For more than 80 years, the Catskills landmark has welcomed generations of families for vacations, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, conferences, and holiday celebrations. Parents who first visited as children have returned with their own children and grandchildren, creating traditions that have endured for decades.
That history is what drew Sandeep Wadhwa, chairman of FAY Investment Group, when the company acquired the historic resort.
“The Villa Roma Resort is far more than a hotel,” Wadhwa said. “It is a place where generations of families have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions, and holidays.”
He said the emotional connection families have with Villa Roma is something few historic destinations can match.
A legacy worth preserving
Established in 1944, Villa Roma has long been one of Sullivan County’s best-known resorts and an important part of the Catskills’ tourism history.
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Wadhwa said what attracted him was not simply the property itself, but the generations of memories it represents.
“The opportunity was never about acquiring a property,” he said. “It was about becoming the steward of a legacy.”
Rather than changing the resort’s identity, he said the goal is to preserve the warmth, familiarity, and character that longtime guests remember while ensuring it continues serving future generations.
“Buildings can always be renovated,” Wadhwa said. “But traditions, trust, and family memories are earned over decades.”
He said improvements to the property are intended to support that long-term vision while respecting the qualities that have made Villa Roma a destination for generations of visitors.
Growing together with the community
Villa Roma has long played an important role in Sullivan County, supporting local employment and attracting visitors from across the region and beyond.
Wadhwa believes the resort’s future is closely connected to the success of the surrounding community.
“Hospitality succeeds when the surrounding community succeeds,” he said. “A resort should never operate in isolation.”
He said the resort hopes to continue working with local farms, artists, restaurants, outdoor recreation providers, musicians, and tourism partners so visitors experience not only Villa Roma, but the Catskills as a whole.
“We want visitors to experience far more than the property itself,” Wadhwa said. “That means working closely with local producers, artists, chefs, outdoor guides, and tourism partners so that every stay creates value across the region.”
Looking ahead to the next generation
As America celebrated its 250th anniversary this year, Villa Roma marked the occasion with family activities, entertainment, and commemorative events that brought returning guests together while welcoming first-time visitors.
For Wadhwa, the milestone represented more than a national celebration.
“It reinforced The Villa Roma Resort’s place within American hospitality while demonstrating that heritage and innovation can evolve together,” he said.
Looking ahead, he hopes Villa Roma will continue serving as a place where families gather across generations, just as they have for more than eight decades.
Ultimately, he believes the resort’s success will not be measured by new buildings or amenities, but by the memories families continue to create together.
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