Biki Oberoi redefined hospitality through his hotels

Jaipur: Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi was a pioneer, a visionary, and a perfectionist with an unmatched eye for detail. One of the tallest stalwarts of the Indian hospitality industry, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi aka Biki Oberoi sailed against the wind and set a benchmark for the Rajasthan hospitality sector.

When the Oberoi group’s first vilas hotel, the Rajvilas, Jaipur, opened in 1997 it was then, the most expensive resort hotel ever built in India. While the industry debated whether he had risked the company by investing so much, Biki as he was known in the hospitality sector, never looked over his shoulder. He went on to build the other two Oberoi Resorts in Rajasthan, the ‘Vanyavilas’ Ranthambhore, and the “Udaivilas, Udaipur which have all created a unique brand recall dominating the lists of the world’s best hotels.

The esteemed Chairman Emeritus of the Oberoi Group, breathed this last on 14 November 2023 at the age of 94. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, the secondhighest civilian award in the country, P.R.S Oberoi is credited with opening of several heritage properties across India for the affluent traveller.

“Oberoi transformed the Indian hospitality industry and built some of the world’s finest hotels, setting new standards for luxury and creating a great luxury hotel brand. His legacy includes the Oberoi Vilas hotels, which are considered a breakthrough for Indian hospitality. Oberoi’s commitment to quality and his dedication to creating hotels he was proud of have left a lasting impact on the industry,” said a source.pact on the industry,” said a source.