Aalia Collection’s Kinwani House
Aalia Collection‘s Kinwani House redefines luxury stays, offering a paradise of bespoke experiences that elevate every moment into something extraordinary. The name itself evokes a sense of royalty that wraps you with an air of regality, where refined tastes meet unparalleled sophistication. TheGlitz reveals the secret behind this in an exclusive interview with Kavinder Besoya, COO of Aalia Collection.
Aalia Collection emphasises quality over quantity when it comes to offering premium services and growing its property portfolio. Prime location being a key differentiator, the brand also prioritises delivering exceptional offerings that reflect the unique charm of its location. This approach ensures guests enjoy an authentic, elevated stay that highlights both luxury and a deep connection to the destination.
Kavinder Besoya stepped into his role as Chief Operating Officer of Aalia Collection in March. He’s embarked on an exciting new chapter with the goal of redefining bespoke luxury hospitality in India through distinctive settings, personalised service, and a culture built on trust and teamwork, and he has lessons to share.
In an exclusive interview with Rajeev Mokashi, Co-founder of TheGlitz, Kavinder shared insights into his transition from the telecom industry to his passion for creating extraordinary experiences in luxury hospitality.
With over two decades of expertise in luxury hospitality, including an impressive 14-year journey with Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Kavinder has established himself as an industry leader. In his role as AVP Sales and International Marketing, he successfully elevated the global presence of Trident and Oberoi’s luxury portfolio across the US, Europe, and Middle East markets. His leadership encompassed iconic properties like the Oberoi Amarvilas, Rajvilas, Vanyavilas, and Udaivilas, each representing the pinnacle of Indian luxury hospitality. His outstanding contributions were recognised with the ‘Best Salesperson of the Year’ award and inclusion in the prestigious list of the industry’s ‘100 Most Influential Leaders’. Over to Kavinder Besyoya.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Congratulations on the recent launch of your new luxury boutique property in Rishikesh, Kavinder. Can you tell us what makes Kinwani House so unique from other luxury accommodations in the market?
Kinwani House stands out in the luxury bespoke segment for several compelling reasons. Its unique location near Rishikesh, set on a private hillside with sweeping views of the Ganges, immediately sets it apart from typical luxury offerings. The property’s royal heritage, being a former residence of the erstwhile ruling family of Uttarakhand, adds a layer of exclusivity and historical significance that’s rare in the hospitality sector.
What truly distinguishes Kinwani House is its intimate scale – just six suites on two acres of land – allowing for a level of privacy and personalized service that larger luxury hotels struggle to match. The careful restoration of the 1954-built structure, blending Art Deco design with modern luxury under the royal family’s supervision, preserves a unique architectural character. This combination of exclusive location, royal heritage, intimate scale, and architectural uniqueness creates a bespoke luxury experience that caters to discerning travellers seeking more than just opulence, but a deeper connection to the cultural and natural heritage of the region.
How do Aalia Collection properties in general differ from other luxury accommodations in the market?
The Alia Collection offers a truly exclusive luxury experience across diverse locations, each property designed to feel like a personal retreat. Our focus is on customization and privacy, catering to high-end travelers who seek individuality in their stays.
Our portfolio spans from the Himalayas to the beaches of Goa, each location offering a unique concept. In the mountains, we have Kinwani House, a heritage property with sweeping Ganges views. Alia Jungle features 11 luxury tents and a presidential suite spread across 25-30 acres. In North Goa, just 15 minutes from Anjuna Beach, we offer 16 spacious villas, each over 3,000 square feet, with private pools and dedicated staff.
What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service. Each property comes with personal butlers, private chefs, and experience curators who can arrange bespoke activities. We even offer helicopter services at some locations. Our goal is to provide a luxury experience where guests feel like royalty, with every aspect tailored to their preferences.
Kavinder, gathering a robust experience in the F&B industry working with top-notch properties across India, what has been your core specialisation?
So, Rajeev, throughout my tenure in the hospitality industry, sales and marketing have been the cornerstone of my career, marked by a steady progression from assistant sales manager to AVP of Sales and Marketing. The transformative 14-year chapter with Oberoi Hotels provided a comprehensive understanding of hotel operations beyond my core expertise. I was involved in what could be considered “startup” projects – opening new properties like Trident Gurgaon and Sukhvias Chandigarh, and reopening removed hotels like Oberoi Delhi.
Oberoi’s robust training ensured a holistic grasp of luxury hotel management. As part of the executive team, I often served as Manager on Duty during evenings, holidays, and weekends, gaining hands-on operational experience. This multifaceted exposure has been invaluable in my current role, which encompasses all aspects of hotel management from A to Z, blending my sales and marketing expertise with a deep understanding of luxury hospitality operations.
How does Aalia Collection approach sustainability and eco-friendliness in your luxury offerings?
Sustainability has always been a key focus for Aalia Collection. Despite being a young brand launched in March, we’ve made significant strides in sustainable luxury hospitality. Our eco-conscious initiatives span across every aspect of the guest experience, from our strictly plastic-free environment utilising glass bottles in rooms and steel bottles in excursion vehicles to our exclusive line of sulphate-free and paraben-free toiletries. We use metal dispensers instead of plastic containers, use paper straws and recyclable takeaway containers, and ensure all condiment containers are reusable. Our signature lemongrass-infused collection of amenities, available across all properties, reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability.
