Home away from home: Steve Gupta spared no expense in constructing the TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel in Sudbury.

• Author: Larmour, Adelle
• Position: BUSINESS TRAVEL

Having the belief in a vision and the drive to execute it has resulted in another first for hotel mogul Steve Gupta. As president and CEO of the Easton's Group of Companies, Gupta visited Sudbury this winter to ensure the finishing touches were successfully placed on the city's new TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel, the first of its kind in Canada.

The 60-person staff celebrated the hotel's opening just days prior to the Christmas holidays, fulfilling a friendly wager Gupta had made with Sudbury's chief building official Guido Mazza.

The $14-million project began on March 9, 2010 and was completed in record time, just shy of 10 months.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"I had a bet with (Mazza) that if you give me a permit to build the hotel, I'll have it built before Christmas," Gupta said with winning smile. For him, the challenge only encouraged him further to pursue its completion. "If people say I can't do it, I will show them."

Originally, the 1.6-acre lot was designated for a different building. However, when Gupta came on the scene, he was able to modify the existing site plan control agreement and provide the city with the desired TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel.

"He had pulled enough rabbits out of his hat during the three months we were involved in that project, I knew better than to bet against him, but it was interesting anyway," Mazza said.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Gupta, a self-made millionaire, describes himself as the ultimate optimist who realizes his goals through hard work. He owns 11 hotels in Ontario, six of which carry the Marriott brand. He creates success by following his own vision.

"I always like to find my own way and do things very differently," he said. "I take pride in achieving something different; achieving something that no one else has."

Known for taking the well-known Marriott brand up a few notches and creating a new standard, Gupta's Marriott hotels have been called the "Ritz-Carleton" of the brand.

He has received many awards recognizing his hotels as the "best of the best." He takes pride in his work and creating jobs, of which his 1,400-person workforce is testimony

"To be a good worker, you have to be given good tools," he said, emphasizing the importance of hospitality. He trains his staff to treat customers like guests they would invite into their own homes, which has helped develop repeat clientele.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

As with all of his Marriotts, Gupta spared no expense with Sudbury's...