Mr. Karna Timbadia

DIRECTOR - SAJ Hotels PVT Limited

Karna Timbadia is the Director of Saj Hotels Pvt Limited, he has played a major role right from the inception and development of the properties. He is a highly accomplished professional in the hospitality industry, with nearly 20 years of experience in the field. He has headed the customer service department, and internal training programs and handled a range of activities as part of the leadership team including Corporate Sales, Property Development, Marketing and Promotions, Wedding Planning, and Holiday Activities amongst several other portfolios.

Karna’s educational journey began with his schooling at Utpal Shanghvi School in Juhu, Mumbai. He further pursued his passion for hotel management and successfully completed his higher diploma in Hospitality Management from Kohinoor IMI. During his course, Karna’s talents were recognized as he won accolades, including a second-place award for menu planning in intercollegiate competitions.

Early in his career, Karna worked with renowned hotels such as Kohinoor Continental, JW Marriott, ITC Maratha Sheraton, Amby Valley, and Hyatt Regency. These experiences provided him with a diverse range of skills in sales, customer service, and business development within the hospitality industry.

In 2006, Karna embarked on an entrepreneurial journey and opened a vibrant and popular cafe in Vile Parle, Mumbai, called 'Alibaba.' The cafe catered mainly to college students, providing a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for them to relax and unwind.

Karna's passion for the culinary world led him to become a part-owner of Bonobo, a reputed bar and restaurant that focuses on excellent drinks and fantastic music. He further expanded his portfolio by establishing Cafe Nemo and Jamjar, adding more diverse dining experiences to his repertoire.

In 2015, Karna made significant strides with the opening of Saj By The Lake in Malshej Ghat. This picturesque location offered a serene dining experience overlooking the natural beauty of the surroundings. Additionally, Karna successfully opened a restaurant near Imagica, housing two distinct brands—Maati Baani, the flagship restaurant of Saj By The Lake, and a franchisee of Kailash Parbat.

Continuing his journey of innovation, Karna worked on the development and management of Mahe, a contemporary coastal cuisine restaurant, and Roboto, an authentic Japanese cuisine restaurant, both located in Goa. In 2022, he achieved another milestone with the opening of Saj In The Forest, located in Pench National Park.

Currently, Karna is focusing on the expansion of rooms at both the resorts as well as expansion of the restaurant brands, Mahe and Roboto.

About Saj Hotels Pvt. Ltd.

With a vision of creating landmark recreational holiday destinations and dining hotspots, under the stewardship of Karna Timbadia and Parth Timbadia, Saj Hotels Pvt. Ltd was founded in the year 2000. Since its inception over three decades back, Saj Hotels has endeavored to offer unique, intimate, and rustic holiday destinations, spread across unusual, unfamiliar locations that remain untouched by modern-day life. Each location is chosen and Resorts are designed taking local aesthetics into consideration, while being nature-positive and offering guests peace and tranquility amidst natural surroundings, away from the hustle of daily life. Basis of the Resorts helms from integrating with and promoting local lifestyle and communities. Operating under the brands - Saj on the Mountain, Mahabaleshwar, and Saj by the Lake, Malshej Ghat, Saj in the Forest, Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh.