Sixty-year-old Radha Arora, president of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts—a locus for luxury in 15 countries, ranging from The Bahamas to Beijing—started his career at the impressionable age of 17 as a busboy at Paris’s iconic Hôtel de Crillon. Son of a foreign diplomat, Arora travelled often, stayed in spectacular hotels and met fascinating people along the way.
“I always knew I wanted to work in hospitality. But, to go on to land a deal with Hôtel de Crillon to make it a Rosewood (property) later in life was very exciting,” he remembers.
The entrance of Rosewood London
In his career spanning over three decades, Arora, who joined Rosewood—owned by the family of Hong Kong-based billionaire Henry Cheng—in 2011, has met a long list of luminaries. One of them was prolific fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
“Working with Karl during the completion of Hôtel de Crillon was certainly a highlight. His legacy lives on through the design of Les Grands Appartements, two breathtaking suites which were painstakingly designed by him and are the epitome of Parisian high design and style,” he adds.
His love for luxury permeates through his closet as well. “Some of my wardrobe staples include Hermès scarves and pochettes, bespoke glasses from Benoit, Paris, and shoes by John Lobb. Almost every item in my wardrobe is tailor-fit, mostly by Cifonelli in Paris,” reveals the Les Roches graduate.
Radha has a wide collection of vintage records
Travelling has never left its allure in Arora’s life. His best ideas are illuminated when he’s on the road; he loves being in bustling cities and likes to spend his summers at JK Place in Capri. “It is a spectacularly beautiful hotel and the design elements truly echo the coastline it sits on, allowing for a memorable and relaxing visit each time,” he adds.
A framed picture of David Bowie that hangs in Radha’s office
In an age where everything is guided by the fleeting nature of the Internet, Radha cherishes authenticity. He is now eagerly anticipating the reopening of Rosewood Little Dix Bay. “It’s a beloved island escape originally founded by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. It will not only relaunch the timeless retreat but will bring a new age feel to the destination of Virgin Gorda and the British Virgin Islands,” signs off Arora.
