Appointment | DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore Appoints Rajeev Rawat as New Front Office Manager

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore Appoints Rajeev Rawat as New Front  Office Manager 

Rajeev Rawat brings more than 11 years of industry experience to the position 

Bengaluru, Karnataka – March, 2022 – Rajeev Rawat has been named as the new Front  Office Manager at the 172-room DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore, which has been open  since January, 2014. Rawat will lead front office endeavors while supporting the hotel’s mission  to provide outstanding service to guests. Located at Iblur Gate, Marathahalli-Bellandur-Sarjapur  Outer Ring Road, Sarjapur Main Road Bengaluru. 

Rajeev’s passion for the DoubleTree by Hilton brand and extensive front office operations  knowledge makes him the perfect fit to lead Front Office Department at DoubleTree Suites by  Hilton Bangalore in achieving its business goals and providing outstanding service to guests,"  said Subhabrata Roy, general manager. 

“I am honored to join the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore team,” said Rawat. “My  position here in Bengaluru allows me to ensure our hotel is the top choice for guests traveling to the area, for business and leisure alike.” 

Prior to joining DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore, Rawat was Front Office Manager of  Courtyard Marriott, Agra. He started his journey with JW Marriott, Pune as a Front Desk  Executive and has worked previously with reputed brands such as JW Marriott - Mussoorie, JW  Marriott Jaipur and Courtyard Marriott, Ahmedabad. 

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest  loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly  through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment  slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a  stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi.  Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading  Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and  access their room using Digital Key. 

Appointment | Doubletree by Hilton Jaipur Amer appoints Nibedita Thapa as cluster learning and development manager

Thapa is an expert in harnessing employee engagement and setting the foundation for great people.

Doubletree by Hilton Jaipur has announced the appointment of Nibedita Thapa as its cluster learning and development manager.

Possessing nearly 11 years of experience, Thapa is an expert in harnessing employee engagement and setting the foundation for great people and work culture at Doubletree by Hilton. Here, she will be handling Hilton Jaipur and Doubletree by Hilton Jaipur Amer.

Encompassing the values, visions, ideals, norms, and working language, she has a knack of bringing together professionals from various diverse cultures to collaborate in harmony in order to achieve the ultimate purpose and vision of the company. Having previously worked at a range of well-known hotels, such as Radisson Hotels, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Thapa believes that the Learning and Development department truly develops and manages a company’s culture.

Appointment | Vinodh Ramamurthy is General Manager of Hilton Jaipur

His last assignment was as General Manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, a position he was managing since 2018

Vinodh Ramamurthy has been appointed as General Manager of Hilton Jaipur. He has over 22 years of experience in hospitality.

In his last assignment, he was General Manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, which he managed since 2018. Under his leadership, the hotel saw heightened growth in revenue as well as team and guest satisfaction scores.

Ramamurthy has had a stellar career at Hilton spanning over 10 years from when he joined in 2012. He is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys taking long trips on his bike.

Appointment | Fairmont Dubai announces the appointment of Nawaf Abdelaziz Nayef Hassan as Director of Operations a

Fairmont Dubai announces the appointment of Nawaf Abdelaziz Nayef Hassan as the Director of Operations

DUBAI, February 2022 - Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the global luxury hotel group,

is pleased to announce the key appointment of its Director of Operations, Nawaf Abdelaziz

Nayef Hassan, effective as of February 2022. Nawaf will play a key role in overlooking the

operations of the iconic hotel across all functions and ensuring the highest levels of guest

satisfaction.

Nawaf comes with a rich experience of over 20 years of progressive experience in the

hospitality industry, having previously worked with leading hotels brands. Nawaf has a proven

track record in the industry. Committed to bringing out the best in his team, he attributes

mentoring as evidently the key to achieving the goals. Nawaf started his career in his home

country in Kempinski Dead Sea Jordan as Restaurant Supervisor. Two years later, he then

moved to Abu Dhabi and joined Desert Islands Resort and Spa by Anantara as the Assistant

Outlet Manager in 2009.

He then joined the pre-opening team of another hotel Qasr al Sarab

Desert Resort by Anantara as the Outlet Manager. Prior to taking his current role as Director of

Operations of Fairmont Dubai, Nawaf joined Radisson Blu Hotel, Downtown Dubai, as the

Outlet Manager, then later moved his way up to Food and Beverage Manager in 2011 in

Radisson Blue Resort, Sharjah, then transitioned to the role of Director of Operations/Acting

hotel manager.

