Vardaraj Shetty: The Visionary Force Behind Ramee Group’s Global Success

Vardaraj Shetty, popularly known as Raj Shetty, is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Managing Worker of the Ramee Group of Companies, a prominent hospitality group operating across the Middle East and India. With a business acumen sharpened by decades of experience, Shetty has grown the Ramee Group from a single investment into a multinational enterprise comprising over 50 hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and F&B outlets. His leadership continues to shape the group’s presence in key markets including the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and India.

Born on October 13, 1960, in Koteshwara, a small town near Kundapur in Karnataka, India, Shetty was raised in Mumbai where his family was engaged in the restaurant business. After the untimely passing of his father in 1973, he began working at a young age while continuing his education. At 18, driven by ambition and the desire to succeed in the hospitality industry, he moved to Saudi Arabia to seek new opportunities. His breakthrough came at the age of 25 when he leased a hotel property in Dubai—marking the inception of what would eventually become the Ramee Group.

In 1997, Shetty formally established the Ramee Group of Hotels, Resorts and Apartments. The group’s initial success in Dubai and the broader UAE led to further expansion into Bahrain, Oman, and major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Indore, and Chennai. Flagship properties include the Regent Palace Hotel in Dubai and the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa in Bahrain, a landmark five-star hotel and one of the tallest luxury properties in the country. The group also owns several popular lounges and restaurants including R-Adda and Bombay Adda in Mumbai and Bangalore, as well as themed dining concepts such as Rock Bottom Café, RUKA Lounge, Mirchi, Rocky’s Café, and Far East Seafood Market.

Beyond hospitality, the Ramee Group is actively involved in real estate development, hotel management contracts, and travel services. Its mid-range Ramee Rose Hotels concept is currently being rolled out in cities including Abu Dhabi, Chennai, and Mumbai. Employing over 5,000 staff from 15 countries, the group is known for prioritizing guest comfort and personalized service under the guiding philosophy: "Hospitality is not a job, it's a passion."

Raj Shetty is also deeply committed to social responsibility. As the Founder Trustee of the Ramee Foundation & Charitable Trust, he has contributed significantly to education and healthcare initiatives. Notably, he built a college in his hometown of Koteshwara, which was later handed over to the government and renamed “Kalavara M. Varadaraja Shetty First Grade College,” currently serving around 2,000 students. Through the foundation, he has supported numerous underprivileged students in completing their education.

In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Shetty has received multiple accolades. He has been featured in Forbes Middle East's list of Top 100 Indian Leaders in the UAE and among the Top Indian Leaders in the Arab World. Other honors include the South India Travel Awards, West India Travel Awards, the NRI of the Year Award, and inclusion in the Hotelier Middle East Power 50 list.

With a net worth estimated at over USD 1 billion, Raj Shetty remains an influential figure in the global hospitality landscape. Under his guidance, the Ramee Group continues to expand, with several new hotels and F&B ventures planned across India and the Gulf region in the coming years.