In 2003, armed with a BSc in Hospitality Management from IHM Institute, Mumbai, I stepped into my illustrious Kamat family business, a journey guided by the legendary Dr. Vithal Venkatesh Kamat, my father and mentor. With a commitment to transforming our brand, we've grown from a regional gem to a pan-Indian powerhouse, a name synonymous with quality, value, honesty, and hospitality.

In 2005, the challenge to rebrand and establish new hotel outlets led to the birth of the new rebranded chain established known as "Vithal Kamats - Original Family Restaurant" which was done to set itself apart from the other Kamat family restaurants that were not owned or part of the Vithal Kamat Group. Today, this brand flourishes across 60 locations in multiple states, cherished by patrons across generations and is now a separate company headed by other family members. Vishal decided to focus more on the Hotel space considering the huge potential ahead. Hence, the Orchid brand is now growing with new locations opened in Shimla, Manali, Dehradun, Jamnagar, Pune and many more. The Orchid brand has seen remarkable transformation, reaching new heights,

The latest Foray into an upper-mid segment of hotels with IRA by Orchid Hotels, has also been received very well and is now growing to Nasik, Aurangabad, Bhavnagar and many more locations across India.

In 2012, the hospitality industry faced a formidable downturn, testing their mettle as a family, as a business and a brand. In 2014, with the torch passed from Dr Kamat to Vishal, with the responsibilities to dive head on to the challenges which he steered for a decade. Turning adversity into a captivating financial adventure story which now has become a case study on financial turnarounds. The hard work of Vishal’s team, innovative teamwork and right consultants, and unwavering determination, dedication and discipline of the family, brought about a remarkable turnaround, scripting a finance adventure, which can easily be termed as a novel-worthy tale of success.

Today, Kamat Hotels stands strong, poised for national expansion. Our brands - The Orchid, Lotus Resorts, and IRA by Orchid Hotels - are thriving, cherished by patrons across India. As we march into the future, we're committed to upholding the Kamat name's legacy, developing each brand with its unique identity, and offering patrons an experience that embodies the essence of our cherished heritage. Exciting times lie ahead, brimming with new ideas, fresh challenges, and unwavering dedication.

Ira, a name deeply rooted in tradition, takes inspiration from the Sanskrit word for Earth and pays homage to the revered Goddess Saraswati, symbolizing knowledge, wisdom, art, and music.

Created by the visionary minds of the Kamat Family, renowned for their exceptional F&B and warm hospitality, IRA is a chain of upper-middle-market hotels that seeks to expand the legacy of Asia's First 5-Star Ecotel brand, The Orchid.

IRA by Orchid Hotels is a new-age, upper mid-segment brand designed for the contemporary traveller. Catering to the well-travelled, young at heart, and eager to explore new horizons.

At Ira, our vision is to become India's leading middle-market hotel brand that not only provides exceptional experiences for our guests but also positively impacts the lives of our team members and partners. We are driven by a collective desire to increase literacy across India and empower the girl child, merging social responsibility with outstanding hospitality.

Integrity is the cornerstone of our values, guiding every aspect of our work. We prioritize the well-being of our guests, our organization, and ourselves, ensuring that honesty and transparency define our actions.

Empowerment lies at the heart of Ira’s ethos. Each member of our team is committed to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, going above and beyond to make their stay truly remarkable.

We are result-oriented, dedicated to achieving our goals and targets while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We believe that success should never come at the expense of our values.