Absolute Hotel Services Appoints Industry Veteran Dinesh Dahiya as Deputy Vice President - Commercial

Mumbai, 2025 – Absolute Hotel Services (AHS) India is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dinesh Dahiya as its new Deputy Vice President - Commercial. With over 25 years of exemplary experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Dahiya brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and strategic foresight to the organization.

This key appointment reinforces AHS India’s commitment to enhancing its leadership team and accelerating commercial success across its rapidly growing portfolio in one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets.

A Proven Leader with Award-Winning Excellence

Throughout his career, Mr. Dahiya has held leadership roles with some of the world’s most prominent hotel brands, including Starwood Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Accor, Fern Hotels, and Sayaji Hotels. His deep expertise in business development, revenue management, and sales strategy has consistently delivered outstanding results and driven brand growth.

Mr. Dahiya’s accomplishments have been widely recognized in the industry, His ability to achieve and exceed ambitious targets has earned him multiple prestigious awards, including:Most Fabulous Leaders Award at the Global MICE & Luxury Travel Congress & Awards (2020) Hospitality Superstars Award (2019)Enterprising Director of Sales & Marketing Award at the Hospitality & Travel Awards (2019)

These accolades are a testament to his ability to deliver beyond expectations, making him an valuable addition to Absolute Hotel Services India. His achievements reinforce AHS’s vision of setting new benchmarks in operational excellence and commercial growth.

Strategic Expertise That Drives Results

Mr. Dahiya brings extensive experience in hotel acquisitions, feasibility assessments, management contracts, and revenue optimization. His forward-thinking leadership has consistently enabled sustainable growth and operational efficiency—an ideal fit for AHS India’s mission to provide tailored hospitality solutions that fuel exponential expansion.

Commenting on the Appointment, Shalil Suvarna, Senior Vice President – Operations, Absolute Hotel Services India & South Asia, stated:

Santosh Sakpal Returns to Fort JadhavGADH as Executive Chef

Bringing a Legacy of Culinary Excellence!

Pune: A new chapter in culinary excellence unfolds at Fort JadhavGADH, Maharashtra’s only heritage fort hotel and a distinguished unit of Kamat Hotels India, with the appointment of Santosh Sakpal as Executive Chef. Bringing over 25 years of experience from some of India’s most prestigious hospitality establishments, such as Lemon Tree Premier, The Pride Hotel, The Corinthians Resort & Club, and Hotel Sun-N-Sand. With his expertise in menu innovation, cost control, and guest engagement, Chef Sakpal returns to Fort Jadhavgadh with a renewed vision — to seamlessly blend the rich culinary heritage of Maharashtra with innovative global flavors.

Hailing from a background deeply rooted in traditional Indian cuisine, Chef Santosh Sakpal’s culinary journey is nothing short of a flavorful adventure. From his early days as a Sous Chef at Fort JadhavGADH to leading kitchens across some of India’s finest hotels, his expertise shines in crafting authentic Maharashtrian delicacies—think Suralichi Vadi, Ukdiche Modak, Saoji Mutton, Tambda-Pandhra Rassa, and Bharli Vangi. His love for regional flavors is now blending seamlessly with farm-to-table dining, using fresh produce grown within the fort premises to offer guests an experience that’s as authentic as it is sustainable.

Returning to a place that holds sentimental value, Chef Sakpal is on a mission to create dining experiences that go beyond just great food. “Food is an emotion, a storyteller of tradition and culture. My aim at Fort JadhavGADH is to create an immersive experience where guests don’t just taste authentic flavors but truly connect with the stories behind them. Whether it’s a humble Varan Bhaat or an elegant candlelight dinner, every meal should leave a lasting impression,” he shares.

Guests can look forward to interactive dining concepts like live cooking stations, themed buffets, and exclusive candlelight dinners in breathtaking locations such as The Canopy and the poolside arena. At the fort’s beloved signature restaurant, Payatha, food lovers will be treated to a mix of traditional Maharashtrian flavors, global cuisine infusions, and indulgent sweet treats like Puran Poli and innovative Pani Puri variations.

With his passion for hospitality and keen eye for detail, Chef Santosh Sakpal’s return marks an exciting new chapter in Fort JadhavGADH’s culinary story. Guests can expect a journey of flavors, nostalgia, and creativity—all served with the warmth of true Maharashtrian hospitality.

