In 1981, a young commerce student from Vadodara embarked on an extraordinary adventure that would foreshadow a lifetime of bold moves. Vijay Patel, then studying at Maharaja Sayajirao University on a Rotary Club scholarship, spent 11 months traversing Africa on his Yezdi motorcycle. This journey of risk and discovery planted seeds that would later blossom into a remarkable career in hospitality across the United States.
From Political Upheaval to Global Ambitions
Patel's early life was marked by displacement and resilience. Born in Uganda to a Gujarati family, he spent his first 15 years there before political turmoil in the 1970s forced his family to flee. As a British citizen by birth, he relocated to India, completed his education in Gujarat, and later moved to England where he met his wife, Mita. The couple's search for opportunity brought them to the United States in 1993, arriving with limited resources but unlimited ambition.
Unexpected Entry into Hospitality
The Patels' entry into the hospitality industry came unexpectedly when a family member offered them the chance to manage a small motel in Klamath Falls, Oregon. What began as a one-year assignment stretched into three years of hands-on learning. In 1997, they took their first ownership step, purchasing a modest roadside motel in Pendleton, Oregon, and formally launching A-1 Hospitality Group.
Reviving Historic Landmarks
Among Patel's most celebrated achievements is the restoration of the Columbia Gorge Hotel, a Mission-style landmark overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Built in 1921, this historic property has hosted numerous dignitaries including US Presidents Franklin D Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and William H Taft, along with Hollywood icons like Shirley Temple, Clara Bow, Rudolph Valentino, Burt Reynolds, and Tom Cruise.
In 2009, Patel acquired the seven-acre property for $4.6 million at a foreclosure auction with no other bidders. The hotel had been closed for nearly a year and faced significant structural challenges. Patel oversaw a meticulous restoration that preserved original elements including stonework, wood panelling, railings, and fireplaces while integrating modern safety systems in compliance with National Register of Historic Places guidelines.
A Benchmark in Heritage Restoration
This restoration project has become widely cited as a benchmark in heritage preservation, significantly contributing to tourism and employment in Hood River. The successful revival demonstrates Patel's belief that "history is bankable" — a philosophy shaped by his own journey across continents, through crises, and between careers.
Expanding Hospitality Footprint
Today, Patel leads A-1 Hospitality Group, which manages 10 hotel properties across Oregon and Washington. The company currently has three new projects under construction, signaling continued expansion:
- A Home2 by Hilton property scheduled to open by the end of April this year
- A C Hotel by Marriott connected to an existing convention center, featuring an expanded rooftop restaurant to enhance its appeal as a business and events destination
- Another Marriott International property expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year
Currently in Gujarat, Patel is working on an exclusive project, bringing his expertise full circle to the region where his educational journey began. His story represents a remarkable arc from Vadodara student to global entrepreneur, proving that the spirit of adventure and reinvention can transform both individual lives and historic properties.