At Fairmont Dubai, he will be responsible for leading the team to ensure full compliance

to Hotel operating controls, SOP’s, policies, procedures and service standards. Nawaf will focus

on demonstrating to guests and colleagues a commitment to service excellence through the

effective implementation and delivery of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Core Standards at all times.

Commenting on his appointment, Nawaf stated, “I am thrilled to become part of the

Fairmont Hotels family and to be able to contribute to the development and the growth of such

a prestigious brand”. I look forward to working with the entire team on further elevating the

bespoke service and innovative guest experience.”

“An eclectic and accomplished man like Nawaf will allow us to design an even more

solid corporate structure and accelerate the expansion of the hotel, which is already underway.

I am delighted that he has chosen to work with us,” comments Kosta Kourotsidis, General

Manager, of Fairmont Dubai.

Appointment | Sita Lekshmi is the new General Manager at Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park

Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park appoints Sita Lekshmi as General Manager

She will be responsible to create new business opportunities, develop talent, development plans, and guidelines to maintain market leadership

Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park has appointed Sita Lekshmi as the new General Manager. An enthusiastic hotelier with an urge to create innovative and bespoke experiences, she comes with over 15 years of experience.

An effective leader, in her new role she will lead complete operations at the hotel. She will be responsible to create new business opportunities, develop talent, development plans, and guidelines to maintain market leadership. With her skills and experience, she aims to build Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park as a preferred destination for social gatherings including weddings and a sought after space for Gen-Y travellers. 

Lekshmi plans to take Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park to the next level by creating more interesting business plans and offerings for business travellers to have a comfortable stay and for millennials to relax and unwind. She has a proven track record of leading and executing business strategies.

Lekshmi holds a B.Sc degree in Hospitality Administration from IHM Kovalam, followed by an MBA degree in Human Resources Management and a PGDM in Guest Service Management from Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development. She commenced her hospitality journey by working with Oberoi Hotels for the first seven years of her career in F&B and room division.

She joined Accor in 2014 in sales and marketing. She grew her way in sales to become Director of Sales and then moved back to operations in 2019 as Rooms Division Manager. Lekshmi’s last assignment was at the ibis Kochi City Centre as General Manager before joining Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park at Outer Ring Road

Lekshmi is a state council member of the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce, India, Hospitality and Tourism- Kerala chapter. Through this platform, she has conducted various activities during the second wave of the pandemic to ensure the mental well-being of not only female hoteliers but also the members of the hospitality industry as a whole.  She is a fitness enthusiast and a yoga lover. When not at work, she loves to paint, garden, and read.

Appointment | Absolute Hotel Services promotes Prashant Shewale as Regional Manager – Revenue & Distribution

He joined Absolute Hotel Services at Eastin Easy Aishwarya Talegaon as Front Office Manager and was later promoted to Rooms Division Manager

Absolute Hotel Services India has promoted Prashant Shewale as Regional Manager – Revenue & Distribution. A hotel management graduate, he did his Business Administration from Greenwich University.

Shewale has over a decade of experience in operations, predominantly in the rooms division, with a sizeable tenure in the UK, notably with ibis and Novotel.

He joined Absolute Hotel Services at Eastin Easy Aishwarya Talegaon as Front Office Manager and outperformed to be promoted as Rooms Division Manager. Astute with numbers and a slant towards analytics, he has shown immense interest in understanding markets, revenue models, distribution networks and its implication on business.  

“Absolute Hotel Services as a hotel operator is known to recognize, develop and nurture talent, empowering individuals to flourish in their space of interest. Homegrown aptitude always gives us the advantage of a clear understanding of our vision, culture, work style amongst other characteristics, hence Prashant’s advancement is in line with our Human Resource practices, as we keep increasing our footprints. Revenue and Distribution is one of our key pillars in our management process and he will fittingly shoulder this responsibility”, said Shalil Suvarna, VP – Operations & Pre-Opening of Absolute Hotel Services India

Appointment | Hitesh Mehta joins Novotel Kolkata as Director of Finance

Novotel Kolkata has appointed Hitesh Mehta as Director of Finance. Over the past 14 years, he has worked with Hyatt Regency Chandigarh, JW Marriott Chandigarh, Indore Marriott Hotel, Le Meridian Nagpur, The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, and ICICI Bank.

