From humble beginnings to national leadership in hospitality, Sudima Hotels is celebrating 25 years of redefining what it means to run a hotel in New Zealand.
The brand has built a legacy where innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability are valued just as highly as guest comfort. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, Sudima Hotels now operates seven iconic properties across the country, offering a total of 1,358 rooms.
Complementing this success is Hind Management, the company Mr Jhunjhnuwala established to develop, operate, and manage high-performing hotel and hospitality businesses.
From its origins with a single hotel, Sudima Hotels has grown into one of New Zealand’s most respected hospitality groups. It now boasts seven hotels throughout the country in prime Auckland, Rotorua, Kaikōura, Christchurch and Queenstown locations and over the years, Sudima Hotels and Hind Management have further diversified their offerings to include premium wellness experiences such as Moss Spa in Christchurch and Queenstown, and award-winning dining venues like East, Sunset, and Hiku. The Group’s capabilities also include managing properties under international brands, including Novotel Christchurch Airport.
Regional Destinations
Sudima Hotels has become a leading presence in the national hotel sector, picking up multiple awards in the New Zealand tourism, hotels and hospitality industries, among many others. In 2024 alone they were named Employer of Choice at the Human Resources Director Awards and won ‘Building Sustainability Through People’ at the NZ Human Resources Awards.
To mark the occasion, Sudima Hotels is offering 100 rooms for just $25 between 26 August and 1 September and 25% off all other rooms, a gesture that reflects its ethos of fun and generosity.
New Zealand’s tourism industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, with both domestic and international travel contributing to sustained growth across the country. Sudima Hotels has played a pivotal role in this journey, expanding its footprint into key regional destinations including Rotorua, Kaikōura, and Queenstown – places that have become cornerstones of the national tourism offering.
Retaining Staff
By investing in infrastructure, creating jobs, and supporting local suppliers, Sudima Hotels has helped stimulate regional economies while offering high-quality, sustainable hospitality experiences. The group’s resilience through global challenges, including the pandemic and intensifying climate pressures, has further cemented its reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the sector which adapts its operations to meet changing demands while continuing to welcome guests.
The group is also known for the long tenure of many staff. John Baine began his journey as a porter in 1984 and now leads Food & Beverage at Sudima Lake Rotorua, which was the Travel Lodge and Lake Plaza before Sudima Hotels took over the property 25 years ago. Mr Baine says, “When Sudima Hotels came along, the difference was huge. The amount of investment they began to make into the hotel and into the people as well were astounding at the time.”
He can personally attest to the special nature of the Group’s culture and the company’s approach to nurturing hospitality talent and moving people up to new opportunities as they gain experience and qualifications. “Our values – we care, we work together, we do the right thing. Bringing people through the ranks into the upper management levels, they bring that with them, so it’s part of the culture already.
“I’ve been given support and recognition – it really is very humbling. I had an idea for coffee training, that I put forward, and Les Morgan (Chief Operating Officer (COO)) asked me, ‘Would you like to do this group wide?’ I was just blown away to receive such an offer. Being the company that they are, they’re always on the lookout. If you’ve got an idea and you think it’s a good one, people will listen to you.”
Covid Facilities
Ropati Fiaola joined Sudima Hotels around the time of its founding, in 2000, and serves as Duty Manager at Sudima Lake Rotorua. Like every industry, accommodation goes through ups and downs, and Mr Fiaola remembers taking the opportunity to make a difference when Sudima Lake Rotorua temporarily served as an MIQ facility.
“I can honestly declare that the Covid period, for our hotel, was one of the proudest of my time at this company – the endless hours worked ensuring all our guests were treated with kindness and patience so their stay was as comfortable as we could possibly provide. Most satisfying were the thank yous and the smiles from guests, especially the children, as they were leaving – not just because they were finally going home, but because of how we had looked after them.”
Mr Fiaola has observed plenty of evolution over the years, and a broadening embrace of equity and diversity. “Over the years the Sudima Hotels culture has evolved dramatically, introducing more Māori language and customs, and those of other cultures of Sudima Hotels staff, into our everyday language and work day.
