Posted by: Seclude Dec 06, 2023

The Accidental Hoteliers: Turning Your Passion Into a Booming Business

At the young age of fifty, when most of their peers were thinking about their retirement, Ramit Sethi and Rohit Sethi were thinking, “Yeh dil mange more!”. They could not be more different in their approach to life; Rohit followed his heart every step of the way and Ramit followed his ambition all the way to the top. And then in the second half of their lives, through the twists and turns of fate, both roads eventually led to Seclude!!

In 2009, Rohit Sethi, a CA with a penchant for interior design and a love of the mountains, started his journey with a simple mission; to own a home in nature. Enter Seclude—Rohit’s brainchild that emerged from a desire to infuse the hospitality scene with a hearty dose of warmth, humour, and style.

“Each home we make is a labour of love and work of art. Out of 117 rooms across all our properties, no two rooms will be the same. Each property is a challenge on its own and a pleasure to build. It was my dream to own an iconic home in the hills and now, through Seclude, I have 19 across Himachal, Uttarakhand and Kerala!” said Rohit Sethi.

In 2019, Ramit Sethi, a corporate conqueror and angel investor, decided to take on the challenge of turning hillside homestays into a flourishing business. He spent the first half of his life climbing the corporate ladder, achieving milestones that would make any LinkedIn profile blush. But, as he approached the golden age of 50, a restless spirit, a love for the road, and the call of the unknown started tugging at him. So when his childhood friend, Rohit Sethi, reached out, he accepted with joy.

“We wanted to build homestays and resorts where we can bring our friends with pride and live like Kings in the wilderness. We realised that the hospitality industry was missing the balance between a personal touch and genuine connection, and good business sense. Through Seclude, we aim to fill this gap and redefine luxury travel in India,” said Ramit Sethi

From a corporate career to co-founder of Seclude, Ramit didn’t just change careers; he orchestrated a lifestyle revolution. The early days of Seclude were the ultimate challenge for him, where every day an ocean of possibilities beckoned and new ideas and problems emerged simultaneously. But the thrill of adventure and the desire to do the impossible drew him to Seclude and under his expert guidance and nontraditional approach to hospitality, Seclude grew leaps and bounds and broke the mould.

As non-hotelier hoteliers, Ramit Sethi and Rohit Sethi bring a unique perspective to the business, one that is more customer centric and cost conscious. They didn’t just stumble upon the hospitality industry; they jumped into it headfirst, bringing with them a fresh perspective, a touch of warmth, and a commitment to creating a space that feels like home. And through ups and downs and bridges over roadblocks, these two childhood buddies turned their passion into the vibrant, youthful haven that is Seclude Hotels Homestyle.

And now, years later, as this dynamic duo approaches their 60s, they show no signs of slowing down. If anything, they’re revving up the engines for the next adventure, the next laugh, and the next story waiting to be written and the next generation waiting to bloom. Together, Ramit and Rohit are the heartbeat of Seclude, and age is just a number in their playbook of fun. Forever young at heart, they run a company that embodies the spirit of perpetual discovery.

Seclude Hotels Homestyle isn’t just their business; it’s their playground, and every guest is invited to join in the fun.