Mehta is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He will organize and direct the team to supervise all revenues and expenses and all inventories in his current role. He will also be responsible for managing the day-to-day financial reporting and controlling requirements of the departments and will be required to review and analyze management accounts.

Mehta will plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate the activities of the personnel involved in the organization’s accounting and other financial functions. He will also analyze and interpret financial data and recommend changes to improve financial performance and maintain an account of all the transactions. He will be responsible for budget and cost controls, financial analysis, accounting practices, and reports.

Appointment | Anantara Siam Bangkok Announces Key Culinary Appointments at Thailand’s Flagship Hotel

Anantara Siam Bangkok Announces Key Culinary Appointments at Thailand’s Flagship Hotel

Anantara Siam Bangkok Announces Key Culinary Appointments at Thailand’s Flagship Hotel

Bangkok, February 2022 – Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas announces four key culinary appointments at the international hotel group’s Bangkok flagship property – Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.

Jérémy Jouan - Executive Chef

 Chef Jérémy began his career at the one-Michelin-starred Château de Bagnols in his native France, before embarking on a culinary journey that saw him honing his skills in some of the world’s most famous kitchens – from the two-Michelin-starred La Chèvre d'Or, France; to Alain and Michel Roux’s three-Michelin-starred The Waterside Inn outside London; and the famed two-Michelin-starred Restaurant DANIEL in New York.

He joins Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel from The Oberoi, Marrakech, where he oversaw five food and beverage outlets as the Executive Chef.  Prior to working in Morocco, he was the Executive Sous Chef at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 in Vietnam and held Chef de Cuisine positions at Armani Hotel Dubai; Burj Al Arab; and Capital Club Dubai.

 Jérémy holds a Master’s Degree in Culinary Arts from École Hôtelière de Marseille and attained two national diplomas from Lycée des Métiers Alexandre Dumas in Cavaillon, France.  In 2003 he was crowned the runner up in the Meilleurs Apprentis Cuisinier de France (The Best Apprentice Chefs in France) competition.

In his new role at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel Chef Jérémy Jouan will oversee the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and the annual World Gourmet Festival event, Bangkok’s oldest international culinary spectacular.

Anupong Nualchawee - Cluster Executive Pastry Chef

 Thai-born Anupong is no stranger to the limelight in Asia, having won the Eat List Star television show search for the next big culinary personality in 2017; co-presented the McDang cooking show on Thai television; and participated in Cleo Magazine’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors competition in 2015.

He started his professional career as Executive Personal Chef for the Thai Royal Family at Chakri Bongkot Palace in Pathum Thani in 2008, before relocating to the United States where he took up various Assistant Pastry Chef positions from Florida to New Hampshire.  Anupong returned to Bangkok to take the helm in the pastry kitchen for various hotel openings and a rebranding, including Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa, and The Athenee Hotel and The St. Regis Bangkok where he led both culinary teams as Executive Pastry Chef.

The part-time lecturer at Bangkok University and Walailongkorn University holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Dusit Thani College Bangkok’s Faculty of Hospitality Industry; a Certificate of Master Chocolate Dessert from l’École Valrhona in Japan; and Certificates of Master Sugar Showpiece and Master Chocolate Showpiece from the Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia.

Anupong will also oversee operations at the brand’s Anantara Bangkok Riverside Hotel as well as its sister property Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel.

Kevin Montorfano - Chef de Cuisine, Biscotti Restaurant

Swiss-Italian national Kevin joins the Michelin Guide-listed Italian restaurant and Bangkok’s favourite trattoria from Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo where he was the Head Chef at Pesce Italian fine dining restaurant.

Starting his career as Commis Chef at the 17-point-Gault&Millau Villa Sassa Hotel & Spa in Lugano, Kevin relocated to the Middle East in 2013 and held Chef de Partie positions at Al Muntaha at the Burj Al Arab; Vanitas at Palazzo Versace; and the three-Michelin-starred Quique Dacosta restaurant’s popup in Dubai.

Kevin’s culinary journey took him to London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in 2017 where he held the position of Demi Chef de Partie at the two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.  In 2018 he returned to his homeland to take up the Sous Chef position at L´Accademia at the Beau-Rivages Palace in Lausanne.

Chef Kevin attained a Culinary Degree from the Hospitality and Management School of Lugano, Switzerland.

