Hotelier, storyteller, and thought leader with over four decades of experience, Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, has transformed GRT Hotels from a regional player into one of South India’s most admired hospitality groups, with 22 operating hotels and an ambitious roadmap to reach 50 by 2026. Cotah is now steering GRT into the global luxury space with the upcoming Fenfushi Island Resort in the Maldives, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection.
Presence over Perfection
“My mantra has always been ‘Presence over perfection’,” avers Cotah. “Perfection is elusive, but presence—being fully there for your team, your guests, and even for yourself—creates trust, resilience, and transformation.”
He expands, “In the toughest of times, I’ve found that showing up with authenticity and compassion matters far more than having all the answers. This belief has guided me from boardrooms to guest interactions, and it continues to shape how I lead today.”
Redefining Luxury
Blending experiential travel with sustainability to redefine luxury, he institutionalised The Great Butterfly Effect—GRT’s ESG framework—embedding plastic-free operations, carbon-conscious guest programmes, and technology-enabled personalisation. He also pioneered Great Being, a wellness-driven approach making well-being central to both guest and employee experiences. ‘Global in standards, Indian at heart’ is how Cotah envisions the future of hospitality. “Guests may come for luxury, but they will return for the authenticity of our culture, our food, our festivals, our spirituality, and the extraordinary human touch that no algorithm can replicate,” he vouches.
Representing the country at the UN International Youth Forum in Bangkok, he positioned Indian hospitality as a model for responsible growth.
Soulful Hospitality
Author of ‘Mojo in a Mango Tree’ and the forthcoming ‘Soul Espresso’, and a passionate mentor, he has built a culture of empowerment at GRT. “The legacy I want to leave behind is soulful hospitality — an industry where success is measured not only by revenues and occupancy but by the depth of human connection we create.”
