By Nicole Di Tomasso
In 1971, Dr. Steve Gupta emigrated to Ontario from India at age 22 with only $108 in his pocket. Since then, he has built The Gupta Group, into an award-winning hotel ownership and management company based in Markham, Ont. known for its diverse portfolio. With 25 hotels across Ontario and Quebec in its current portfolio, the company has grown into a significant player in the hospitality industry and solidified its reputation for creating valuable, sustainable and guest-centric experiences.
“Post-COVID, we’ve noticed that our guest needs have changed,” says Reetu Gupta, Ambassadress, The Gupta Group. “First, service needs to be quicker and more seamless. We’re fortunate to work with brands such as Hilton and Marriott, which enable us to offer digital keys and online check-in for our guests. Additionally, guests are seeking experiences, not just a stay, so we incorporate various activations throughout our hotels that guests can explore.”
Last year, the 184-room Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville opened, marking the brand’s Canadian debut. Designed by Studio Munge, Canopy Central, the hotel lobby, features layered interiors, curved edges and organic motifs complemented by a local art collection.
The property pairs oak features with copper accents to highlight the connection between nature and cosmopolitan life. The hotel’s guestrooms also incorporate the brand’s iconic canopy bed while public areas include an indoor pool, a fitness centre, a transfer lounger and 3,500 sq. ft. of meeting space. Under the leadership of executive chef Justin Raponi, the hotel boasts two onsite dining options — Día and Virtu Café & Provisions.
In fact, “Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville was awarded Hilton’s Lifestyle of the Year for North America in its first year of operation,” says Gupta.
Most recently, the 224-room Revery Toronto Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton opened. The hotel is a nod to theatre and film concepts, featuring Muse Lobby Bar, a modern concession stand where guests can meet over bespoke cocktails, coffee and small bites, and the Box Office, check-in pods with big screen backdrops playing classic black-and-white movies and historic images of Toronto’s landmarks. Additionally, the guestrooms are equipped with curved full-length mirrors and lighting applications that create a glamourous dressing room look.
Gupta says both hotels have been performing well. “Downtown Toronto hotels, on average, achieved more than 70 per cent occupancy, with an average ADR of more than $250 across all service levels,” she says.
With 25 properties in its current portfolio, Gupta says the company’s most exciting upcoming project is in Toronto’s Distillery District. Located at 60 Mill Street, the 31-storey, 392-room IBI Group-designed hotel will feature a below-ground speakeasy, meeting space and ballroom, spa, gym, a 31st-floor restaurant, and a rooftop bar and lounge complete with an outdoor patio and pool. The base structure of the hotel will feature a re-development and restoration of the historic Rack House D, which has yet to be integrated into the Distillery neighbourhood.
“Success, for me, is happiness,” says Gupta. “It means following your heart and passion. My advice for [aspiring entrepreneurs] is to listen to that inner voice that guides you. Follow it, and when you do, the universe steps in to guide you toward your soul’s purpose and happiness.”
The Gupta Group envisions a future of continued growth and expansion within the hospitality and real-estate sectors. It will remain a leader in the hotel ownership and management, adapting to emerging market trends and anticipating future needs in hospitality.
“We’re growing and diversifying,” says Gupta. “The goal is for this company to be multi-generational.”