Alexandre Castaldi - Executive Sous Chef

French-born Chef Alexandre Castaldi joins Anantara’s Bangkok flagship hotel from Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel where he held the Executive Sous Chef position.

Alex made his first foray into the Asian culinary scene in 2011 as Chef de Partie at Sofitel Bangkok Silom Hotel, after which he returned to his native France to complete his two-year Brevet de Technicien Supérieur diploma in Hospitality Catering at Lycée Hotelier de Marseille. While studying, he started honing his culinary skills as a Commis Chef under legendary three-Michelin-starred Chef Alain Senderens, one of the founders of the nouvelle cuisine movement, and then as Chef de Partie at the one-Michelin-starred Restaurant Le Céladon in the heart of Paris. 

In 2014, Alex returned to Bangkok to take up the role of Executive Sous Chef at Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant, and in 2016 he took the helm as Executive Chef at the Hong Kong edition of the popular French eatery. 

The opening of SEEN Restaurant & Bar, Bangkok’s newest society rooftop hangout, in 2018 and the opportunity to work alongside Olivier da Costa, one of Portugal’s most successful chefpreneurs, lured him back to the City of Angels as Chef de Cuisine.  In 2020 Chef Alex was appointed as Executive Sous Chef at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel where SEEN is located.

Appointment | Alma Resort Cam Ranh Welcomes Son Hoang Le as Director of Sales

Alma Resort Cam Ranh Welcomes Son Hoang Le as Director of Sales

CAM RANH, Vietnam FEB 2022– A talented hospitality professional with more than 16 years of experience in sales, marketing, events, and operations at some of Vietnam’s most acclaimed hotels has been named Alma’s director of sales.

Vietnamese national Son Hoang Le’s appointment to the 30-hectare family resort, with 196 pavilions and 384 suites overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula, comes after he worked at the Caravelle Saigon as the director of room sales.

Before that, he was the director of sales and marketing at Diamond Bay Vung Tau Resort & Spa and the director of sales at Hotel Majestic Saigon.

Son embarked on his hospitality career in early 2005 as a bellman at the Caravelle Saigon, where he spent the next 10 years also working as a receptionist, night supervisor and banquet sales executive, learning about various facets of the hotel business.

He moved to the Hotel Nikko Saigon to become a corporate sales executive, before progressing to the Pullman Hanoi where he became a sales manager and then an acting senior sales manager.

Son holds a Bachelor of Arts, English Linguistics and Literature at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and also studied electronics at Cao Thang College. Both institutions are based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Describing him as “an excellent negotiator and strategic thinker”, Alma’s managing director Herbert-Laubichler Pichler said Son’s background in operations enriched his leadership abilities among the hotel’s management ranks and, coupled with his rich sales and marketing experience, placed him in great stead to spearhead the resort’s ambitious sales efforts for 2022.

Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated Alma features 14 food and beverage outlets and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools. Other drawing cards include a science museum, 6000 square metre waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, art gallery, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre with virtual reality games, kid’s club, water sports centre, gymnasium and yoga room and an 18-hole putting green.

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com or email info@alma-resort.com

Appointment | Accor India and South Asia appoints Pratima Badhwar as Head of Commercial

She will lead India and South Asia Commercial Team to achieve business targets for all Accor hotels in the region while ensuring the execution of global strategies

Accor has appointed Pratima Badhwar as the Head of Commercial India & South Asia. With an extensive background in Sales and Distribution in the hospitality industry, she will lead India and South Asia Commercial Team to achieve business targets for all Accor brands and hotels in the region while ensuring the execution of global strategies.

Throughout her 19-year long career, Badhwar has been a key contributor to various hotel leadership teams as a collaborator, effective communicator, and result-oriented individual driving business growth through exemplary organizational capabilities. Her forte is creating and managing high-performing teams that offer intangible products to translate her ideas into results.

Congratulating Badhwar on her appointment, Puneet Dhawan, Senior VP Operations, India and South Asia said “Pratima comes with vast expertise in the sales domain and will surely drive Accor’s commitment to offer the best experience to our guests and owners. Having worked in the field, upholding various senior management roles, she brings with her strong expertise, and we are confident that her knowledge and approach to hospitality along with her passionate outlook will further enhance our positioning in the industry.”

