Rajit Sardana’s story is a fascinating tale of resilience, adaptability, and passion. From managing hotel lobbies to selling cancer drugs, running restaurants across continents, and overseeing luxury residences – his journey is proof that true hospitality is about people, precision, and the passion to serve.
Tell us about your journey in hospitality. How did it all begin? And what exactly is Central Park Estates and St. Jerome? We’d love a little background…
I studied Hotel Management at the Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai. Back then, if you were in hotel school, the ultimate dream was to get into the Oberoi School of Hotel Management, Taj’s management trainee program, or WelcomGroup’s Hotel School. That was the gold standard.
Fortunately, I got into both the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD) and the ITC School. I chose ITC and started as a management trainee in 1992, posted at WelcomGroup’s Sea Rock Sheraton as the Lobby Manager. Then, in 1993, the unfortunate happened, Sea Rock was impacted by a terrorist incident. Managing that crisis so early in my career was intense but invaluable. It shaped my ability to handle high-pressure situations, a skill that has stayed with me throughout my journey.
In 1994, I made a big move to Australia and joined Renaissance Hotels as a Night Manager. At that time, not many Indian hospitality professionals were moving to Australia, so I had to start from the ground up. Then came a major shift—I transitioned into pharmaceuticals. By 1996-97, I left the hotel industry, joined Roche, and started selling pharma products. It was a completely different world, but I embraced it. Over time, I moved up to Field Sales Manager and eventually Director of Sales. By 2001, I had stepped into medical devices, learning about the human body, surgeries, and medical science. It was fascinating.
But F&B was always in my DNA. In 2002, I opened my own restaurant in Australia, and that’s how Rajdhani Indian Restaurant was born. In its very first year, we won the title of Best Indian Restaurant in Australia—again in 2005!
In 2009, I returned to India and launched a restaurant venture in Baroda. Eventually, I got involved with Ginger Hotels, where I managed F&B for 16 restaurants until 2021-22. Then, I decided it was time to return to Australia and focus on my three restaurants and two food trucks.
But destiny had other plans. A meeting with Amarjit Bakshi, Chairman & MD of Central Park Estates, changed everything. His vision for residential hospitality was inspiring, and it sparked something in me. It was fresh, purposeful, and something I knew I wanted to be part of. He offered me a role, and in January last year, I joined Central Park Estates.
Today, I head St. Jerome, Central Park Estates’ hospitality arm. Our mission is to ensure residents experience hospitality like never before – a luxury lifestyle where every little detail is taken care of. Our core philosophy is Seva Bhav which is deep-rooted service from the heart. It’s something we instil in everyone, from the guards at the gates to the servers at the clubs. And it’s making all the difference.
How different is it working in a ‘residential hospitality’ concept as compared to a hotel?
It’s a completely different ballgame. At Central Park Estates, we’re not just operating a hospitality business; we’re creating an ecosystem for our residents. The infrastructure we manage is larger than five-star hotels. Unlike hotels, where guests come and go, our residents stay long-term. This means, we must constantly innovate to keep them engaged with our services, dining options, and community events. The expectations are higher, and so is the responsibility to deliver a seamless living experience.
How do you keep residents engaged with your facilities and restaurants?
That’s one of our biggest challenges. We achieve this through personalized service and a dynamic events calendar. For instance, we host book launches, stand-up comedy nights, Sufi evenings, celebrity concerts for festivals, and more. Our goal is to make our clubhouses an extension of our residents’ living rooms, where they feel comfortable and entertained.
Who is your target audience, and do you see this segment growing?
Our residents include high-net-worth individuals, expatriates, and professionals who appreciate luxury living. The demand is growing rapidly, especially among those who want a five-star living experience without the hassle of hotel stays. That’s where our newest recreation space, Sakura Town – a members-only club, comes in, which caters specifically to the Japanese and Korean expat community.