Ibis Styles Mysuru Announces The Appointment Of Uttaran Acharya As Front Office Manager

Mysuru, April 2025: ibis Styles Mysuru is pleased to announce the appointment of Uttaran Acharya as the Front Office Manager. With a career spanning over a decade in the hospitality industry, Uttaran brings with him a wealth of experience in front office operations, guest relations, and team leadership.

Prior to joining ibis Styles Mysuru, he served as Assistant Front Office Manager (Operational Head) at The Leela Bhartiya City, Bengaluru, where he was responsible for streamlining front office operations, enhancing guest satisfaction, and leading strategic initiatives that improved overall service quality. Uttaran has also held key positions at reputed hospitality brands including Radisson Bengaluru City Center, Royal Orchid Central, The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata, and Le Meridien Kochi.

In his new role at ibis Styles Mysuru, Uttaran will lead the front office team with a focus on guest experience, service excellence, and operational efficiency. His deep understanding of customer service, team development, and process optimization is expected to further strengthen the hotel’s commitment to providing exceptional hospitality.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Ganesh Ram Iyer, Hotel Manager, ibis Styles Mysuru, said, "We are delighted to welcome Uttaran to the ibis Styles Mysuru family. His proven track record in managing dynamic teams and delivering memorable guest experiences aligns perfectly with our brand’s vision. We are confident that his leadership will further elevate our service standards and contribute to our continued growth."

Uttaran holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from Punjab Technical University and is fluent in English, Hindi, and Bengali. His appointment reflects ibis Styles Mysuru’s vision of nurturing dynamic talent and delivering memorable experiences through leadership excellence.

Lords Hotels & Resorts Appoints New Corporate General Manager

Lords Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Sahil Bhargava as the new Corporate General Manager. 

Bhargava is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He has held leadership roles with renowned hotel chains. He has expertise in Sales, Operations, and Pre-openings, business development and operational excellence. With a strong background in managing diverse portfolios and delivering exceptional guest experiences, he brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to the group. In his current role will be overseeing the pre-opening projects, growth and expansion plans in the western and central India.

Speaking on the appointment, Sudhir Jena, Corporate Vice President commented, “We are delighted to welcome Bhargava to the Lords family. His proven track record and deep understanding of the hospitality landscape will further strengthen our brand and help us scale new heights.”

Bhargava expressed enthusiasm about joining Lords Hotels & Resorts, stating, “It is an honour to be part of such a reputable and rapidly growing hospitality group. I look forward to contributing to its legacy of excellence and innovation.”

Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park Appoint Pavan Kumar as Commercial Director

Bengaluru, April 2025—– Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park are delighted to announce the appointment of Pavan Kumar as Commercial Director. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Pavan brings a robust background in commercial strategy, sales leadership, and convention centre sales—a perfect fit for the city’s largest dual-branded hotel complex, with 619 room keys and an expansive MICE centre of 60,000sq. ft.

Pavan’s most recent role was the Vice President – Sales & Marketing at Royal Orchid and Regenta Hotels, where he led national-level sales initiatives and supported the group’s market expansion. Prior to this, Pavan was the Director of Sales & Marketing at Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity. He oversaw commercial strategies at one of the country’s high-volume business and MICE hotels where he managed large-format event planning, corporate client relationships, and business development initiatives.

Pavan brings valuable expertise in convention centre sales and strategic revenue management, which will play a key role in elevating Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Manyata’s presence in South Asia’s growing hospitality landscape. With a proven track record in enhancing visibility, positioning, and revenue for large-scale event venues, he is well-equipped to advance the complex’s growth strategy in the region.

Speaking on his appointment, Pavan Kumar said, "I'm excited to join the vibrant team at Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata. As one of South India’s largest Hilton complexes, we are uniquely positioned to be a preferred destination for large-scale events in the country. With 22 versatile meeting spaces and dedicated breakout rooms, the complex offers a competitive advantage for planners seeking scale and convenience. Adding on to this, I look forward to leveraging my experience in convention sales and commercial strategy to strengthen our positioning and drive growth in this dynamic market."

Manish Garg, General Manager of Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, added, “With our ambition to lead the MICE and business travel segment in North Bengaluru and beyond, we needed a strong commercial leader who understands the nuances of large-format events, convention sales, and corporate visibility. Pavan’s extensive experience, particularly his time at HICC and Pullman Aerocity, aligns perfectly with our goals. We are confident that under his leadership, the complex will continue to scale new heights and define excellence in hospitality.”