On her appointment, Badhwar, “Accor has a rich hospitality legacy, and I am absolutely delighted to join the commercial leadership team. I look forward to deep diving into the distinctive brands and discerning the best strategies that will bring out their unique color all under the Accor umbrella, as one.”

Badhwar holds a diploma in Hotel Management from IHMCTAN Chandigarh, affiliated with IHM Pusa. In the past, she has been associated with Marriott International. In her most recent assignment, she was the Area Director of Sales and Distribution – North India, Nepal and Bhutan and was responsible for defining and leading sales and pricing strategy, strategizing effective pricing across all segments, evaluating market demand trends, and identifying and communicating strategic opportunities amongst many others.

Appointment | Gaurav Ganapathy joins Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa as Director of Sales & Marketing

He will be responsible for driving revenue optimizations, key account sales, and company-wide marketing efforts at the hotel

Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Gaurav Ganapathy as Director of Sales &Marketing. He has a defined work experience of over ten years and is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with cumulative exposure to great brands.

He will be spearheading the sales and marketing team to drive revenue optimizations, key account sales, and company-wide marketing efforts in his current role. Ganapathy is an avid cricketer and sportsman who played for the state and in multiple sports and likes to drive and explore new places in his leisure time.

While talking about his appointment, Ganapathy said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock the door, build one.” He will continuously dedicate himself to his role and lead the team to drive a stunning performance. His fresh ideas, assertiveness, and experience will add value to the team.

Appointment | Gaurav Basnet is General Manager at Pushpam Lords Resort Karjat

His last assignment was General Manager of Montrose Golf Resort and Spa, Coorg

Gaurav Basnet has joined Pushpam Lords Resort Karjat as General Manager. An accomplished hospitality professional with over 17 years of experience, he has a postgraduate degree in Business Management from XLRI.

Basnet spent the initial days of his professional career at ITC Windsor Sheraton and Towers, Bengaluru, as Restaurant Manager and Marriott International New Delhi. He later joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts (West Bengal) as Operations Manager.

He later moved to Golkonda Hotel & Resorts in Hyderabad as Operations Manager. He worked with Goa’s Nanu Hotels & Resorts as Operations Manager below joining Mint Hotels & Resorts as Regional Manager. His last assignment was General Manager of Montrose Golf Resort and Spa, Coorg.

Appointment | Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center appoints Vedagiri Rajaram as the Director of F&B

Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center appoints Vedagiri Rajaram as the Director of F&B

Bengaluru, 22nd February 2022: Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center has

appointed Vedagiri Rajaram as the Director of Food & Beverage. With 13 years of rich and diverse

experience, he is a Food & Beverage specialist who started his hospitality journey with the Royal Orchid

Bangalore.

Prior to joining Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, Ved established his

a career with prominent hotels like Oberoi Hotels & Resorts at Trident Nariman Point and Trident

Hyderabad, The Leela Palace, Udaipur and Vivanta by Taj, Hyderabad. One of the highlights of his stint at

Trident, Nariman Point was organizing a sit-down dinner for 700 international delegates at the launch of

‘Make in India’ in 2016, chaired by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Through his hospitality journey, Ved has always believed that people are the key assets for any business

to grow and has strived to inculcate a spirit of learning wherever he goes. He will be spearheading F&B

operations, specialty restaurants, guest experiences, and other key roles in the hotel. With his strong

management and leadership skills, Ved’s focus at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel &

Convention Center will be on operational excellence, elevating dining experiences, and developing

innovative food and beverage concepts.

In his leisure time, Ved is fond of traveling, exploring new places, and playing football. He also has a keen

interest in bikes.

Appointment | Ramnik Choudhary joins Raffles Udaipur as Director of Sales & Marketing

Raffles Udaipur, Accor’s first hotel under this brand in India, has appointed Ramnik Choudhary as Director of Sales & Marketing. He has over 20 years of experience in sales, hotel pre-openings, marketing, loyalty, revenue and distribution. He was previously Senior Director of Airline Sales and Business Support at Accor Hotels and brings with himself a strong skill set and proven abilities to lead teams towards the achievement of organizational goals.

Choudhary is a planner and strategist acknowledged for strengthening hotel operations to lead in highly competitive markets and delivering innovative strategies and solutions. With a strong focus on revenue-generation and materializing business in a robust yet competitive environment, Choudhary has successfully launched over 20 hotels across India so far. He also played a key role in significantly improving performance at The Imperial Hotel early on in his career.

