Exclusive Interview | Swati Agarwal, Radisson Blu Hotel, Resorts and Spa, Udaipur

“Luxury today is not about marble floors or thread counts – guests can find that anywhere. What they cannot find everywhere is Udaipur.”

— Ms. Swati Agarwal, Spokesperson & Owner, Radisson Blu Hotel, Resorts and Spa, Udaipur

Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
It began with a deep interest in people, culture, and service excellence… Each experience, each team, each property taught me something new. And Udaipur chose me as much as I chose it. There's a magic here that you simply can't manufacture, and my job has been to honour that magic while building something modern and meaningful around it.

Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
Heart. You can train someone on operations, SOPs, revenue management, but you cannot train someone to genuinely care… The best hoteliers I've met are endlessly curious and endlessly humble.

Editor: How do you ensure that Radisson Blu Udaipur Palace Resort & Spa delivers not just luxury, but memorable cultural experiences for guests?
Luxury today is not about marble floors or thread counts… We've made it our mission to put Udaipur at the heart of every stay, from food and performances to curated city experiences. My team are cultural ambassadors of Udaipur.

Editor: What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?
I hire for attitude, always. Skills I can build. Mindset, I cannot… Integrity and humility are non-negotiable. Come in ready to learn, with energy, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Editor: What advice would you give to a young, aspiring hotelier for their internship?
Treat it like it's your name on the door… Shadow across departments, talk genuinely to guests, make mistakes, and learn from them. In hospitality, attitude is everything.

Editor: What is the single factor that got you your promotion?
Consistency, without a doubt… I never chased a promotion. I focused on doing my work with honesty and intention, and the rest followed.

Editor: What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?
Personalization, sustainability, experiential travel, and wellness tourism… At Radisson Blu Udaipur, we've already committed to zero single-use plastic and are pushing further.

Editor: What tech would you like to see in operations? What operational problems need tech solutions?
Tech should empower people, not replace them… Real-time integration across PMS, CRM, housekeeping, and guest apps would be a game-changer. Predictive analytics and automation in energy, inventory, and staff scheduling can reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Editor: Two things you would like to change in the industry.
First, structured career pathways for frontline employees. Second, the culture of long working hours… A well-rested, motivated team will always outperform a burnt-out one.

Editor: What is your favorite question for a candidate interview and why?
"Tell me about a time you went out of your way to create a memorable experience for someone." Their joy in telling that story tells me if they’re truly wired for hospitality.

Editor: Looking ahead, what’s the next big initiative or project you’re most excited to launch in 2026?
We’re deepening our eco-conscious luxury positioning, expanding hyper-local cultural programming, and continuing to invest in our people… Guests should leave Udaipur feeling like they truly lived it for a few days.