality market.

Cosy lounge area with plush seating and warm lighting for relaxed gatherings and conversations

Within a year of onboarding Simplotel, Sarovar had hit over 3x growth in revenue from direct bookings. In another year, this growth doubled to 6x since it went live with Simplotel. “We were able to use Simplotel’s technology to begin promotions and campaigns that gave us a major boost”, says Khan. The average monthly organic traffic also nearly doubled for The Louvre Hotels-backed hospitality chain. However, this was only possible as Sarovar had managed to put their vision into action and achieve the almost impossible in such a short span of time.

On personal learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic, both Khan and Dutta agree that they have learned to live life more passionately and prioritize family. On the professional front, they have learned to think out of the box to jumpstart Sarovar’s operations and forge deeper connections with their partners.

Key Lessons from Grand McKinney

Personalised Experiences Matter: Every interaction leaves a lasting mark on guests.
Operational Efficiency is Essential: Careful financial and resource management underpins profitability.
Community Connection Enriches Value: Initiatives like McKinney Roots deepen local engagement.
Technology as a Partner: Simplotel empowers hotels to optimise bookings, web presence, and back-end operations effectively.

Kate’s Advice to Hoteliers
“Your role is about creating moments. When you craft meaningful experiences, your impact goes beyond business - it touches lives and builds lasting memories. That is how McKinney and our hotel truly become unforgettable.”
Leveraging community programs and Simplotel’s scalable technology, Grand McKinney continues to raise the bar in guest engagement, direct bookings, and hospitality excellence, illustrating that the right technology partner can transform hotel operations in any market.