THE FACE OF THE PARK

What are some of your early memories of life in Calcutta?

I’m born and brought up here, I studied in Loreto House and then La Martiniere for Girls. It was a nice Calcutta life — going to clubs with Priti (younger sister) and Karan (younger brother) and of course watching Doordarshan! I remember staying back in Loreto House pretty much every day — for some practise or the other! It was such an amazing, simple school, it was special because it was small. The basketball matches, the phuchkawallah outside school….

At home, I was always encouraged to be the best I could be. The upbringing was very grounded. There were no career restrictions. I went to a feminist college (Wellesley) so we were taught that the sky was the limit. At 10, I had already decided that I wanted to join the family business. After college I did try to go get a job on Wall Street but then the Street crashed and I was back home! I decided to take a month’s break and chill but my father said ‘nothing doing, your first day on the job is tomorrow’. And I’m still there! Of course the job role has changed drastically!

What was your first job at The Park?

The family businesses included tea, shipping and hotels and I started in the hotel division in 1988. I was the marketing manager of The Park in Delhi. I didn’t know anything at all about hospitality so I learnt on the job by asking a lot of questions. After the first 18 months at my job, my father (Surrendra Paul) was killed and we all grew up overnight. The responsibilities shot up suddenly and I went from one hotel to handling three (Calcutta, Vizag and Delhi). To top it all, we had huge union problems and the Indian economy was not growing significantly and the hospitality industry hardly existed.

Things must have been uphill….

Facing a loss like that is a huge challenge for sure, so dealing with the company stuff was easier. Work became salvation. I can only look back now and realise that at that time, one blocked it out. Two weeks after my dad’s death, my mom (Shirin Paul) was made the chairperson of the company by my uncle (late Jit Paul) and she sat in his office. She has been the gentle guiding hand for Priti, Karan and me.

You shared a very special relationship with your uncle…

We grew up in the same house so we had a very close friendly relationship. He was always there for advice, whenever I wanted to bounce off ideas. And considering I started with Calcutta, his backyard, he loved what he saw! His friends spoke about The Park, his friends’ kids hung out at Someplace Else, the buzz was at The Park and the graph was only going up so I had all the freedom and support of the family.

And the rest they say is history!

I asked myself how our small hotel company could be distinctive. The answer lay in design. We used design as the differentiator in product, processes and service. Ian Schrager inspired me a lot and got me thinking that hotels didn’t have to be boring boxes full of brass and marble. One of the first things we did was the redoing of Zen at the end of 1992. We focused on making The Park a hub of the city. We are a boutique hotel collection with a unique view of hospitality. By the end of 1999 we had repositioned all our properties. India took off around the same time. People had the money, they were looking to entertain and be entertained. After stabilising our three hotels, we acquired properties in Bangalore, Chennai and eventually Navi Mumbai and, most recently, Hyderabad.

The Park hotels are different-different and yet same. Is that a conscious decision?

Yes, we are a collection of hotels, not a chain. Each hotel has its unique identity and is not identical to each other. We also have a smaller group of hotels (30-40 rooms) in unique locations like on the beach in Goa and Vembanad Lake, Kerala…. And we have just launched ‘Zone by The Park’ that will primarily be managed properties. Four hotels have already been signed under the brand and the first will be operational by the year-end. These will all have the essence of The Park at, let’s say, cheaper prices. There is room for 100 rooms in smaller cities.

Is it true that you choose every fork yourself?

(Laughs out loud) Yes it’s very true! I am actually involved in all the decision-making, what goes on in every little bit. I am always on the look around for new things. And good designs that work are more long-term. For instance, if it’s a great set of cutlery we are happy to repeat it. So it’s true that there is a lot of me in every hotel. I am not a hotelier, artist or designer but my worlds all intersect at The Park.

Shirin, Priti, Priya and Karan Paul at the centenary celebrations of Apeejay Surrendra Group at The Park, Hyderabad

And then there is the passion for food…

I have also done a course at Le Cordon Bleu as a teenager. And yes, I poke my nose in everything our chefs do!

What’s your food dream?

Indian food really interests me. I wish to celebrate our unsung dishes and its ingredients.

THE ARTISTA

How did the interest in art develop?

The art part comes from growing up in Calcutta! We all did fine art classes as kids and our parents used to take us to art exhibitions when they went to buy art for the hotels.

Your first art purchase was...

A Raja Ravi Varma print when I moved to Delhi. It cost me Rs 500.

What’s your personal collection of art like?

I like contemporary art, ephemera in particular.

You have also built an envious collection for the hotel…

Twenty years ago, hotels didn’t have much original art. I decided to put up an original piece of art in each bedroom. Slowly I started collecting and also commissioning art for the hotels and now we have a lot of art that moves around hotel to hotel. There’s also a storage place in Delhi that has about 1,000 works!

THE FASHIONISTA

How would you describe your wardrobe?

It has everything from traditional saris to contemporary saris, trousers, suits and then I also wear evening dresses. My look is relaxed, more comfortable. I love statement accessories and, of course, shoes!

And how is your wardrobe planned?

Do I have acres of wardrobe space and a room that opens out, dedicated to my stuff? No! But that is my dream cupboard! (Laughs) I have small cupboard space and hence my stuff is all over the house. My wardrobe is very organised.

Is it colour-coded?

Yes, mostly colour-coded.

Do you organise it yourself?

Well I prefer supervising it and there is a proper system in place. Whoever does it, has to follow it.

Your five favourite accessories of the moment?

Hmmm. What do I like at the moment? Well, there’s this ebony ring by Alice Cicolini and a necklace by Baby Baniya — handpainted miniatures and metal thrown in. YSL Tribute sandals in black, the lower, more comfortable heels — Priti would have the higher ones! A navy blue ikat kurta by Pero that I love throwing on and a Louis Vuitton Kusama Neverfull. It holds it all and is graphic and arty.

Next on your shopping list?

(Stops to think) Good question! Can’t I tell you what I bought last?! A necklace from En Inde. Though I am not a necklace person, I like rings and earrings.

And thanks to you, The Box at The Park is such a treasure trove!

Well, thank you! I didn’t want a store that sold carpets and jewellery. The Box reflects the aesthetic of The Park. I come across so many products that use Indian craft and design. The Box is a showcase of modern Indian design, it’s an edited selection by me, let’s say a curated collection of gifts….

THE JUGGLER

Just one word — HOW?

My son Vir is eight and it’s a task to balance home and work. It’s a question you have to ask yourself — do you want to do three more hours of work or spend time with your child. Luckily, both I and my husband (Sethu Vaidyanathan) work for ourselves so it’s flexible. I try to be home every evening so I can spend quality time with Vir till he sleeps but sometimes there are events that one has to go for. We also try to take him with us whenever we can.

My motto is simple — work hard, play hard. It sounds cute but it’s not really that cute. It’s hard finding that balance. It’s about letting go, putting your feet up, enjoying every moment of life and making time for your parents/ kids/ friends. And remember, every day can’t have the perfect balance so don’t get stressed.