How the Patels Shaped Hotels, Motels & Legacy

Hotels, motels, and the Patels have a long history. The Patel Hotel Group began in California in the 1940s. They turned simple rooms into a successful chain. Their story shows hard work, community, and bold vision. Origins of the Patel Hotel Group In 1942, Kanji Manchhu Desai rented the initial Patel single room occupancy (SRO) in Sacramento. He and two friends did not have much cash. They were illegal aliens. They worked nonstop. Eventually, brought more Patels into the business over time. However, they learned the lodging business on the job. They cleaned rooms, fixed pipes, and welcomed guests themselves. Because profits were small, the family worked together. Trust between family members helped them grow. However, the Patel Hotel Group built its business step by step. Scaling Hotels and Roadside Motels Then, after SROs, they moved to roadside motels. Patels saw chances along the highways. These motels were cheap. They needed fewer workers. Many of them were small and old. But th...