Passionate about turning ideas into reality, Vanshika Ahuja is a designer by profession and a hotelier at heart. The intertwined paths that led her life to the hospitality sector were nothing less than a blessing in disguise. Her journey in the seven years of Karma Chalets’ life has been marked by innovation, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact. A positive impact on nature, society and, of course, herself!
Growing the brand from inception to the shape that Karma Chalets has taken today, she sure is a bona fide hustler pioneering and steering her hotel’s wheel to success and glory. In a heart-warming tete-a-tete with Hotelier India, Vanshika shares her journey as a young entrepreneur and her endeavour to make Karma Chalets the ‘best boutique hotel’ in India.
What exactly is Karma Chalet and Karma Lakeland? Tell us all about the origin of the two?
The story of Karma Lakelands starts in the year 1980, when my grandfather started acquiring land in Gurgaon. Later, his son, who was also an environmentalist at heart, started planting trees on his 300 acre property with the idea of creating a community for luxury living while keeping the balance of nature intact. Today, this golf resort is called Karma Lakelands.
Karma Lakelands featured four bedroom villas, a Klub and a set of row houses that were intended for long term stays. 2015 was the year when my uncle approached my mother, Anu Khurana to take over the row houses and convert them into a hotel. Within a week, she took the monumental decision of bringing Karma Chalets to life. Her love for travel and all things tasteful and quaint led her to set up this boutique hotel as an extension of her home.
December 2016, when Karma Chalets opened its doors to guests was the biggest turning point in my life. I just didn’t know it then!
What is Karma Chalets’ USP? What makes it stand out among its counterparts in the area?
The USP of Karma Chalets, beyond doubt, is the 235-acres of bountiful flora that Karma Lakelands provides. Where else in Delhi can one find themselves amidst acres and acres of shrubs and trees while relishing scrumptious meals, indulging in experiential hospitality and waking up to the sound of birdsong? Dense bamboo thickets, arches laden with creepers, sightings of the Indian Fox, Nilgai and even the occasional Porcupine. All this, only 40 minutes from Delhi.
Existing within the eco-responsible paradise that is Karma Lakelands and sustainability being focal in our philosophy, we believe we have an edge over our competitors. Our practices truly resonate with today’s travellers’ who are looking for environmentally conscious brands.
Being a passion project, one can say that Karma Chalets is a labour of love – holistic, home-grown and hand-picked. Personalisation is at the forefront of everything we do here. Photographs that adorn the walls, the hand-painted signages, the hammocks you laze in and every piece of furniture, have all been speculatively selected and curated. The warmth of a home while experiencing the luxuries of a five-star resort blend together to make Karma Chalets truly a unique pick from its competitors.
In 2018, we felt the absence of a little eatery that would complement the Chalets. The inception of ‘Under the Neem’ would be a pivotal point in our journey as this ‘little’ cafe put us on the hospitality map. Unlike most hotels, we positioned Under the Neem as a stand-alone restaurant, giving it a face and a voice of its own. Despite very little marketing, Under The Neem drew in crowds effortlessly – with its relaxed ambience, al-fresco dining, farm to table cuisine and an experience that truly satisfies the soul. The immediate popularity of this Cafe & Kraft Kitchen took us by surprise and has been instrumental in our ever-growing Boutique Hotel.
Lastly, being pet-friendly has further ingrained a common belief in our guests – that we are truly inclusive!
What are some of the biggest challenges in hotel management? How do you go about overcoming them?
My core responsibility is not to take care of my guests. But to keep intact the culture and philosophy of the organization. The intention with which we established the brand and the fundamentals on which rely everything we do. It is the true essence and the fabric of any organization.
As a brand grows and the teams get larger, there is a phase when we reach a point of risk of diluting the culture of the brand. Keeping this intact is my biggest responsibility. I don’t see this as a challenge however but more as my core purpose. Continuing to communicate and sharing the philosophy of the organization with its people can attribute to its success in the long run. If the culture is correct, everything else follows suit. A strong foundation is everything and I work towards building that every day!
What are your strategies to ensure repeat guests at Karma Chalet?
Karma Chalets is blessed with nature in abundance. The moment a guest steps in, the lush green environs beckons them to extend their stay, further deepen their relaxation and plan their next staycation almost immediately. That remainder of desire is attended to by our team’s heartfelt hospitality.
Our philosophy of empowering each team member to make an impact in their little way, vests in them the pride and power which is pivotal in ensuring a ‘wow’ at every touch point for our guests. The coming together of our collective effort is what we call ‘cherry-on-the-cake’!
Feedback from our patrons is our most crucial point of control. A guest that has experienced our services and facilities first-hand is the right judge for giving us their honest and candid observations. We take them seriously. Upon their next visit, seeing their feedback being implemented most definitely will further strengthen and deepen their association with us.
Ensuring employee satisfaction would also be paramount. We believe that in hospitality, the cycle is simple. We take care of our team, the team cares for the guests. The team is truly the pillar of everything we offer- hence ensuring their mental and physical well-being on both personal and professional fronts is very important to us.
A healthy amalgamation of these factors has brought our guests back time and again.
As a young entrepreneur, how easy/ difficult was it for you to get into the business? What are the lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
My entry into hospitality has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride to say the least! Being a Graphic Designer by profession and not having any formal education in Hospitality, I believe I was able to look at the Hotel from a fresh perspective that was not ‘trained’ in the standards of hospitality. This gave me the ability to challenge systems and innovate my own ways.
As a young entrepreneur, full of zeal, passion and a love for design, Karma Chalets became a blank slate for me. From a garden, a wall to the interiors of a Chalet, adding a soul to the space is what I have thoroughly enjoyed the most. I believe that the personality of a brand is most crucial to be established in its formative years. Being involved in the project during this time has helped me shape the brand and its identity within the industry.
I don’t know what fate it was that Karma Chalets fell into my lap, but I do know that everything is influenced by ‘cause and effect’. Awards are by-products that make one feel acknowledged and recognised for the hard work. However, the real reward is in seeing smiling faces, happy employees, and spreading joy and compassion as much as possible. In other words, practice good ‘Karma’. With this basic intention as the core of the culture and philosophy of Karma Chalets, I am humbled to say that we are reaping the fruits of our labour.
My biggest lesson? “You do your Karma, and the Universe will take care of you.”
What is your vision for Karma Chalets?
I want to create a world that fosters connections with people of today and tomorrow. Sustainability being ingrained in our roots, we wish to create an ecosystem that is self-sustained and caters not only to us, but generations to come.
Alone, one can only achieve so much. However, when the sum of all parts come together, the result can be truly magical.
My vision for Karma Chalets is to reach its full potential, for life would come a full circle then and we would have achieved what we set out to.
And lastly, be the Best Boutique Hotel by the year 2025!
