By Neha Mehrotra
At the helm of the splendid Noormahal Palace Hotel, where history meets modern luxury is Binny Choudhary, a woman of remarkable vision and unwavering determination. As the Managing Director of Noormahal Palace Hotel, she has not only woven together the threads of art, culture, and culinary finesse, but has also embarked on a journey that is inspiring for women on a global scale.
We sat down with Choudhary to learn about her plans to promote India’s culinary heritage globally through her hospitality ventures.
As the Managing Director of Noormahal Palace Hotel, your journey serves as an inspiration to women worldwide. Could you share the inspiration behind how you got started in the hospitality industry?
Binny Choudhary: My journey in the hospitality sector started with my husband. Even when he was in the Indian Army, he had always dreamt of building a palace hotel that would celebrate Indian royal heritage. I have a keen interest in artwork, antiques, and interior decoration and was drawn to the idea of working on something that would allow me to expand and explore this area. So, it was our good fortune that our dreams and passions found common ground. Working on Noormahal Palace from the very beginning and seeing it grow step by step into this beautiful entity has been extremely satisfying.
With Noormahal, you’ve created a space that celebrates culture, art, and culinary excellence. Can you further elaborate on the unique elements that make it an ideal wedding destination?
Binny Choudhary: Big fat Indian weddings are a favourite; they will never go out of fashion. While creating the Noormahal Palace Hotel, weddings were a key element that was on our minds. We have curated spaces such as banquets, amphitheatres, lawns, etc., keeping specific requirements for weddings in mind. For instance, the backdrops have been designed in such a way that the aesthetics enhance the photographic quotient of the functions. One of the key elements of a wedding is the food that is served. Our kitchens are capacitated with the latest equipment and a team of expert chefs to cater to wedding parties of all sizes. We also have ample royal accommodation chambers that can host the wedding guests comfortably. An added advantage is that Noormahal Palace is located at a comfortable distance from major cities in the north, which gives solace from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and lets the wedding party enjoy the celebrations without any hassle.
Taking India’s art and cuisine to London during challenging times through Colonel Saab was an ambitious move. How did you navigate the complexities of such an endeavour?
Binny Choudhary: London was a new territory for us, and it had its challenges, but we were navigating through finding our path. When we were hit by the pandemic, work was in full swing for Colonel Saab, and for a short while, we didn’t know how things would proceed. After a very short initial shock, we recovered quickly and started working on our plans and lining up things for when movement would be allowed. It was our strong planning and perseverance that helped us overcome the complexities and challenges of those times. We made ourselves ready to go as soon as we were allowed to resume work on the ground.
Noormahal Palace Hotel has received numerous awards. Can you share your most memorable moment and what it means for you and your brand?
Binny Choudhary: Fortunately, Noormahal Palace has been able to achieve what we envisioned for it. It has been showered with awards and accolades, but our most prized accomplishment is the appreciation, love, and endorsement of our guests. We feel proud and motivated to experience a high percentage of repeat guests and personal recommendations from them to other guests.
In your view, how can the luxury hospitality sector lead the way in setting sustainable practices for the broader industry? And how have you incorporated the same?
Binny Choudhary: The luxury hospitality sector has always been known for innovating and setting new benchmarks for the industry. When it comes to sustainable practices, the luxury hospitality players also have to take the lead and set a good example for the industry as a whole. Once they implement sustainable practices such as preservation and recycling of water, reducing food waste, reducing power consumption, embracing automation, business community support, etc. it will ripple through the industry.
What are your upcoming plans or ventures that will help promote Indian heritage and luxury on the global stage?
Binny Choudhary: We are delighted that Colonel Saab has, in a very short time, made a good mark on the global platform. We are planning to increase our global footprint very soon and extend the remarkable experience and brilliance of Indian culinary art and the glorious Indian heritage to a wider global audience.
On Women’s Equality Day, what do you think is the most critical message you’d like to share with women who dare to dream big?
Binny Choudhary: These are exciting times for women who are talented and motivated to achieve their ambitions. This is the time of transformation when a lot of industries that traditionally underestimated women are now realising the benefits of having female employees. On the one hand, organisations are focusing on improving gender equality by including talented women; on the other, women are powering their way to better opportunities in diverse sectors. So, this is the time to dream big and make it happen for yourself.