Appointment | Shyam Kumar is the new General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Agra

He was earlier the Director of Operations at Conrad Bengaluru, actively participating in the hotel’s success and strengthening the team

DoubleTree by Hilton Agra has appointed Shyam Kumar as its new general manager. A passionate hotelier with over 21 years of experience believes that hard work and discipline are secret ingredients to success. 

Kumar started his career as an operations trainee and worked with Sarovar Park, ITC, Shangri-La and Marriott before leaving India for higher education to New Zealand in 2005.

Before joining DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, Kumar was the Director of Operations at Conrad Bengaluru, actively participating in the hotel’s success and strengthening the team. He has also worked with Starwood and Marriott with some of his assignments as Director of Food and Beverage at Shangri-La Bengaluru, managing the city’s largest F&B space of 10 outlets.

Kumar also had the opportunity to be part of Hilton’s prestigious Shine 2 program, which made him learn and understand the skills required for the new roles and challenges. He lives with his wife Sudha and his two children, seven-year-old daughter Harika and 4-year-old son Shanmukh. Fitness, music, and books keep driving him during his free time. He also likes exploring heritage and spiritual sites.

Appointment | Hotel Renest Tirupati appoints Nagesh Rao as General Manager

He will develop procedures, implement effective cost control measures and design training programs to maximize profits

Nagesh Rao has joined Hotel  Renest Tirupati as General Manager. He will be responsible for developing procedures, planning & implementing effective control measures, designing and implementing training programs. He will also identify and resolve problems-reversing negative trends, controlling costs and maximizing profits.

Rao is a competent professional with an experience of 25 years in the hospitality industry. He has worked with leading hotels of the IHCL Group in India and Yemen, Le Royal Meridian at Chennai, and more. An exemplary communicator, he has strong skills in forging business partnerships, leading cross-cultural teams and establishing beneficial relationships in the industry.
In his free time, Rao loves playing cricket and chess. He is also a talented singer.

Appointment | Joydeep Acharya joins JW Marriott Kolkata as Executive Housekeeper

Accentuating guest experience at the hotel, he will contribute his expertise in the property's financial administration, operating statements and payroll progress reports

Joydeep Acharya, a result-oriented professional with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, has joined JW Marriott Kolkata as Executive Housekeeper. During his stints at international brands, including Swissotel, The Ritz Carlton, Starwood, ITC Hotels, Intercontinental Hotel Groups and The Oberoi Group, he demonstrated diligent attention to guest experience and feedback. His primary responsibilities included managing human resource activities assuring patron contentment and effective communication across departments.

With a proven track record of exceptional teamwork, Acharya is a graduate of Hotel Management from Mangalore University. He began his career at The Cecil, Shimla- Oberoi Hotels and Resorts in 2001. Later, he was an integral part of the pre-opening team at The ITC Sonar- a Luxury Collection Hotel.

After eight years at The ITC Hotels, where he successfully handled several managerial roles, Acharya moved to Le Meridien Ahmedabad as a Housekeeping Manager. He later worked with Crowne Plaza, Bangalore and The Ritz Carlton Bangalore, joining Swissotel Kolkata in 2018 as an Executive Housekeeper. Acharya was the Group Cluster Head of Housekeeping and Laundry at Sparsh Hospitals Group before joining JW Marriott Kolkata.

In his current role, he will accentuate guest experience at the hotel, understand how departmental activities affect the financial goals and objectives of the hotel, contributing his expertise in the financial administration of the hotel, operating statements and payroll progress reports. He will play a vital role in elevating the hotel’s market profile and increasing employee engagement to help the property reach its pinnacle. 

Joydeep believes that there are always long-term prospects for his future endeavours. He will work closely with the hotel’s leadership team to positively impact and achieve overall hotel goals and offer the guests a truly memorable experience.

Appointment | Abhishek Singh joins Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram Downtown our Executive Chef

Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram Downtown has appointed Abhishek Singh as its Executive Chef. He brings with him extensive 16 years of hospitality experience and has worked with hospitality brands across the country including Taj, Hilton, Claridges, Leela, Hyatt, Radisson. Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram Downtown, he was the Executive Sous Chef at JW Marriott Aerocity.

Hailing from Lucknow, Chef Singh is an alumnus of IHM Lucknow and has been a part of an array of pre-opening teams including Radisson Blue Towers – Delhi NCR. His food philosophy has always been to use farm fresh, sustainable and locally sourced seasonal produce.

