From Law to Luxury
At 31, Anirudh Reddy has traded courtrooms for convention floors — and taken on the challenge of reinventing one of Hyderabad’s most recognisable hotel properties. His ambition goes beyond a makeover: to turn an ageing legacy into a contemporary hospitality destination, while building a 1,000-room portfolio by 2030
When Anirudh Reddy took over the legacy Marriott properties in Hyderabad in 2023, the iconic Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Center as well as the Courtyard by Marriott near Tankbund, he stepped into an industry far removed from his legal training. Yet, less than three years later, the young hotelier is reshaping the narrative around one of the city’s most recognisable hospitality landmarks, blending legacy with a sharp, contemporary sensibility.
The 31-year-old entrepreneur’s entry into hospitality, by his own admission, was “accidental.” Unlike many in the sector who inherit generational hotel businesses, his upbringing was not rooted in the trade. What he did inherit, however, was exposure. “Growing up in Hyderabad, we travelled a lot and stayed at some of the best hotels. That stayed with me,” he says. What began as curiosity has now evolved into a hands-on leadership role overseeing multiple properties and an ambitious expansion roadmap.
Taking charge of an ageing property came with its own set of challenges. “It took us nearly a year just to stabilise operations,” he notes, referring to the extensive operational overhaul required. The hotel, which had seen years without consistent management, demanded both immediate fixes and long-term vision. The first order of business was deceptively simple: upgrading fundamentals. “A good bed and a good TV: that’s what any guest expects. We started there,” he says.
Reimagining a legacy property
Reddy’s vision is to reposition the hotel as one of India’s top convention destinations: a bold goal at a time when large-format properties are becoming increasingly rare. With 538 rooms across three properties (Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Courtyard and the Marriott Executive apartments in Gachibowli), they are already well placed in the sector with room to grow.
Central to this strategy is tapping into Hyderabad’s overlooked old city charm. “The newer parts of the city are growing rapidly, but the older parts have been neglected. There’s an inherent character here that we want to bring back,” he explains. Ever since, he took over as Promoter, four floors were refurbished (only a bare shell existed earlier) and additions include a state of the art gym, salon, a rooftop space (Vayu) and a swanky convention center on the top floor which is aimed towards the younger generations. Designed by Hong Kong based Karen Wang, the interiors are swanky, opulent yet ensuring that one feels comfortable amidst them.
Interestingly, Reddy has been deeply involved in design decisions, often challenging conventional layouts. From opening up room spaces to avoid a sense of confinement to enlarging wellness areas despite initial pushback, his approach reflects both instinct and user-centric thinking.
Reaching for the sky
Beyond a single property, Reddy is steering a broader expansion strategy while the goal is to scale up to 1,000 rooms by 2030. Unlike aggressive, debt-heavy expansion models, his approach is measured: reinvesting internal accruals and scouting for distressed or undervalued assets.
“We believe hospitality is a stable business, not one that will see explosive growth like tech. So we have to be cautious,” he explains. This pragmatism extends to operations as well, where he maintains a close watch on occupancy rates, average daily revenue, and capital expenditure decisions.
His legal background, however, remains one of his biggest strategic advantages. Educated at Jindal Global Law School and Indiana University, he has had a ring side view of solving complex issues.
Today, his role straddles both oversight and restraint. While he actively drives capital expenditure and strategic direction, he allows Marriott’s operational team the autonomy to run day-to-day functions. “It’s important not to interfere too much. Their success is aligned with ours,” he notes.
What began as an unlikely pivot from law is fast becoming a defining chapter in Hyderabad’s hospitality story. The real test lies ahead, but for now, the signs are clear: this is not just a revival, but the making of something built to last.