The Unfolding Saga of Sant Singh Chatwal — Hospitality, Influence and Redemption

From Punjab Origins to Global Hospitality Vision

Born in 1946 in Punjab, India, Sant Singh Chatwal arrived in this world during a period of profound upheaval. His Sikh family, one among many displaced by the Partition, migrated from Western Punjab to Faridkot, where he spent his early years.

What began as humble roots would evolve into a storied journey across continents. In his late teens, Chatwal joined the Indian Armed Forces — a decision imbued with both duty and identity, shaped by the Sikh tradition he upheld.

By the late 1960s, Chatwal emigrated — first to Ethiopia, then to Canada, and finally to the United States — carrying little more than ambition, a strong work ethic, and a turban he refused to abandon.

His first significant venture was not hotels, but food: in Ethiopia he helped run a restaurant, later taking ownership. In 1975 he opened a restaurant in Montreal, and within a few years, his first New York venture — a fine-dining Indian restaurant — would herald the start of something much larger. 

Reinventing Hospitality in New York: From Bombay Palace to Boutique Hotels

In 1979, Chatwal launched the first version of Bombay Palace in Midtown Manhattan — a bold move that introduced upscale Indian cuisine to the high-end dining scene of New York City.

From restaurants, Chatwal himself pivoted into lodging. In 1986 he acquired what would become the landmark President Hotel in Times Square. From there, he built a sprawling hospitality empire under Hampshire Hotels & Resorts. Over time, his portfolio grew to include boutique hotels and lifestyle-oriented properties.

In 2015, Hampshire Hotels & Resorts rebranded as Dream Hotel Group, under which new boutique brands emerged — including The Chatwal, Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, and Unscripted Hotels — blending hospitality with design, nightlife, and cultural flair. Chatwal remained chairman of the board.

A Life Lived in Two Worlds: Family, Identity, and Influence

Chatwal’s life bridged continents and cultures. He remained rooted in his Sikh heritage even as he navigated the cosmopolitan world of New York hospitality.

He is married to Daman Chatwal, and they are parents to two sons: Vikram Chatwal and Vivek Chatwal.

Vikram, the more public-facing of his sons, ventured into modeling and hotels. Under the family umbrella he helped steer the lifestyle-focused aspects of their hospitality business.

Through his dual identity as Indian immigrant and American entrepreneur, Chatwal cultivated connections across communities — blending his Punjabi roots with influence in global business and philanthropy.

Wealth, Recognition — and Controversy

Estimating the net worth of someone like Chatwal is challenging. Publicly available sources differ: one widely cited profile values his net worth at approximately US$ 20 million.  Others are more conservative, offering valuations nearer US$ 10 million.

But these numbers should be viewed in context. Chatwal’s true impact lies less in headline net-worth figures and more in the breadth of his influence: he helped popularize luxury Indian restaurants overseas, pioneered boutique and lifestyle hotels when few were doing so, and powered an entrepreneurial narrative that bridged East and West.

In 2010, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan — one of the country’s highest civilian honours — acknowledging his contributions to hospitality and Indo-U.S. cultural ties.

Yet, the road hasn’t been without turbulence. In 2014, Chatwal pleaded guilty to violating U.S. federal campaign finance laws — admitting that between 2007 and 2011 he had funneled illegal contributions to federal candidates through straw-donor schemes. 

He faced potential prison time, but after more than 300 letters of support detailed his philanthropic engagements and community work, he avoided incarceration.

Legacy Beyond Numbers: A Cultural Bridge and Hospitality Trailblazer

Sant Singh Chatwal’s journey — from a small village in Punjab to skyscrapers in Manhattan — is emblematic of immigrant ambition meeting opportunity. Through his restaurants and hotels, he introduced elements of South Asian hospitality and cuisine to an international audience.

His establishment of boutique-style, lifestyle-oriented hotels helped shift the paradigm in hospitality: no longer just lodging, but experiences combining design, culture, nightlife and community. The rebranding to Dream Hotel Group exemplified that vision.

On a broader level, Chatwal stands as a figure who navigated the complex intersections of identity, business, culture and politics. His story touches on migration, cultural adaptation, ambition, success — and also controversy. Ultimately, though, his impact resonates in hospitality corridors worldwide.

Quick Facts

• Full birthdate / birthday: 1946, born in Punjab, India.

• Net worth (various estimates): ~US$ 20 million ; alternate sources cite ~US$ 10 million. 

• Family: Married to Daman Chatwal; two sons — Vikram Chatwal and Vivek Chatwal. 

• Honour: Recipient of Padma Bhushan (2010).