Insider Stories

Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel and Convention Center is delighted to announce the appointment of Ravi Rawat as its new Assistant Pastry Chef. A culinary artisan with over nine years of experience, Chef Ravi is renowned for his expertise in bakery and pastry arts, blending creativity with precision to deliver exceptional gastronomic creations. Chef Ravi’s impressive career spans some of the country’s most esteemed establishments, including Grand Hyatt Kochi, The Westin Hyderabad, and Aloft Hotel Bengaluru. At Grand Hyatt Kochi, he led bakery operations, crafting innovative recipes and mentoring a team of pastry chefs. His remarkable contributions to the culinary world have earned him accolades. Among his notable achievements is the creation of the tallest edible Christmas tree at The Westin Hyderabad, a feat that garnered widespread acclaim. Guided by a culinary philosophy that champions the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Chef Ravi curates’ desserts that cater to a diverse range of palates. His passion for innovation drives him to experiment with new techniques and flavors, ensuring every creation is a memorable indulgence. In his new role, Chef Ravi will oversee the bakery and pastry operations at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel and Convention Center. With his artistic vision and leadership, the hotel’s dining experience is set to reach new heights, offering guests an exquisite array of desserts that perfectly complement its world-class hospitality. In his leisure time, he enjoys food photography and experimenting with new, creative recipes.

Seow’s innovative approach and proven expertise in the industry make her a great asset to the team

Mahesh is known for his problem-solving abilities and unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of teamwork and sustainability

Sarovar Premiere Amritsar has appointed Abhilash Menon as the General Manager. Abhilash began his journey with Taj Hotels in 2006, after graduating from the IHM Jaipur. His career has been marked by significant milestones, including his tenure at the iconic Leela Gurgaon, others where he played a pivotal role in managing the Food and Beverage portfolio, during high-profile events, such as the visits of two US Presidents and the Various Country heads, along with numerous other heads of state.  Guided by the hospitality philosophy of India – “Atithi Devo Bhava” which means "the guest is God". Abhilash has been committed to enhancing guest experiences and positioning the hotel as a premier luxury destination in Amritsar. He aims to cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation, ensuring every guest experience is memorable and unique.  A versatile hotelier and confident individual, Abhilash is known for confidently managing medium to large-scale hotel operations and bringing a wealth of leadership experience to the industry. Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Abhilash said, “I am honoured to join Sarovar Premiere Amritsar and excited to open the first Sarovar Premiere in Punjab. My vision is to build a vibrant and dynamic environment where guests get a refreshed experience every time they step in. Together with my team, I aim to establish Sarovar Premiere Amritsar as a benchmark for hospitality in Amritsar.”

Gabrielle Mendoza, a renowned trainer in restorative yoga and the creator of the Uncovering the Oasis Within concept, has been specially invited to hold classes at Banyan Tree Krabi resort in southern Thailand from December 6 - 15, 2024. During her 10-day residency as visiting practitioner, Gabrielle will be offering a plethora of mindful and holistic practices, including Vinyasa Yoga, meditation and sound healing, as well as her signature classes of restorative yoga, where one maintains deep breaths and maintains asanas (yoga poses) for longer - a technique accredited with alleviating stress, and helping with sleep, flexibility, and overall wellbeing. Based in Singapore, Gabrielle says that she “crumbled under the stress of the corporate world” and later only reclaimed her lost self through yoga. She says she now follows her dharma to help others manage stress through the means of mindfulness, meditation, and the discipline of yoga. Her appearance at Banyan Tree Krabi is another step forward in the hotel’s “Wellbeing Sanctuary” programme, which was initiated in 2021 and allows guests an option to combine a leisure vacation with a tailor-made daily itinerary designed to enrich mind, body and soul — from meditation and spa treatments to Thai boxing and nature trails — complemented with a nutritious diet and personal consultations. The Wellbeing Sanctuary programme is based on Banyan Tree’s own “8 Pillars” principle (Nourishment; Movement; Mindfulness; Rest; Groundedness; Growth; Connection; and Practice). Banyan Tree Spa Krabi was recently singled out by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide as one of the seven most luxurious spas in Thailand. MICHELIN also accredited the hotel with 2 Keys in its inaugural hotel listings for Thailand.  Located on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, some 25 km west of the town of Krabi, Banyan Tree Krabi has 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa, and a majestic seven-bedroom Presidential Beachfront Pool Villa. The resort backs into a lush forested national park, and each of the 72 rooms faces westward towards uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea. Facilities at this 5-star hotel include two restaurants and a beach bar, a beach club, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa Krabi. For more about Gabrielle Mendoza’s upcoming courses at Banyan Tree Krabi, visit: https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/krabi/gabrielle-mendoza For more information or bookings, contact: reservations-krabi@banyantree.com, or tel +66 075 811 888.

