Local strategy, hands-on management, and keeping things simple in Houston
Nupen Patel is an experienced entrepreneur and hotel owner based in Baytown, Texas. He is the founder and owner of K & K Hotel Group and NP Construction, two companies focused on hospitality and commercial development. Patel has spent more than 25 years in the hotel industry, gaining hands-on experience from a young age through his family’s business.
In 2008, Patel formally launched K & K Hotel Group in Houston, Texas. The company builds, owns, and manages a portfolio of branded hotels, including properties under the IHG and Marriott flags. With a regional focus on the Greater Houston area, K & K operates with a business philosophy built around three core principles: People, Process, and Product. The group is known for maintaining operational consistency, developing skilled teams, and reinvesting profits to ensure long-term growth.
Patel also owns NP Construction, which handles the construction and renovation of hospitality properties. This vertical integration allows for greater quality control and project efficiency across K & K’s portfolio.
He is a graduate of Farmington High School in Michigan. While Patel maintains a low public profile, his businesses continue to expand steadily under his leadership. He remains actively involved in company operations, overseeing everything from hiring practices to building standards.
Patel is widely respected in the regional hotel industry for his disciplined approach, practical decision-making, and long-term commitment to quality. He continues to live and work in Texas, where he leads a growing team and manages a high-performing group of hospitality assets.
Q&A with Nupen Patel: Building Hospitality Success One Property at a Time
How do you define success in the hotel business?
For me, success is stability. If the business runs well, the staff is happy, and the guests keep coming back, that’s success. It’s not about flashy growth or headlines. It’s about consistency.
Why did you choose to focus on the Houston area instead of expanding nationally?
Houston is home. I understand the market here. I know the people, the demand cycles, the challenges. It’s better to do something well in one place than to stretch too thin. There’s still a lot of opportunity right here.
What makes local clientele different?
Locals notice everything. They expect good service and value. You can’t fake it. If your property isn’t clean or your staff isn’t trained, word spreads fast. That’s why we focus so much on detail.
What’s been your most important lesson as a business owner?
Pay attention to the basics. Clean rooms. Good lighting. Fast check-ins. Friendly service. These things aren’t complicated, but if you skip them, nothing else matters.
How do you keep your team motivated?
I stay close. I check in. I listen. People want to feel respected and supported. We promote from within. A lot of our managers started at the front desk or housekeeping.
What role does NP Construction play in your strategy?
It gives us control. If we want to fix something or build new, we don’t have to wait on someone else. We can move faster and make sure it’s done right.
What advice would you give someone starting out in hospitality?
Work every job. Don’t just manage from a desk. If you don’t understand how the day-to-day works, you can’t make good decisions. And always think long-term. Don’t cut corners for short-term gain.
Is there one value you always go back to?
Discipline. Do what needs to be done, even when it’s boring or hard. That’s what keeps the business moving forward.
How do you see the future of K & K Hotel Group?
We’ll keep growing, but only if we can do it the right way. I don’t want to lose what makes us work: local knowledge, good people, and staying involved in every part of the business.
Hospitality isn’t complicated. People want to feel safe, comfortable, and respected. If we deliver that every time, we’re doing our job. That’s what I focus on. Everything else follows.