At the heart of our operation lies our farm-to-table excellence, with organic farms at both Kinwani and Aalia properties providing fresh, high-quality produce daily. Our in-house dairy production from Jersey cows ensures the finest dairy products for our guests, while our partnerships with local vendors minimise our carbon footprint from transportation. This comprehensive approach perfectly balances luxury with environmental responsibility, though we continue to evolve and enhance our eco-friendly practices to set new standards in sustainable hospitality.
“We are truly organic at heart, not just for the sake of a label or website feature. We deeply believe in embodying this philosophy in both letter and spirit, and it reflects the legacy we aim to build as a brand moving forward.”
Kavinder Besoya, COO, Aalia Collection
Tell us about the food choices at Kinwani House.
We’ve reimagined luxury dining by eliminating standardised buffets in favour of personalised, made-to-order experiences. Our kitchen masterfully creates authentic dishes across multiple cuisines—Indian, fusion, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese—each customised to guest preferences. This approach ensures every meal reaches the highest standards of quality and freshness, setting us apart in the luxury hospitality segment.
Given your remote location, sourcing ingredients must be quite a challenge. How do you manage to make it work?
Operating in Uttarakhand gives us a unique advantage in sourcing fresh, local ingredients daily, be it meat or vegetables, through our centralised system and organic farms. Each morning, fresh supplies are transported from Aalia Jungle to Kinwani, ensuring the highest quality of ingredients. Unlike traditional hotels that rely on large refrigeration units and stored ingredients, we’ve designed our service around minimal storage and maximum freshness. This approach ensures our premium-paying guests enjoy the highest quality dining experience, with dishes prepared using fresh ingredients rather than preserved supplies.
Led by celebrated consultant Chef Vaneet Wadhera of Indian Accent fame and Chef Arvind from Raas Rajmahal Jaipur, our culinary team caters to sophisticated global travellers. We specialise in authentic, region-specific preparations across Indian, Italian, and Chinese cuisines, capable of recreating memorable dishes our guests have experienced at premier dining destinations worldwide.
Can you describe your target clientele and how the needs have evolved over the years?
Our luxury experience appeals to discerning travellers aged 30 to 65 who appreciate and seek bespoke hospitality. These guests are typically well-travelled, financially accomplished, and have a sophisticated understanding of luxury concepts across global destinations. While our core demographic spans this age range, we welcome any guest who values highly customised, premium experiences.
Our clientele, whether they’re from India or international markets like Australia, the UK, or France, share a common appreciation for personalised luxury. The distinctive pricing and positioning of our properties naturally attract those who understand and value meticulously curated experiences. While we’re particularly attractive to seasoned luxury travellers, we also welcome younger couples seeking to elevate their travel experiences beyond conventional luxury offerings.
Are there any emerging travel trends that are influencing your company’s strategy?
Emerging travel trends show that global travellers prefer small, bespoke accommodations over large hotel chains. Exclusive private villas, such as those in Lake Como, Italy, cater to this demand, offering luxury with personalised services, albeit at a high cost.
During the pandemic, Indian travellers’ preferences also shifted towards privacy and comfort, favouring private villa experiences. Now, Indian tourism is adapting, creating similar offerings to meet the demand from affluent travellers seeking exclusive, personalised stays. This trend ensures guest privacy and caters to a more individualised experience. I strongly feel that is what is defining the luxury landscape and the future, appealing to both global travellers and the Indian market.
If you could invite any two people living or historical to stay at one of your properties who would they be and which property would you choose for them?
Leonardo DiCaprio for Kinwani House, given his strong advocacy for animal welfare and commitment to fighting animal cruelty.
Matt Damon for Aalia Villa in Anjuna, Goa—given that he filmed parts of The Bourne Supremacy at Palolem Beach in North Goa.
What would you title a book about your journey in luxury hospitality, and what key message would you want readers to remember?
The book would be titled A Layman’s Guide to Luxury Hospitality, reflecting a journey that began unexpectedly in sales and marketing within the telecom sector, later leading into the hospitality industry. It captures lessons learned from both mid-market and luxury hotel experiences, offering practical insights for aspiring professionals.
Last throw, looking ahead what are your company’s future plans for expansion or new offerings.
Aalia Collection, a unit of JPL Hospitality Services, is a debt-free entity with strong financial backing and is poised for significant expansion in luxury hospitality. We’re launching a new luxury villa concept with private pools and a state-of-the-art club at Alia Jungle Resort and Spa near Rajaji Tiger Reserve, with construction set for late 2025 on a 10-acre plot. Plans also include taking over and renovating Alia Ganges in Haridwar, a unique property on the pristine side of the Ganga with a helipad for affluent travellers, offering a rare license to serve alcohol and non-vegetarian cuisine in the area.
Beyond these, the company is exploring additional properties within India and Europe, focusing on luxury boutique hotels with personalised services like butlers and concierges, aiming for exclusive, high-end experiences.
