Choosing a hospitality consulting company: large firm, boutique or independent?
There are three kinds of hospitality consulting company in India. Each has strengths. Here is how to decide which one your project needs.
- Large firms, boutiques and independents compared
- Questions to ask in a pitch
- An honest view from an independent
- Owner-side only
- Paid by hotel owners, never by brands or vendors
- 100+ hotel projects
- Advised across India
- 50+ hotel brands
- In Amit’s working network
- 40+ cities
- From metros to tier 2 and 3 markets
Three kinds of hospitality consulting company
Owners looking for a hospitality consulting company in India will find three broad types.
Large international or national firms
These are the hotel advisory arms of global real estate and professional services firms, and a few large specialist houses. They have extensive data, research teams, valuation capabilities and recognised names that some lenders and investors prefer. They are strongest on large transactions, portfolio valuations and institutional work. Their fees reflect their overheads, and on smaller projects the senior names may be less involved than the proposal suggests.
Boutique hospitality consultancies
Smaller firms with a handful of consultants, often founded by former hoteliers. They are usually more hands-on and flexible, and many offer services that span feasibility to operations. Quality varies widely, and some boutiques also earn from brands, suppliers or recruitment, which can affect their advice.
Independent consultants
Individual experts, sometimes with a small team, who are personally accountable for the work. The best combine senior experience with complete independence. Their limits are capacity and, for some, breadth.
Large firm, boutique or independent
Generalisations, of course. Individual firms differ.
| Large firm | Boutique | Independent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior involvement | Varies by project size | Usually high | Highest |
| Research depth | Highest | Medium | Medium, field-based |
| Breadth of services | Wide | Wide | Varies |
| Independence | Usually good | Varies widely | Usually high |
| Fees | Highest | Medium | Medium |
| Best for | Large transactions, valuations | Most hotel projects | Owner-side accountability |
Matching the consultant to the project
The right choice depends on your project and what you need from the consultant.
If you are raising institutional finance for a large hotel, or need a formal valuation for an investor, a large firm’s name may carry weight, and their research depth can be valuable. If you are a business family building a 50 to 150-room hotel in a tier 2 or 3 city, you are likely to get more senior attention, more practical advice and better value from a boutique or a strong independent, provided they are genuinely on your side.
Amit Parmar’s practice sits between the boutique and the independent. Amit leads every engagement personally, which gives owners the accountability of an independent consultant. He is supported by a small senior team of directors covering operations, finance and kitchens, which gives the breadth of a boutique. And he works only for owners, with no fees from brands or suppliers.
That combination suits most hotel owners in India well. It is less suited to very large portfolio valuations, where Amit is happy to work alongside a large firm on the owner’s side.
Questions to ask in a consulting pitch
Whichever type of hospitality consulting company you consider, these questions will help you compare them fairly:
- Who will personally lead the work, and how many days will they spend on it?
- Which three projects most similar to mine have you advised, and can I speak to the owners?
- Do you receive any income from brands, operators, contractors or suppliers?
- What exactly will I receive, and when?
- What will you do if your research says my project should not go ahead?
- How do you charge, and what is not included?
Listen carefully to the answers, and especially to how comfortable the consultant is with the third and fifth questions. You can put all of them to Amit in a first conversation, and read about his work on the success stories page.
Hotels Amit has advised
Every tag is a real hotel. Sarovar, Clarks, Lemon Tree and more, across six states.
Is a bigger hospitality consulting company always better?
Not necessarily. Large firms are strongest on big transactions and valuations; for most owner-led hotel projects, senior hands-on attention matters more.
How do I verify a consultant’s experience?
Ask for specific projects similar to yours and speak to the owners. Amit can arrange such calls with consent.
Can you work alongside a large firm?
Yes. On large projects Amit often advises the owner alongside a firm providing valuation or transaction services.
What size of projects do you take on?
From 40-room midscale hotels to 100-room five-star properties and resorts, plus hospitality ventures such as banquet venues.
Is The House of Hospitality a hospitality consulting company?
Yes. It is the advisory firm Amit founded and leads; this site presents the same team and services under his name.
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