The story of Clarkes Hotel dates back to the 1920s, when Mr. Ernest Clarke arrived as Manager of the then Cecil Hotel. Both Mr. Clarke and his wife Gertrude had a keen eye for talent and took a great liking to the honesty and hard work of young Mohan Singh Oberoi, the front desk clerk at that time. On returning to holiday in England, Mr. Clarke and his wife handed over the management of the hotel to Mr. Oberoi. During their absence, he made such a success of the hotel that they decided to sell it to him upon their permanent return to England. After five years’ continuous hard work, Mr. Oberoi became the sole and absolute owner of the hotel, and subsequently changed the name to Clarkes, in tribute to Mr. Ernest Clarke.