Hospitably Yours...!
This hotelier couple from Ahmedabad is all about leveraging the very Indian adage of Athithi Devo Bhava in business as well as in life. Here’s getting up close and personal with the elegant Sne- ha Vithalani Agarwal and significant half Panil Agarwal whose togetherness includes not only their kids but also their rapidly spreading hotel line
Each morning sees this power couple adding yet another touch to the running of their family hotel—a touch that not just includes the latest gourmet item for their guests or yet another facility, but a touch that goes above and beyond to add that extra, which makes all the difference between hospitality and uber fine hospitality. “Sure enough, we are living in times of intense global travel, business meets and exposure. The guests want and expect the best. But at the end of the day what sets you apart is your rootedness in your own very culture," says Sneha.
Sneha Vithalani Agarwal & Panil Agarwal
She would know
Born and brought up in a Rajkot-based business family, she’s married to the Ahmedabad-based Panil Agarwal, a second-generation hotelier. “I am a Gujarati, while he’s a Marwari. Both cultures are all about manvar (hospitality) or making the guest feel special. It’s something we have learnt from our elders in the bosom of our homes. Little things add up; God lies in the smallest details and so does hospitality,” she expresses. “Both Panil and I try to bring this to our work", she adds.
While she has a master’s in economics followed by an MBA in marketing, Panil has a degree in hotel management. Like other aspects of their experience, this complements their partnership too.
Back to the beginning
This love story was first scripted in college even as Sneha decided to surprise her fellow student and friend with a surprise visit to her family- owned hotel in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
The friend happened to be Panil’s sister, and the rest as they say, is history. “It’s actually my mom who saw her first and fell in love with her fresh-faced beauty at first sight,” he smiles.
Panil met her too and was drawn to her sparkling, effervescent persona, to say nothing of her serious side. (She’s an economics topper from Mumbai University!)
The rest, as they say is history. From the outset there was much to bring and keep this seemingly opposite pair together. “We may seem different,” nods Panil. “After all, she’s this very effervescent, outgoing personality who has a natural flair for dealing with people. I, on the other hand, am reticent and quiet. But if you look beyond the surface, we are actually very similar at the core. Both of us are workaholics, ambitious and passionate about work. But at the same time, we are very particular about our personal relations with family. Our two kids are pretty much at the centre of all we do.”
"Between work, home and kids, it’s all too easy to lose sight of each other. But one must never forget that our spouse is the one person who makes the greatest difference to our lives "
— Panil Agarwal
Sneha adds: “It is also a big blessing that my mother-in-law has always been involved in the running of their family hotel in Mount Abu. Not only does this result in greater understanding and appreciation from our in-laws but helps our work too.”
It isn’t easy to manage the all-important work-life balance given the ever expanding scope of work and the long hours necessitated by the world of hospitality. Apart from this the duo has a big social circle with some invitation or the other to attend to. “So, I make it a point to spend afternoons with my kids. Be it studies or doing some fun activity together, quality time together is very important,” says Sneha.
Given that they have been together for twelve years now, what, as per them, is at the heart of a happy and healthy marriage? “Prioritising each other,” they say promptly. “Between work, home and kids, it’s all too easy to lose sight of each other. But one must never forget that our spouse is the one person who makes the greatest difference to our lives. Thus, spending the time and effort to care for each other is so important,” says Panil.
Travel buffs both, they love taking short trips together to various spots nationally and internationally. “While on holiday, we make it a point to take in different culinary experiences together. What does hospitality mean to different folks? What kind of wine and cheese and chocolates do they serve? We make it a point to expose our children to these different experiences as well,” expresses Sneha. “This is an important part of their education too.”
Like everyone else, they have their share of fights too. After all, both are headstrong and thinking people with passionate views on life for work. But, the important thing is for one person to take a step back while the other is annoyed or upset, they add. “Unlike me, he rarely loses his cool. But when he does, he is very angry indeed. So the trick is not to let matters escalate,” says Sneha.
It helps though that the duo’s appreciation for each other is mutual and apparent. While Panil admires her go-getter spirit and her attention to detail, Sneha points out how down-to-earth, approachable and humble he is. “Everyone admires this side of him. Despite coming from a privileged background, both his words and actions are thoughtful, and considerate he is. These are tremendous qualities to have,” she says.
Bringing up the babies
The couple is a great one for the ‘good cop, bad cop approach’ when it comes to their bundles of joy-Ananshi (9) and Aayansh (4.5 years.) “It is a time-tested and useful approach to parenting. This keeps the balance at home. One parent is soft while the other person enforces discipline. In our case, it’s Sneha who is the stricter parent,” says Panil.
Both are particular about the children trying hard at school and taking up one particular sport with gusto, and doing the best they can whilst enjoying themselves. “We don’t insist they top the class. We just want them to be clear on the concepts,” explains Sneha. To that end, it is important to focus on each child’s individuality and interests. “As far as I can tell, Ananshi is inclined towards the arts. She loves to draw and is very observant. She has a very creative take on things,” says Sneha. “At the moment, Aayansh is too young for us to figure out his exact interests, but he takes a phonics class.”
But, whatever the children take up in the years to come, hospitality and people skills will be at the heart of the parenting focus.