Sant Singh Chatwal, Businessman
Businessman

Sant Singh Chatwal

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Founded the Dream Hotel Group and multiple hotel brands operating internationally.

Sant Singh Chatwal is an Indian American businessman and founder of the Dream Hotel Group where he is chair of the board. He has founded numerous hotel brands including The Chatwal, Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, and Unscripted Hotels, which operate in the United States and internationally.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

In 1979, Sant Singh Chatwal opened Bombay Palace in Midtown Manhattan, introducing the first fine-dining Indian restaurant to that area, long before Indian cuisine became globally trendy.

The Story

1
✈️ In 1964, at age 18, Sant Singh Chatwal joined the Indian Armed Forces and served as a fighter pilot on INS Vikrant, India's first aircraft carrier, a rare military role for Sikhs at the time.
2
🌍 In 1967, Chatwal moved to Ethiopia where he refused to remove his turban or cut his beard to work for the national airline, choosing instead to become a restaurant teacher and then owner, marking his first venture into business abroad.
3🍽 In 1979, he opened Bombay Palace in Midtown Manhattan, the first fine-dining Indian restaurant in that area, which later expanded internationally to London, Hong Kong, and Canada, pioneering Indian cuisine on the global stage.
4🏨 During the 1980s, he started buying hotels in the then-depressed Times Square area, anticipating its revival which began in 1982 with Marriott's Times Square Marriott, showing his early eye for urban real estate transformation.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Ellis Island Medal of Honor

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1967, Chatwal refused to remove his turban or cut his beard to work for Ethiopia's national airline, leading him to switch careers and become a restaurant owner instead.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Sant Singh Chatwal receiving the Padma Bhushan Award from President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi (2010).
Sant Singh Chatwal receiving the Padma Bhushan Award from President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi (2010).
2010
Sant Singh Chatwal attending the Asian American Human Rights Watch event in New Jersey (2010).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Punjab, British India
Sant Singh Chatwal was born into a Sikh family in Western Punjab, which later became part of Pakistan after Partition.
1946
🌟
Other
Family fled Partition to Faridkot
At age one, Chatwal’s family fled Western Punjab during Partition and resettled in Faridkot, Punjab, India, starting anew as small merchants.
1947
⚡
Career
Joined Indian Armed Forces
At 18, Chatwal joined the Indian Navy and served as a fighter pilot on INS Vikrant, India’s only aircraft carrier.
1964
⚡
Career
Moved to Ethiopia and started restaurants
He moved to Addis Ababa, declined to cut his hair or remove his turban for airline work, and instead became a restaurant partner and owner.
1967
⚡
Career
Opened Bombay Palace in New York
Chatwal launched Bombay Palace, the first fine-dining Indian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, later expanding internationally.
1979
⚡
Career
Invested in Times Square hotels
He began buying hotels in Times Square before its revival, which started with Marriott’s commitment in 1982.
1982
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Career
Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The real estate crisis forced Chatwal to file for bankruptcy, restructuring his hotel holdings into Hampshire Hotels & Resorts.
1990
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Career
Largest independent US hotel owner
Operating 13 hotels with 3,000 rooms valued at $750 million, Chatwal became the largest independent hotel owner in the US.
2006
🌟
Other
Pled guilty to illegal campaign contributions
Chatwal pled guilty and was fined $500,000 for illegal campaign contributions to federal candidates, including Bill Clinton.
2014
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Chatwal served as a fighter pilot on INS Vikrant, India’s first and only aircraft carrier, shortly after joining the Indian Armed Forces at age 18 in 1964.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In the 1980s, Chatwal bought hotels in the depressed Times Square area before its renaissance began in 1982, anticipating a major urban revival.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

By 2006, Sant Singh Chatwal operated 13 hotels with 3,000 rooms valued at $750 million, making him the largest independent hotel owner in the U.S. at the time.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sant Chatwal On Those Who Made It On October 21st!
More from this archive
Sant Chatwal On Those Who Made It On October 21st!
01
Sant Chatwal On Those Who Made It On October 21st!
Launch of International Centre for Sikh Studies | Sant Chatwal Donates $1m
02
Launch of International Centre for Sikh Studies | Sant Chatwal Donates $1m
Interview with Sant Singh Chatwal.AVI
03
Interview with Sant Singh Chatwal.AVI

🌱 What changed because of them

Sant Singh Chatwal transformed Indian cuisine’s presence on the international dining scene by opening Bombay Palace and expanding it worldwide. His early investments in Times Square hotels contributed to the area's urban renewal in the 1980s. Despite legal controversies, his Dream Hotel Group redefined lifestyle hotel branding in the U.S. hospitality industry.

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