Roop Partap Choudhary: Blending Indian Heritage with Modern Luxury Hospitality

Roop Partap Choudhary, Executive Director of Noor Mahal Delhi NCR Karnal – An Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott International and Founder of Colonel Saab, London, comes from a family deeply rooted in hospitality. As a second-generation hotelier, he has grown up around the business while developing his own perspective on how Indian hospitality can evolve for a new generation of travellers.

His journey has taken him from Noor Mahal in Karnal to London, where he established Colonel Saab as an Indian restaurant with a distinct identity. Across both businesses, his focus has been on creating places where food, design, culture and hospitality come together.

Building on a Family Legacy

Growing up with the Jewel Classic Hotels, Choudhary developed an early understanding of the hospitality business and the work that goes into creating memorable guest experiences. Over time, he took on a larger role within the family business and became closely involved in the evolution of Noor Mahal.

For him, Noor Mahal represents both a family legacy and an opportunity to reinterpret Indian hospitality. The palace-style property brings together traditional architecture, art and décor with contemporary luxury, and has developed into a destination for leisure, MICE and weddings.

His interest in art and antiques has also influenced the property. He sees design and storytelling as an important part of hospitality, rather than something that simply sits alongside it.

The association of Noor Mahal with Marriott International’s Autograph Collection marks another important chapter in that journey, bringing the property into a global portfolio while retaining its individual character.

From Karnal to London

Choudhary’s entrepreneurial journey took a significant international turn with Colonel Saab in London.

Inspired in part by his family’s story and his father’s service as an Indian Army officer, he created the restaurant as his interpretation of Indian dining for an international audience. The concept brings together regional Indian cuisine, heritage-inspired interiors and a contemporary approach to hospitality.

London presented a very different market from the one he had grown up in, giving Choudhary the opportunity to build an Indian hospitality brand in one of the world’s most competitive dining destinations.

Colonel Saab has since established its presence in London, reflecting his belief that Indian cuisine and culture can be presented internationally without losing their character.

A Focus on People and Experience

Choudhary holds a Master’s degree in Hospitality from the University of Ashland and has specialised in Asian Tourism patterns at the University of Nanyang, Singapore. His professional experience has given him exposure to strategic planning, business development, brand management, corporate sales and people management.

His approach to leadership is closely connected to the realities of hospitality. He places importance on teamwork, transparency and giving people the opportunity to develop, while maintaining attention to the details that ultimately shape a guest’s experience.

Recognition and Responsibility

Choudhary’s work in hospitality has received recognition including the 30 Under 30 Award by Travel India Awards. Noor Mahal has also received recognition across categories including luxury resorts, heritage hospitality, destination weddings and event venues.

His work extends beyond the business as well. He supports initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, youth employment, children’s welfare and elderly care, reflecting the social values associated with his family’s approach to business.

Looking Ahead

Today, Choudhary’s journey spans two very different hospitality environments: a heritage palace in India and an Indian restaurant in London.

Together, they represent the direction he has chosen for his career: building contemporary hospitality experiences while staying connected to the culture, stories and traditions that inspired them in the first place.

For Choudhary, the challenge is not simply to preserve what has been built before him, but to find new ways to make Indian hospitality relevant to the people discovering it today, in India and around the world.