From the Ground Up: A Q&A with Nupen Patel, Founder of K&K Hotel Group

K&K Hotel Group is a hospitality company defined by its attention to detail, operational excellence, and people-first approach. Under Nupen Patel’s leadership, it continues to expand its portfolio and uphold its mission: People | Process | Product.

Q: Nupen, you've been in the hotel industry since you were a kid. Can you tell us how that early experience shaped your path?

Nupen Patel: Absolutely. I grew up around hotels. My family was in the business, so I spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs—cleaning rooms, helping at the front desk, whatever needed to be done. I didn’t realize it then, but those years gave me a deep respect for every role in the industry. That foundation taught me that no detail is too small and that success comes from the ground up, not just from the top.

Q: What motivated you to start K&K Hotel Group in 2008?

Patel: It was about building something that reflected my own values and vision. I’d seen what worked and what didn’t in the industry. Starting K&K in Houston gave me the chance to do things my way—with a focus on strong people, clear processes, and excellent product delivery. From day one, I’ve reinvested in the company. Any profit we earned went right back into building our team, expanding our portfolio, and improving operations.

Q: Your company motto is “People | Process | Product.” How did that come about?

Patel: It came naturally from our way of working. Everything we do depends on our people. If you don’t have passionate, committed staff, you can’t deliver on anything else. Then comes process—we use proven systems, state-of-the-art operational programs, and quality control that keeps us consistent across properties. Finally, the product: our hotels must speak for themselves through cleanliness, design, and guest experience. That formula has worked for us.

Q: How does K&K Hotel Group stand apart in such a competitive space?

Patel: Attention to detail. We don’t cut corners. Whether it’s construction, management, or guest service, we approach each property as if it’s the only one. That level of focus is hard to maintain as you grow, but we’ve built a team that believes in the same mission. We also balance guest experience with investment performance. That means we make choices that are smart for our partners, but never at the expense of quality.

Q: Can you talk a bit about your portfolio and what types of properties you focus on?

Patel: Right now, we own and operate a range of hospitality assets, including franchises from IHG and Marriott. Those are brands we trust and have built strong relationships with. We focus on high-performance assets—hotels that not only do well financially, but also deliver on brand expectations. We’re strategic about growth. Every property has to meet our standards and fit within the bigger picture.

Q: What role does associate development play in your model?

Patel: It’s a major part of our success. We believe in growing people from within the company. Many of our leaders started in entry-level positions and worked their way up. That creates loyalty and builds a culture of excellence. We provide training, mentorship, and clear paths for advancement. If we want our guests to have a great experience, we have to start by investing in our associates.

Q: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of K&K Hotel Group?

Patel: We want to keep expanding, but with purpose. That means continuing to grow our portfolio while staying true to our core values. We’ll keep improving our systems, strengthening our team, and looking for opportunities that align with our mission. The industry will always change, but our foundation—people, process, product—will stay the same.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to build something in this industry from scratch?

Patel: Start small, learn everything you can, and don’t skip steps. Build a team you trust, stay focused on quality, and reinvest in your own growth. This business isn’t easy, but if you stay disciplined and put your heart into it, you can build something great.