Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is one of the most prestigious luxury hospitality brands in the world. It is synonymous with elegance, luxury, and impeccable service. Established in 1934 by Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, the Oberoi Group has evolved significantly over the decades. Along with its expansion in hospitality, its brand identity, particularly its logo, has undergone a few refinements to reflect the company’s values and vision. The article explores the logo evolution of the premier hotel brand and other details.
The Genesis of the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts (1934 – 2019)
The first Oberoi Hotels and Resorts logo featured stylish, thin, calligraphic-styled text depicting the name of the brand and an ornate emblem above. Rendered in black upon a white background, the logo represented luxury and trust and aligned with the group’s ethos of personalised service.
(2019 – Present)
In 2019, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts refined its logo further to reflect a contemporary yet timeless identity. The logo retained the calligraphic “The Oberoi” script and maintained brand recognition while incorporating a cleaner and more modern aesthetic. The colour scheme featured a classic black and gold combination to symbolise elegance, exclusivity, and grandeur.
The wordmark written in two levels in a combination of black and golden colour palettes was accompanied by the emblem called the “Oberoi Sun”. The sun symbol conveys warmth, positivity, and vitality – qualities that guests often associate with their stays at Oberoi properties. The emblem depicting the sun in a golden hue symbolises both physical warmth and emotional care and attention.
The Significance of the Oberoi Logo
The Oberoi logo is more than just a design; it represents the brand’s core values—unwavering attention to detail, personalised service, and an exceptional guest experience. Its evolution shows the brand’s journey from a pioneer in Indian luxury hospitality to a globally recognised name in the industry.
The Elements of the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts Logo
Font
The typography in the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts logo is elegant and modern, and it reflects the luxury and sophistication of the brand. The font used is a combination of handwritten calligraphy and clean serif, which conveys timelessness and refinement. The font style complements the overall design of the logo by maintaining an understated yet premium aesthetic that resonates with its target audience.
Colour
The colour palette of the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts logo primarily features gold tones. Gold is synonymous with luxury, opulence, and warmth—qualities that are central to the brand’s identity. The golden hues in the “Oberoi Sun” emblem symbolise vitality and positivity and reinforce the emotional connection guests experience during their stays. Additionally, gold conveys a sense of exclusivity and high value, which aligns perfectly with Oberoi’s position as a leader in luxury hospitality.
The History of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is a globally renowned luxury hospitality brand with a rich history that is rooted in the vision and entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi. Mr Mohan Singh Oberoi was born on August 15, 1898, in undivided Punjab (now Pakistan). After losing his father at six months old, he grew up under the care of his grandfather. And after completing his education in Rawalpindi and Lahore, he moved to Shimla in 1922 to escape a plague outbreak. Penniless and searching for opportunities, he secured a job as a front desk clerk at The Cecil Hotel with a monthly salary of ₹50. This marked the beginning of his association with the hospitality industry.
Oberoi’s diligence and eagerness to learn impressed his superiors. He gained hands-on experience managing hotel operations at Clarkes Hotel after being invited by his mentor, Mr Clarke. In 1934, Oberoi took his first step into hotel ownership by acquiring Clarkes Hotel in Shimla. He did so by mortgaging his wife’s jewellery to finance the purchase.
Oberoi’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through when he leased The Grand Hotel in Kolkata in 1938. Despite its reputation being tarnished by a cholera outbreak, he transformed the 500-room property into a thriving business. His ability to turn undervalued properties into profitable ventures became a hallmark of his career.
In 1943, Oberoi acquired a controlling interest in Associated Hotels of India (AHI), and thus became the first Indian to manage the country’s largest hotel chain. AHI owned iconic properties such as Maidens and Imperial hotels in Delhi and Cecil Hotel in Shimla. This acquisition marked the beginning of The Oberoi Group’s dominance in India’s hospitality sector.
In 1966, The Oberoi Group established the Oberoi School of Hotel Management (now The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development). Recognised by the International Hotel Association in Paris, this institute remains one of Asia’s premier institutions for hospitality education.
Mohan Singh Oberoi’s legacy was carried forward by his sons Tilak Raj Singh Oberoi and Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi. Under their leadership, The Oberoi Group expanded further with properties both within India and abroad. Today, it operates 32 luxury hotels and two river cruise ships across seven countries under its flagship brands—Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Trident.
The group continues to innovate while staying true to its core values of exceptional service and luxury. Despite challenges like the November 2008 terrorist attack on Trident Mumbai, which claimed the lives of staff and guests, the Oberoi Group has remained resilient and committed to excellence.
Interesting Facts About Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
- Oberoi Hotels & Resorts was founded in 1934 by Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, who is considered the pioneer of luxury hospitality in India. He started by taking over The Clarke’s Hotel in Shimla and later expanded his empire.
- The Oberoi Group operates 32 luxury hotels and two river cruise ships in India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
- The Oberoi Group was the first to introduce butler service in India.
- It also introduced 24-hour personal butler service in its hotels, which redefined personalised hospitality.
- The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, has been consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveller.
- The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, offers uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal from every room.
- Oberoi Hotels have world-class spa and wellness centres, which are often in collaboration with international luxury spa brands. Their Ayurvedic and holistic wellness treatments attract travellers from all over the world.
- The group has its own prestigious hospitality school, the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD), which trains future hotel industry leaders.
- Oberoi operates The Oberoi Zahra, a luxury Nile cruiser in Egypt. It offers an opulent experience on the river.
- The group has also been associated with India’s luxury train tourism sector by offering services in collaboration with high-end trains.
- Oberoi Hotels & Resorts focus on sustainability, including:
- Using solar energy and water recycling.
- Promoting organic farming for in-house restaurants.
- Reducing plastic use across their properties.
Finally
The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts logo has evolved over the decades to reflect the brand’s enduring commitment to luxury and excellence. From simple text-based branding in the early years to the sophisticated and recognisable script logo today, each iteration has strengthened Oberoi’s identity as a leader in luxury hospitality.