Today we’d like to introduce you to Parth Shaha.
Hi Parth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started on my path by acquiring an overleveraged hotel in need of a lot of TLC back in 2008. It was a 60-room Super 8 in Kenosha WI. Over the next 4 years, I improved the property, many hours to make ends meet, and expanded operations with the purchase of an underperforming Red Roof Inn (Arlington Heights, IL). I knew at this point in my life I was willing to sacrifice just about everything you see 20-year-olds indulge in so that I could enjoy the best of the other decades.
My singular focus in life at this point was growth. This focus combined with the ultra-competitive market (O’Hare airport) I was operating in, I learned what it takes to make a hotel successful. I consistently ranked one of the top performing Red Roofs in IL, WI, and IN. Expedia.com also recognized my property as occasionally being the top seller in the entire Chicago Market. I took that success, doubled down on risks combined with some good advice, and accumulated 4 hotels.
In January 2019, I took my management staff on our annual vacation. We came to Ana Maria Island. We avoided the polar vortexes in Chicago at the time and with a heightened sense of gratitude, I met some of the local hotel operators. Every single interaction highlighted for me what I was missing. I had all the success in Chicagoland, but none of the satisfaction of serving the guests. When I returned to Chicago, I contacted the best hotel broker (also a close friend) to list the hotels.
By August, I had moved to Sarasota and acquired my first independent hotel. Now I own the Golden Host Resort & Florida’s Oldest Tiki Bar, the Bahi Hut.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an entrepreneur is like choosing to hike through a forest that doesn’t have a trail. You never really know where you’ll end up but hopefully, there’s a waterfall at the end. It’s a rough path but the adventure and the destination propel you forward. If it’s in your blood, you won’t be content in life without exploring.
I’ve lived on instant ramen noodles, chosen to be alone in my early 20s, and worked just about anytime I wasn’t sleeping. Everyone I ever met with a similar path sacrificed a lot to achieve the future they want. It’s a struggle but a necessity. The struggle is relative though. For me, it was a conscious sacrifice, so I learned to appreciate every bump along the way that taught me to love a new perspective on life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Golden Host Resort & Bahi Hut. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Golden Host Resort & Bahi Hut operate separately. The hotel is a 50’s lodge resorted and updated with modern amenities. We strive to make everything from check-in to the time guests spend on-site to be a part of their vacation instead of just the place they sleep. This means integrating with their experience. We do this thinking of what a guest may need and preempt it. For example, we have free community beach items rental. Guest borrow chairs, toys, umbrellas, or ice buckets from this space. That saves them the hassle of traveling with these items or paying for it at the beach. We text our guests, they can request changes, services, and even recommendations this way. The end goal is to create a space where guests enjoy it enough that they think of it as part of their vacation rather than just the spot they go to sleep.
The Bahi Hut has a rich history on the North Trail. It has its own jingle that was played often enough on the radio in the ’60s-’80s (I’m not certain of the time frame) that I have guests sing it to me after a couple of Mai Tais. I took identity and what I see as a need in the community, and I’ve geared all my efforts towards building it further. We renovated the inside of the hut in 2020, we’re currently adding a Tiki Hut. Every guest experience starts with an Aloha and sometimes ends with what gave us the famous nickname “The Bye Bye Hut”.
Independently, the goal for each business is its own path. We’re also focusing on offering an overall experience that combines both things. This year, we started offering our space for weddings. We’ve already hosted several birthday parties, reunions, and festivals.
Pricing:
- Wedding venue rental $3,500+
- Rooms $110+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.goldenhostresort.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BahiHut
