Amandeep Singh Grover

An Accidental Hotelier

General Manager, Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa

From cricket fields to luxury suites, Amandeep Singh Grover talks to us about building hospitality with heart. Returning to Hyderabad and opening Hilton here has been a dream for him, a homecoming to celebrate

Text by Reshmi Ramakumar

For Amandeep Singh Grover, General Manager of Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa, hospitality was never part of a grand, early plan. In fact, he calls himself “an accidental hotelier,” a phrase he repeats with both honesty and pride.

“I was actually a cricketer at heart,” he says, looking back at a very different beginning. “I was training and gearing up to play for Hyderabad, but things didn’t work out at that point. My coach told me, you are a people’s person, why don’t you try hospitality? I listened, and that’s how it all began.”

What followed was a journey that took him across the world, shaping his understanding of people, places and what truly defines hospitality. “I went to Switzerland to study, and over the last 27 years, it has been a very interesting journey,” he reflects. “I have to thank my mentors, my teams and of course my family, my wife and daughter, for supporting me through it all.”

Coming back to Hyderabad, however, feels like a full circle moment. “I left as a boy and have come back as a man,” he says. “Opening Hilton in Hyderabad was always a dream.” But this return was not just about nostalgia. It was also about contribution. “When I got this opportunity, I wanted to bring something to the city that it hadn’t experienced before, a branded luxury resort, but also one that carries the nuances of Hyderabad’s culture and legacy.”

That idea of blending global experience with local identity runs through everything he does. “We wanted to bring back Hyderabad’s lost legacy, if I can put it that way,” he explains. “The architecture, the design, even the smallest details reflect Telangana’s culture.” He is quick to acknowledge the role of the larger team in shaping this vision. “The ownership and the architect were very clear about bringing local elements to the forefront, and that’s where everything came together.”

Ask him about luxury today, and his answer is refreshingly straightforward. “Luxury is misunderstood and overrated,” he says. “For me, it’s very simple. It’s about how you make a guest feel. When you leave home, you miss comfort. If you can recreate that feeling in a hotel, that’s luxury.”

He believes that while brands, design, and scale all matter, they are not what guests remember most. “It’s the human touch. It’s how you connect with people, how you make them feel at ease. That’s what defines luxury for me.”

That philosophy is also why he places so much emphasis on local culture. “I think it has always been important, but somewhere along the way, we lost touch with it,” he says. “Hotels started to modernise and create a different identity, but your roots are where you belong.” At the Hilton resort, this comes alive through multiple touchpoints. “We bring in local flavours, local experiences. At breakfast, for instance, we have regional dishes like punugulu, idiyappams, and more. It’s also about educating guests, helping them discover something new.”

Food, in his view, is one of the strongest connectors in hospitality. “Great food connects people. It always has,” he says. “Hyderabad has an incredible culinary legacy, but many dishes are being forgotten.” That sense of responsibility is what drives the culinary direction at the resort. “We try to bring back those flavours, whether it’s through high tea or curated menus. It adds a layer of authenticity to the experience.”

Over the years, he has also seen how the definition of hospitality itself has evolved. “It’s an ever-changing landscape,” he explains. “Guest expectations are very different today, and they continue to evolve, and they expect a certain level of service.”
Yet, despite all the changes, he believes one thing has remained constant. “The human element,” he says. “Serving from the heart, with a genuine smile, that doesn’t change.”

What has perhaps changed the most, however, is the profile of the modern traveller. “The new generation brings a very different perspective,” he says. “Gen Z, Gen Alpha, they look at hospitality in a completely new way. Their expectations, their approach to travel, even their understanding of balance, it’s very different from what we grew up with.”

For him, staying relevant means learning continuously. “I learn a lot from my teams,” he admits. “They bring fresh ideas, new ways of thinking. It’s very inspiring.” Even at home, that learning continues. “My 13-year-old daughter keeps me updated,” he says with a laugh. “The way this generation thinks is phenomenal. It teaches you to adapt.”

This openness to evolve is also supported by the culture at Hilton, a brand he has been with for over a decade. “Hilton empowers you. They trust you, they believe in you, and they give you the freedom to build your vision,” he says. It’s a culture he feels deeply connected to. “The leadership is always there when you need them, and that gives you the confidence to do your best.”

For him, leadership is not about hierarchy, but about people. “The magic is created by the team and they are the most important part of what we do.” He also acknowledges the role of his family in enabling his journey. “Hospitality demands long hours, and I am grateful for their support.” he says.

As he continues to shape Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa, his focus remains clear. It is not about scale or spectacle, but about experience.

“At the end of the day, a successful experience is when guests leave happy,” he says. “If we can achieve that, everything else falls into place.”