Chef Singh firmly believes that the key to creating a memorable dining experience is to focus on quality further ensuring customer satisfaction. His forte lies in Indian and Western cuisine and he will be magnifying the menu at Courtyard Gurugram by curating dishes from different parts of the country. 

Appointment | Nisha Kumari join Fairmont Jaipur as Head Chef of Zia restaurant

She has trained with Albert de Mun Paris VII and represented India in the Young Chef Olympiad 2016 between 67 countries

Fairmont Jaipur has appointed Chef Nisha Kumari as the Head Chef of its recently launched ‘Zia’ barbeque restaurant. With over five years of experience, she has trained with Albert de Mun – Paris VII and represented India in the Young Chef Olympiad 2016 between 67 countries. She is also the winner of Super Chef 2015 in Bangkok. Her love for the aesthetic presentation of food and beverage makes her a perfect fit for Zia. 

Commenting on the announcement, Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur said, “We are delighted to have Nisha join to spearhead the operations at our newly launched barbeque restaurant – Zia. With her immense passion for aesthetics and love for global culinary, she will play a crucial role in enhancing the skills of our team and further elevating the dining experiences for our well-traveled guests. She brings to the table her rich expertise in introducing unique food preparation techniques and will drive our vision to delight our guests with a plethora of delectable delicacies.”

Nisha has honed the art of creating thoughtfully curated recipes and handling the preparation of elaborate meals for her guests. Her proficiency in menu planning, inventory management and extensive knowledge of global culinary trends will help create an unparalleled dining experience at Fairmont Jaipur.

‘Zia’ that translates to ‘light’ in Arabic, is a brand-new barbeque restaurant at Fairmont Jaipur. Taking inspiration from the grills of Mughal era as well as authentic American barbeque trails and set amidst lush citrus garden, the restaurant lights up magically when the gleaming moonlight shines above and creates a spectacular dining experience for guests, right under the stars.

Appointment | Ronan Fearon appointed as the General Manager JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa

Ronan Fearon is appointed as the General Manager at soon to launch JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa

JW Marriott, the global luxury hotel brand is pleased to welcome Ronan Fearon as the General Manager at the soon-to-launch JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa, a very anticipated opening within Marriott International’s luxury brand portfolio in India.

From joining the company over twenty years ago as a graduate trainee in the UK, Fearon has helmed marquee leadership roles across three continents with the hospitality company. His appointment as the General Manager of the new Resort will witness Fearon in an all-encompassing role responsible for positioning the hotel as a defining benchmark in luxury hospitality in the region.

Fearon is a graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management, Ireland, and completed a post-graduate MBA in the UK. He has held hotel leadership roles in Sales and Operations as well as been an advocate for Operational Innovation and Six Sigma during his time with Starwood Hotels.

Fearon is an enthusiastic leader bringing energy to those around him. He is focused on targets both financial and qualitative and has a passion for people and their development. Amongst his several noteworthy experiences in the luxury and hospitality sector, Fearon's most recent role was at Le Meridien Dubai Cluster in the United Arab Emirates. Before which, he was the General Manager of the legendary Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers and Complex Hotel Manager at The Westin/Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and inaugurated the luxurious St Regis Mauritius Resort and worked in the Starwood corporate office in Brussels, Belgium. A highlight in his career was the successful launch of St Regis Brand in Mauritius – the first of Marriott International’s luxury brands in Africa and the Indian ocean.

On his appointment as the General Manager of the new property, Ronan Fearon, commented, “I am excited to continue to grow my career with Marriott International and to join the South Asia family in launching the stunning JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa. Initially, I was impressed by the resort property itself and the stunning vista over the championship golf course and Nandi Hills. And whilst I was equally captivated by the presence of the JW Marriott brand and Prestige Group in the country, it was truly the warmth and friendliness of the Indian people and their approach to hospitality which has set my heart alight. I am looking forward to working with a talented team towards taking the brand to newer heights of unparalleled luxury hospitality.”

Fearon is an avid golfer and tennis player. He loves travelling especially when it can include one-of-a-kind experiences with his family. Hence his vision for the property is to attract individuals, families and groups to this part of the country that otherwise would have gone to other states or overseas and to be Marriott International’s most successful opening in 2022.