Maya Hotels marks 25th anniversary of first ground-up hotel

MAYA HOTELS RECENTLY celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first ground-up hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Belmont in Belmont, North Carolina. The event marked the hotel's evolution from a 65-room establishment in 1999 to a modern 92-key hotel, while showcasing original site plans, franchise approval letters, snapshots from the 1999 grand opening and earned awards over the years.

IHG Hotels & Resorts representative Jason Miller, local government officials, along with associates, community members, vendors and investors attended the event.

“We came to the United States with nothing, but we knew one thing – this is the land of opportunity,” said Baldev Thakor, Maya Hotels’ cofounder.

“We knew we wanted to build a Holiday Inn Express in this community and we knew there were many guests not being served,” J.D. Deva, Maya Hotels cofounder, said. “Here we are, 25 years later, and it has been a remarkable journey."

The event came after a leadership transition, with founders Thakor and Deva passing the torch to Parimal Thakor as president and Krishna Deva as CEO.

“This hotel has been the launching pad for every hotel that has come after it within Maya Hotels,” said Parimal Thakor.

“We look forward to building upon this foundation, collaborating with our incredible teams, and continuing to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences,” Krishna Deva said.

Community engagement

The hotel has been engaged in community initiatives in Belmont and nearby Mt. Holly, North Carolina, for the past 25 years, Maya Hotels said in a statement. It sponsors local teams and events and partners with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the USO, Sisters of Mercy, the YMCA, and Paws for Claws Belmont. Additionally, it has contributed a $15 million economic impact through job creation, taxes, and tourism.

"We are very appreciative of this hotel and the community involvement that you’ve had over the years," said David Moore, Mt. Holly mayor. "In 2018, when Hurricane Florence came through, you partnered with Holy Angels to house those impacted. That’s looking after each other. And that’s what it’s all about, lifting each other up. I think that’s what this family has done since the day they got here. We’re really appreciative of that.”

“It’s an incredible achievement,” said IHG’s Miller. “When you think about it, it’s over a quarter of a century of welcoming over half a million guests who have enjoyed your amenities and great customer service. What makes this hotel and company special is your team that creates memorable experiences for all those guests. Maya Hotels gets it. Everyone is incredibly engaged in always making it better for our guests. And that’s what makes a great company. Congratulations on 25 years!”

Maya Hotels, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, was established in 1995. Its portfolio includes 10 properties with over 1,000 guest rooms across North Carolina and South Carolina, affiliated with brands like Hilton, IHG and Marriott.