Insider Stories

Otelier, a leading SaaS provider transforming the hospitality industry with its suite of innovative solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of Rob Lawrence as its new Chief Executive Officer. Lawrence, a highly accomplished software executive, will lead Otelier through its next chapter of growth and customer-centric innovation. Ali Moloo will remain the Executive Chairperson of Otelier and will continue to play an active role with the Company. Otelier is known for empowering hospitality brands with comprehensive technology solutions that drive operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and unlock revenue growth. Otelier continues to be a trusted partner for hotel, resort, and vacation property operators globally with products like Intellisight for data-driven insights, as well as DigiPay, DigiAudit, Rec, and TruePlan for streamlined financial and operational management. Rob joins Otelier with a proven track record of scaling SaaS companies and leading organizations to achieve exceptional results. He has held executive leadership roles across both publicly-held and privately-held software businesses, where he has driven significant revenue growth, product innovation, and customer delight. Lawrence’s strategic vision, combined with his deep understanding of the SaaS landscape, positions him well to accelerate Otelier’s mission of delivering unmatched value to its customers in the hospitality industry. “I am honored to join Otelier at this pivotal time,” Lawrence said. “Otelier’s commitment to redefining hospitality technology and enhancing operational excellence is truly disruptive. I look forward to working with the talented team here to build on our successes, deliver transformative solutions to our customers, and set new benchmarks for innovation in the industry.” The appointment of Lawrence as CEO comes as Otelier continues to experience strong growth, fueled by the increasing demand for technology that optimizes hospitality operations and guest engagement. His leadership will further enhance Otelier’s ability to deliver seamless solutions that empower hotels to navigate the complexities of a dynamic industry landscape. “Rob Lawrence’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Otelier,” said Ali Moloo, Founder and Executive Chairman of Otelier. “Rob’s expertise in driving growth, along with his passion for customer success, aligns perfectly with Otelier’s vision to become the industry leader in hospitality technology. We are confident that under his leadership, Otelier will achieve new levels of impact and growth.” As the hospitality sector embraces digital transformation, Otelier remains dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable clients to thrive in a competitive marketplace. With Rob Lawrence at the helm, Otelier is poised to expand its product offerings, enhance customer partnerships, and continue leading the industry with innovative, value-driven technology.

Orient Express announces the appointment of Yannick Alléno, one of the most innovative and prestigious chefs on the international culinary scene, as Executive Chef of the legendary Orient Express Train and the world's largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian. This collaboration marks a milestone in the history of Orient Express, combining the brand's timeless heritage with the very best of French culinary art. A renowned signature for unparalleled experiences and emotions With two three-star Michelin ratings and a resolutely avant-garde career path, Yannick Alléno transformed the prestigious Pavillon Ledoyen into the world's most starred independent gastronomic establishment in 2014. Chef Alléno is world-renowned for his mastery of traditional French techniques combined with a modern and innovative vision of gastronomy. By joining Orient Express, he redefines the culinary experience for travelers, offering them a journey of the senses that celebrates elegance, sophistication and a passion for taste all in the heart of unforgettable destinations. A culinary journey designed for excellence and escape Aboard two restaurant cars of the Orient Express Train and on the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian, which wil house five restaurants, including La Table de l'Orient Express by Yannick Alléno, Chef Alléno offers an exceptional gastronomic experience, with exclusive menus inspired by the terroirs crossed and the unique landscapes of each journey. Driven by an insatiable quest for creativity and innovation, his cuisine promises to sublimate every moment of the voyage, plunging passengers into a universe of unprecedented flavors, textures and aromas. Yannick Alléno's unique culinary creations, created using the finest techniques and ingredients, will allow passengers to be transported by a universe where excellence and creative audacity know no bounds. Each dish will tell a story, echoing the spirit of travel and escape, while honoring the excellence of Orient Express, where every detail counts.

Fairmont Windsor Park and the Arora Group have announced the appointment of Joanna Barnett as its new General Manager. With an impressive career spanning three decades in the luxury hospitality industry, Joanna Barnett brings deep expertise and strong leadership to her new role at the countryside property. Barnett joins Fairmont Windsor Park following a 12-year tenure at The Grove, a prestigious country estate and hotel in Hertfordshire. Most recently, she served as Hotel Manager, overseeing the property's operations, group sales, and revenue management, driving significant growth and delivering exceptional guest satisfaction. Her journey at The Grove began in 2013, during which she progressed through a series of senior leadership roles, including Director of Events and Food & Beverage, and Director of Events. Prior to her career at The Grove, Barnett honed her skills at The Landmark London, where she held key leadership positions, including Events Director and Director of Event Sales, during her 11-year tenure. She began her journey in hospitality at two of London's most iconic establishments, The Savoy Group and The Berkeley, laying the foundation for her distinguished career in luxury hotels. Barnett's extensive experience in operational excellence, team leadership, and guest satisfaction aligns seamlessly with Fairmont Windsor Park's commitment to providing world-class luxury experiences. Barnett succeeds Ryan Nicholls, who has served as General Manager since March 2022 and now takes on the role of Project Development Director at the Arora Group, based at the Group's Head Office.

