Patanjali Govind Keswani (popularly known as Patu Keswani; born 9 February 1959) is an Indian entrepreneur and hotelier. He is the founder of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., one of India's largest hotel chains, and currently serves as its Executive Chairman.
Keswani was born on 9 February 1959. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in 1981. He subsequently earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta in 1983.
After completing his studies, Keswani joined the Tata Administrative Service (TAS) in 1983. He spent 17 years with the Tata Group, primarily in the hospitality division. His last role was as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Taj Hotels group, where he oversaw operations including second-tier properties.
At age 39, Keswani left the Tata Group, citing a mid-life desire for greater independence. He briefly joined the management consulting firm A.T. Kearney as an Associate Consultant and Director in New Delhi.
In 2002, Keswani founded Lemon Tree Hotels with an initial plan to build a single mid-market hotel as a retirement investment. Recognizing a major gap in India's hospitality market for branded mid-scale and economy options amid rising middle-class demand, he opened the first 49-room property in Gurugram in May 2004.
He developed a fully integrated modelâÂÂacquiring land, designing, building, managing, and branding propertiesâÂÂwhich became distinctive in the Indian hotel industry. The company expanded into upscale (Lemon Tree Premier) and budget (Red Fox) brands and became the third-largest hotel chain in India by rooms.
As of 2026, Lemon Tree operates over 130 hotels across more than 80 destinations with more than 130 in the pipeline.
Effective 1 October 2025, as part of a long-term succession plan, Keswani transitioned from Chairman and Managing Director to Executive Chairman of Lemon Tree Hotels and its subsidiary Fleur Hotels.
He has served on bodies including NSDCâÂÂs Sector Skills Council for Hospitality, Travel and Tourism and Skill Council for Persons with Disability (SCPwD); University Grants Commission; IIT Delhi Board of Governors.
Approximately 18% of Lemon Tree's workforce comes from disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities. The company has received multiple National Awards from the President of India for its inclusion initiatives, including three times for Best Employer of Persons with Disabilities and creating barrier-free environments.