Khizer brings over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry and great enthusiasm to his role DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad has appointed Khizer Khan as its new Hotel Manager. With over 17 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Khizer brings a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic leadership approach to the role. Khizer has worked with some of the most esteemed brands in the industry, including Marriott in London Kensington, Hilton at London Heathrow Airport, and Hampton by Hilton in London Waterloo. His impressive career spans various leadership positions, providing him with a deep understanding of hotel operations and guest services and driving operational excellence across diverse environments. "I love the challenge of overseeing the entire operation and ensuring everything runs smoothly. I thrive on building a strong team and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. It’s rewarding to develop strategies that enhance guest satisfaction while driving the hotel’s success,” says Khizer. “Each day brings new opportunities to innovate and improve, keeping my passion for hospitality alive and vibrant.” In his new role, Khizer will oversee all aspects of operations at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the hotel’s reputation for exceptional service. Khizer’s passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and staff complements his vision of building a culture of excellence. His strong commitment to collaboration and innovation makes him the perfect fit to lead the hotel into its next chapter.

Ms. Van Vu takes the role at the newly opened Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. Fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, Vietnamese-Costa Rican dual citizen Ms. Van brings 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, operations, and revenue management, including 12 years at her previous post as a resort manager in Phu Quoc Island. Nestled on the pristine coast between Da Nang and Hoi An ancient town, Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang is the ultimate family-friendly beach holiday destination. Offering a range of stylish private pool villas and spacious hotel rooms featuring a unique “resort in the sky” concept, complemented by an enticing array of dining options and one of the largest resort spas in Vietnam, this tropical oasis promises an enjoyable and memorable wellness experience like no other.

Bringing in over a decade of experience in the hospitality sector, JW Marriott Goa announces the appointment of Annam Lubana as Director of Operations. With extensive experience in luxury hotels, Annam began her career in the rooms division, where her strong leadership skills with a strategic guest focused disposition stood out. This propelled her ascent to the position of Director of Operations, rapidly advancing through roles at renowned properties such as JW Marriott Pune, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar and The Oberoi Group of Hotels. Recognized for her inspiring leadership, Annam consistently garners the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders. Annam has been pivotal in driving guest satisfaction, boosting loyalty program performance, and optimizing department profitability. Her commitment to excellence is highlighted by her wins as a Digital Guest Experiences Trailblazer, representing the Asia Pacific region and her recognition as the Operations Leader of the Year in 2023. At JW Marriott Goa, she will oversee key operations departments, including Food & Beverage, Culinary, Front Office, Housekeeping and Spa, with a focus on delivering the brand’s hallmark of exceptional service. She has been with Marriott International for the last several years and has a strong foundation and understanding of the JW Marriott brand. Annam will focus on the revenue and reputation of JW Marriott Goa, helming a dynamic operational team and leading them to create exceptional moments for each guest. She will strategize with the team to achieve high guest satisfaction scores, drive Brand Standard audit performance, enhance and maximize operational profitability and productivity. Armed with a Post-Graduate Diploma from the prestigious Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development and a degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai, she is the proud winner of the T.R Oberoi Gold Medal in Academic Excellence as a Guest Services Management Associate. At JW Marriott Goa she will aim to work towards efficiency and consumer satiation. Annam is passionate about visiting new destinations to explore diverse cultures and experience renowned dining Venues and Bars. She enjoys a spot of reading in her spare time and is an ardent animal lover.