“You can’t remain in one company for this duration without having support both professionally and personally, and I can’t thank the Sudima Hotels family enough for having my back throughout my years here. I have lost count of all the amazing courses and conferences I have been able to attend to better myself not just in the hospitality industry but as a person – I truly feel I am a better human being.”
Philanthropy
Les Morgan, COO of Sudima Hotels and Hind Management, says, “Philanthropy and community support are in our DNA. As our founder Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala says, ‘We should leave the world in a better place than we found it.’ We keep this in mind all the time as we consider innovations and practical and operational improvements that will benefit our staff, guests, and the communities in which we operate.
“We do not believe that business success and diversity, inclusiveness, and accessibility, which we prioritise in a variety of ways, are mutually exclusive. In fact, our approach to people and community, and creating welcoming spaces while innovating and being inventive about what is possible in hotels and hospitality, all underpin our 25 years of success and growth.”
For his services to the hotel industry and philanthropy, Mr Jhunjhnuwala, who also serves as CEO of Sudima Hotels and Hind Management, was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List. He was a member of the delegation which accompanied the Prime Minister to India earlier this year.
Mr Jhunjhnuwala says of the company’s milestone, “It is an achievement for any business to be operating and serving people for 25 years, and I think we have done it by always emphasising integrity, innovation, and investment in people and the environment. Every founder has their own idea of how they want to do things, and our way is not the only way – but our approach is holistic and consistent with our values, and part of how we invest in our people, guests, communities and environment.
“We are pleased to work with collaborative partners who share our values, and to continue to lead by example. In our next 25 years we look forward to welcoming many more visitors through our doors and greeting them with the warm hospitality that is our trademark, and to finding more and more ways to make a difference, including in climate responsibility.”
Sustainability Awareness
Sudima Hotels climate and sustainability work includes mahi in Kaikōura – raising awareness of the endangered Hutton’s Shearwater / Kaikōura Tītī and providing free conference space for the Kaikōura Wildlife Centre. Sudima Auckland Airport, Sudima Auckland City, and Sudima Christchurch Airport have beehives, each producing honey that is served in their restaurants. Rainwater is harvested and stored at Sudima Auckland Airport in a 25,000-litre tank and used to flush hotel toilets and water gardens. Sudima Christchurch Airport also uses rainwater tanks for watering the hotel grounds.
All food waste from South Island hotels is composted, and all food waste from North Island hotels is anaerobically digested at the Ecogas Reporoa plant. The group funds the planting of 12,000 native trees a year and was the first Toitū Carbon Zero certified hotel in New Zealand, and is now a Toitū Carbon Reduce certified across the group.
It also maintains a range of philanthropic, social change, and community support initiatives, including the Jhunjhnuwala Family / Hind Management Māori and Pacific Youth Scholarship, which offers paid internships to aspiring Māori and Pacific hospitality leaders, providing mentorship and hands-on experience in a supportive environment; the Counties Manukau Heat scholarships along with sponsorship and governance support; and the Ngāti Whakaue Education Endowment Scholarship.
Community Presence
Other community partners include Tāmaki Makaurau wellbeing organisation Aktive and the NZDF Invictus Games team, for which Sudima Hotels funded the design of a wheelchair for disabled rugby players. New disability partners include IHC Choices and Recreate, which provides programmes designed to meet the needs of participants who have mild to moderate intellectual, physical, and/or sensory disabilities, and the Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme, which enables accessible hospitality.
Hind Management is a founding member of Accessibility Tick and has collaborated with this partner since 2018 to continuously improve accessibility for guests and employees with disabilities. Accreditation is rigorous, with quarterly audits by NZ Disability Employers Network.
Also under the group’s umbrella are East and Sunset, the restaurant and rooftop bar at Sudima Auckland City, Hiku, the bar and restaurant at Sudima Kaikōura, and Moss Spa at the Christchurch City and Queenstown hotels.