FROM COIR TO COASTAL GRANDEUR: SHAN TP’S VISION REIMAGINES HOSPITALITY IN ALLEPPEY

From expanding a global coir export business to launching a four-star seaside hotel in Alleppey, Shan TP’s journey is one of legacy, ambition and heartfelt homecoming. Classic Regency stands as his tribute to Kerala’s beauty—blending wellness, luxury and culture into a new benchmark for hospitality in Alappuzha.

In the gentle hush of dawn, when the Arabian Sea glimmers in molten gold and fishing boats drift like silhouettes against the horizon, Alleppey awakens slowly. The scent of salt mingles with that of coconut husk drying in the sun. For generations, this coastal town—officially known as Alappuzha—has lived between water and earth, between the stillness of backwaters and the rhythm of trade. It is here, in a landscape often celebrated as the “Venice of the East,” that Shan TP’s story unfolds—one shaped by enterprise, anchored in family, and crowned by a dream fulfilled.

Long before he imagined welcoming guests into a seaside hotel, Shan’s days were defined by coir. In 2002, fresh with ambition and guided by filial duty, he joined his father’s enterprise, Classic Coir, a respected manufacturer of premium coir products. The business was rooted in the soil of Alleppey, drawing from the region’s centuries-old tradition of crafting durable mats, ropes and floor coverings from coconut fibre. It was honest work—laborious, tactile and steeped in legacy.

Shan embraced it wholeheartedly. Under his stewardship, Classic Coir broadened its horizons beyond domestic markets. What began as a local manufacturing unit evolved into an export powerhouse, shipping meticulously crafted doormats and coir-based products to countries across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Each shipment carried with it not just merchandise, but a fragment of Kerala’s artisanal heritage.

The young entrepreneur proved adept at navigating global markets. He modernised operations, strengthened quality standards and built international relationships, ensuring that Classic Coir stood shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best natural-fibre exporters. The growth was steady and impressive. By any conventional measure, it was a story of success.

And yet, amid the hum of machinery and the scent of coconut fibre, another dream quietly persisted.

Growing up in Alleppey meant growing up with beauty as a constant companion. The town’s serene beaches, meandering canals and vibrant cultural rhythms formed the backdrop of Shan’s childhood. He watched houseboats glide across the backwaters, saw tourists marvel at the languid charm of village life, and felt the quiet pride of belonging to a place that drew admiration from across the globe. Over time, a thought took root: what if he could create a space that captured the essence of his hometown—a sanctuary where visitors could experience its warmth the way he had always known it?

Hospitality, to Shan, was not merely a business prospect; it was an emotional calling. He imagined a property that would blend international standards with Kerala’s soul, that would offer travellers not just a bed for the night but a doorway into the region’s spirit. The dream lingered for years, gathering clarity even as he remained devoted to the coir enterprise.

The turning point came with unwavering family support. Shan’s father, who had built Classic Coir from the ground up, recognised the spark in his son’s vision. Rather than discouraging a leap into unfamiliar territory, he offered encouragement and belief. That endorsement became the foundation upon which Shan dared to build.

In 2023, the vision materialised with the grand opening of Classic Regency Hotel near Alleppey Beach. It was more than an inauguration; it was a homecoming of ambition. The venture marked the Classic Group’s formal entry into hospitality, expanding its legacy from natural fibres to refined experiences.

Classic Regency stands just a short walk from the shore, where the Arabian Sea unfurls in restless blue. Its façade is contemporary yet understated, allowing the coastal landscape to remain the true protagonist. With 42 air-conditioned rooms, including 21 that face the sea, the property offers guests the rare privilege of waking to the sound of waves and the sight of sunrises that bathe the horizon in amber light.

Each room is thoughtfully designed. Modern furnishings coexist with subtle nods to Kerala’s cultural heritage—wooden accents, muted earthy palettes and artwork inspired by local motifs. The atmosphere is one of quiet elegance rather than ostentation. Shan’s intent was never to overwhelm, but to envelop guests in comfort that feels both refined and familiar.

Though classified as a four-star property, Classic Regency confidently offers amenities that rival five-star establishments. The top-floor swimming pool has quickly become a defining feature. Suspended above the town, it offers panoramic views of rooftops, palm groves and the vast sea beyond. At dusk, when the sky blushes pink and violet, the pool deck transforms into a contemplative retreat—an urban oasis within a coastal town.

Wellness is central to the Classic Regency philosophy. Morning yoga sessions invite guests to greet the day with mindfulness, often accompanied by the distant murmur of waves. Meditation classes offer respite from hurried lives, while Ayurveda therapies—rooted in centuries-old Kerala traditions—provide holistic rejuvenation. For Shan, incorporating wellness was essential. He believed that travellers to Alleppey sought more than sightseeing; they sought restoration.

