(FORTUNE Magazine) – Vikram Chatwal is just as at home at the $800 a night Amanjiwo resort in Indonesia as he is at an Applebee's (seriously, he swears by the salads). Nicknamed the "turban cowboy" by the press, Chatwal is also a legendary host: His February wedding was a weeklong, multimillion-dollar bash spanning three Indian cities. Born into the business--father Sant Singh Chatwal founded Hampshire Hotels & Resorts--Chatwal now runs its boutique division, whose properties include New York's Dream and Night hotels. We caught up with the 34-year-old in New York as he prepared to head to Bangkok for the opening of his second Dream hotel.

•DAYS ON THE ROAD 120

•FAVORITE WAY TO FLY Not to sound spoiled, but private jets. But my favorite airline is Singapore Airlines. Great service, and the food is mouthwatering.

•TRAVEL GEAR A big red suitcase from Swiss Army. It's very sturdy, and I can always find it.

•FAVORITE DESTINATION Amanjiwo, a resort near Yogyakarta in Indonesia. It's a perfectly round hotel, with a view of Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist sanctuary.

•CAN'T BEAT THE VIEW The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra. All the rooms have stunning views of the Taj Mahal.

•STAR TREATMENT The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Bombay is a special place. They have a butler service to wake you with the maharajah treatment. They'll gently put a wet towel over your eyes so you drift out of sleep.

•DRESS CODE When I'm formal, Brioni suits, Zegna shirts and ties, and a matching turban.

•BEST ROAD FOOD Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad. I could eat it every day.

•NEXT UP I just started taking helicopter lessons. It's so much fun, I'm definitely going to get my license.