Advice to Travelers and Hoteliers from Apple Core’s Vijay Dandapani

Vijay Dandapani is President and COO of Apple Core Hotels. He has been in the hospitality business for most of his life, having graduated from the prestigious master’s program in hotel management at Cornell University. His career included four years in India managing a luxury hotel chain, as well as an association with a group that opened a California luxury resort. He is a licensed pilot, speaks fluent Italian and two Indian languages. Dandapani is a very accomplished man who offers advice to travelers and hotel managers.

   

Image Source: businessinsider.com 

His first piece of advice is that travelers should wear slip on shoes so that proceeding through security is minimally disruptive. Second, he recommends that you always bring a carry-on that contains a set of clothes, essential medicines and chargers for cell phones and tablets, all in case your luggage is delayed or lost. Finally, Vijay Dandapani says that you should stay aware of weather conditions and political issues such as strikes that could affect your travel. He also admonishes that you should not necessarily trust an airline’s communication about connecting times at airports abroad. 

 

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Hotel managers might follow his lead as he oversees the redesign of lobbies in three of his hotels. Vijay Dandapani is striving for providing an avant-garde feeling to these lobbies, including offering amenities that are interesting and useful. For example, his team is installing stations for mini-pads and free, 24-hour stations with cappuccino. Also, he is making sure that the lobbies contain areas for lounging and relaxation that do not infringe on guests who are checking in or out.

   

Image Source: traveldailynews.com 

Even in the branded hotels run by Apple Core, he strives to offer extra amenities. TempurPedic beds, free Wi-Fi, and free continental breakfast are some of the offerings his team provides. Dandapani knows what is important to travelers, both as one himself and as a career hospitality executive.