Culinary experiences form another cornerstone of the hotel’s identity. The multi-cuisine restaurant and coffee shop, Rasoi, has swiftly earned acclaim among visitors and locals alike. Its menu traverses continents while celebrating regional flavours. Fresh seafood, fragrant curries and global favourites are served with equal finesse. Despite its polished ambience, Rasoi remains accessible, reflecting Shan’s belief that excellence need not be exclusive.

Beyond leisure, Classic Regency is designed to host life’s milestones. A spacious banquet hall accommodates weddings, celebrations and corporate gatherings, while a dedicated boardroom caters to business travellers seeking functionality without sacrificing comfort. In doing so, the hotel positions itself as both a sanctuary and a stage—a place where memories are forged and ambitions discussed.

Alleppey’s magnetism lies in its contrasts. The languid pace of its backwaters coexists with the vibrant pulse of festivals and markets. Tourists arrive in search of houseboat cruises, tranquil beaches and authentic cultural encounters. Accommodation options abound, ranging from homestays to luxury resorts. Yet Shan envisioned something distinct: a property that would harmonise global hospitality standards with the intimacy of local warmth.

Classic Regency embodies that balance. Staff are trained to anticipate needs with professional efficiency, yet their service carries the innate graciousness for which Kerala is renowned. Guests often remark on the feeling of being welcomed rather than accommodated—a subtle but profound distinction.

The Classic Group’s evolution from coir manufacturing to hospitality reflects a broader narrative of adaptability. Founded in 1995 with the establishment of Classic Coir Factory, the Group harnessed Alappuzha’s abundant coconut resources to carve a niche in international markets. That entrepreneurial courage laid the groundwork for diversification. If coir was about weaving fibres into durable forms, hospitality became about weaving experiences into lasting impressions.

For Shan, the transition was less a departure than an extension. Both industries, he insists, revolve around quality, consistency and trust. In coir exports, a flawed shipment could erode hard-earned credibility. In hospitality, a single negative experience can reverberate far beyond one stay. The stakes, though different in form, are equally exacting.

Building Classic Regency was not without challenges. The hospitality sector demands meticulous attention to detail—from architectural planning to staff training, from compliance to customer experience. Navigating these complexities required Shan to step beyond familiar terrain. Yet he approached each hurdle with the same diligence that had propelled Classic Coir onto the global stage.

There is symbolism in the journey. Coir, after all, begins as coarse coconut husk before being transformed into resilient fibre. Likewise, Shan’s path evolved from raw ambition into refined accomplishment. The materials changed, but the ethos remained steadfast.

Today, as guests lounge by the rooftop pool or savour seafood at Rasoi, they may not immediately perceive the years of groundwork that underpin their experience. They see instead a seamless blend of comfort and culture. But beneath that seamlessness lies a narrative of patience, perseverance and familial faith.

Shan’s mission now is to elevate Classic Regency into a premier brand recognised well beyond Kerala. He envisions partnerships with international travel platforms, curated cultural experiences for guests and continued enhancements to service standards. The aspiration is not merely occupancy rates, but distinction—a reputation synonymous with excellence.

In many ways, Classic Regency mirrors Alappuzha’s own evolution. Once known primarily for coir and backwaters, the town has steadily diversified its appeal, embracing modernity without relinquishing tradition. The hotel stands as a microcosm of that transformation—rooted in heritage yet oriented toward the future.

Even as he charts ambitious growth plans, Shan remains grounded. He often reflects on the early days in the coir factory, where shipments were packed manually and negotiations conducted over long-distance calls. Those experiences instilled humility and resilience. They also reinforced a fundamental truth: success is rarely solitary.

Family remains at the heart of his narrative. Without his father’s encouragement, the leap into hospitality might have remained a distant dream. That intergenerational trust—one man building a manufacturing legacy, the next expanding it into experiential luxury—imbues Classic Regency with meaning that transcends profit margins.

Visitors who choose Classic Regency are, knowingly or not, stepping into that legacy. They are participating in a story that began with coconut husk and matured into coastal grandeur. They are experiencing Alleppey not as transient tourists but as welcomed guests in a vision realised.

As twilight settles over the Arabian Sea and the town’s lights shimmer against darkening waters, Classic Regency glows softly along the shoreline. It is neither ostentatious nor austere. It is, rather, a reflection of its founder’s philosophy: that true luxury lies in authenticity, in attentive service, in spaces that resonate with their surroundings.

Shan TP’s journey from coir exporter to hotelier is a testament to the power of dreams pursued with discipline. It affirms that success in one field need not confine ambition in another. It celebrates the courage to honour heritage while daring to redefine it.

Above all, it underscores a simple yet profound belief—that places shape people, and people, in turn, shape places. In giving Alleppey a new landmark in hospitality, Shan has given tangible form to his affection for his hometown. And in doing so, he has woven another strand into the rich tapestry of Alappuzha’s enduring allure.