Prakash Yadav has been appointed as the new executive chef at Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90. He has more than 16 years of experience tucked under his chef’s hat. Yadav has more than 16 years of experience tucked under his chef’s hat with his expertise spanning kitchen operations, menu planning, food production and much more. He has also worked with renowned brands like Marriott International, One & Only Royal Mirage – Dubai, Devi Ratan Resort, Golden Tulip, Lemon Tree Premier, ITC Fortune Jaipur, Park Inn by Radisson, ITC Fortune Park Vapi, and Fairfield by Marriott Lucknow. Before joining the team at IHG Hotels & Resorts as an executive chef for Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, Yadav was with Marriott International where he served as a culinary head and was later promoted to executive chef.

Hyatt Regency Chennai proudly announces the appointment of Dinesh Sreevasudevan as the new Director of Sales. Dinesh’s journey with the Hyatt family began in 2012 when he joined the pre-opening team of Park Hyatt Chennai as an Events Executive. Over the years, he ascended through various senior positions, including, Senior Sales Manager, Associate Director of Sales, and Director of Sales, proving to be an indispensable part of the team. Most recently, Dinesh served as Director of Sales at Hyatt Place Hyderabad. With over 14 years of experience, his expertise encompasses sales funnel management, pricing strategies, and key account management, all of which have fueled the success of the properties he has led. Dinesh embarked on his career after earning an MBA in Marketing Management from Annamalai University. His early roles included senior sales positions at luxury hotels, where he crafted and executed impactful sales plans while managing key partnerships. His leadership and agility in adapting to evolving market trends have been vital in achieving ambitious sales targets. In his new role, Dinesh will spearhead all sales and marketing efforts at Hyatt Regency Chennai, ensuring the property not only strengthens its market presence but also continues to deliver unparalleled guest services.

Fusion Hotel Group has announced several key appointments in Vietnam as the wellness-inspired luxury brand continues to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian region. Taking over as Cluster General Manager at HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong and HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong New City in the outskirts of Saigon, Mr. Bui Duc Khiem has a Bachelor of Materials Science from the University of Natural Sciences Ho Chi Minh City and was a graduate in Information Technology at the University of Transport and Communication HCMC. Prior to joining the HIIVE brand, which is considered Fusion’s branch to the discerning business traveller, Mr. Khiem was the pre-opening Hotel Manager for a four-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and has more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality sector. Fusion Group has also announced the appointment of Mr. Tran Huu Thanh, popularly known as Colin, as the new General Manager of Fusion Suites Vung Tau, effective August 5, 2024. Commanding spectacular vistas across a peninsula on the coastline south of Saigon, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, which opened in 2020, is a 19-storey property featuring 171 well-appointed suites and apartments, a multitude of dining options, a 12-treatment room maritime-inspired spa, a yoga studio, and a rooftop infinity pool. Colin moves up from Executive Assistant Manager at Fusion Suites Vung Tau to the GM role. He previously worked for a five-star hotel in Saigon and a casino resort in Macau before joining the Fusion team. Ms. Van Vu takes the role at the newly opened Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. Fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, Vietnamese-Costa Rican dual citizen Ms. Van brings 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, operations, and revenue management, including 12 years at her previous post as a resort manager in Phu Quoc Island. A fourth appointment is Mr Cang Lam, who now becomes Cluster Resort Manager at Maia Resort Quy Nhon and its newly opened next-door neighbour The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon. Cang had previously been Executive Assistant Manager at Maia during the pre-opening and opening periods from February 2020. A native of Ho Chi Minh City, Cang started out as a Room Attendant at a 5-star hotel in Saigon in 2009, quickly working his way up the managerial ladder with experiences across the length of Vietnam, as well as spells in Macau and the Maldives. Mr. David Roberts, COO of Fusion Hotel Group, emphasised that these appointments align with the company’s core values of nurturing and empowering local talents. “The dynamic Vietnamese managers appointed at our hotels and resorts will inspire team spirit and contribute to enhancing Fusion’s reputation as one of the region’s leading wellness-driven brands,” he said. Blending an innovative ‘all-spa inclusive’ approach to wellness vacationing with their signature ‘breakfast anywhere, anytime’ concept, Fusion has won several prestigious awards recently – including accolades for its spas and wellness facilities, as well as sustainable practices.

Kaul will be leading three diverse hotel & resorts in this newly appointed role at Marriott International