Rajani Nair Deb has been appointed as the General manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra. With over 22 years of hospitality experience, Rajani most recently served as Commercial Director at Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, where she played a pivotal role in driving exceptional growth in hotel performance metrics.  Prior to joining Hilton, Rajani served as Pre-Opening Director of Sales & Marketing at The Leela Gandhinagar and The Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, where she made significant contributions to business growth. Rajani's career is a testament to her expertise in business development, revenue management, and pre-opening planning. She has been a part of pre-opening landmark hotels like the Leela Palace Bengaluru, The ITC Sonar Bangla, HICC & Novotel Hyderabad – in various capacities in Food & Beverage Operations and Business Development. She is a passionate advocate for gender equity and inclusiveness. She has led key initiatives like “Conversations that care” and “Shakti at Hilton” which delve into sensitive gender-inclusive issues and has been a member in Hilton’s Women Team Member Resource Group (WTMRG).  Her journey to becoming a General Manager has been shaped by continuous learning, having undertaken several leadership training programs like Shine 2 and Lead 3.1 to master aspects of hotel operations. She was also a part of the Woman in Leadership programme in 2023 (the 1st cohort of Hilton India). Beyond her professional achievements, Rajani is an avid traveller who enjoys discovering new cuisines and cultures, and she loves to work with feline rescue initiatives, which adds a touch of warmth to her dynamic and driven personality Her family consists of her husband Rudrojit and their cats – Felix and Fuzz Aldrin who joins her in Agra.

Abdeali Zoomkawala comes to The Khyber, Gulmarg with more than two decades of work experience in the hospitality industry. “We are happy to welcome Abdeali on board The Khyber as he brings with him a solid and varied experience in the hospitality industry. With The Khyber completing twelve years this year, his contribution to taking it to greater heights is eagerly anticipated,” says Vinit Chhabra, General Manager, The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg. Abdeali honed his professional skills whilst working with renowned brands such as The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, The Trident Mumbai, The Leela Palace Bangalore, The Ritz Carlton Bangalore, Trident Hyderabad, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi, Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore, Bookmark, Manali (Justa Hotels & Resorts) and most recently with IF.BE Ice Factory Ballard Estate — a 140 year old ice factory that is now A place for the creative—A place for the community in the heart of Mumbai.       Abdeali has extensive experience in hotel management, pre-opening operations, and strategic leadership roles. Proven track record of achieving operational excellence, maximizing revenue and fostering guest satisfaction. An alumnus of IIHM Aurangabad and Huddersfield University, Yorkshire, Abdeali holds a BA in Hotel/ Motel Administration and Management. He further enhanced his skills by enrolling in various training programmes including on Positive & Effective Communication, Certificate of Recognition for Sales & Service Foundations Training, Sales Advantage Training by Dale Carnegie, "Magic of Fish" training by Interactive Skills, a course of ISABS (International Society for Applied Behavioural Sciences), Programme on Team Synergy conducted by Academy of Human Excellence and Certification in Butler Training Programme from the Ivor Spencer School of Butlers, United Kingdom. Speaking on his appointment, Abdeali Zoomkawala, said, “I look forward to working with the talented team at The Khyber, India’s only luxury ski Resort. As a team we will strive to keep the flag flying high with world-class services, while continuously innovating to exceed the expectations of our guests. I hope to curate bespoke experiences, enhancing the property's brand identity.” Proficient in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Arabic (reading only) Abdeali is an avid and voracious reader and sports enthusiast.

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort announces the return of Mohamed El Aghoury as the multi-property general manager. With over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, El Aghoury has built his career across the Middle East and internationally, holding leadership positions at prestigious hotels in Dubai, Egypt and the Maldives. His expertise spans hospitality management, F&B operations, and property rebranding. His leadership was instrumental at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, where he drove strategic initiatives that significantly increased occupancy and revenue. He is a highly awarded leader, recognised for his excellence in hospitality management and dedication to guest satisfaction.

easyHotel, the great value low-carbon hotel brand, has announced its appointment of Anja Bachmann as Head of Development in Germany and the Netherlands, as the Group looks to grow its network of hotels across the Netherlands and expand into new German markets. This is a newly created role, with Anja using her extensive experience in hospitality to identify strategic acquisitions in primary and secondary cities for owned and leased, and franchise opportunities. While easyHotel already has a strong presence in the Netherlands, with seven locations, Germany is an untapped market with only one hotel in Berlin, offering significant growth potential for the Group. easyHotel also benefits from being part of the easy family of brands, with sister brands including easyJet, who have been flying to Germany for over 20-years. There is huge opportunity for growth, with branded budget hotels currently comprising 25% of the market in Germany compared to 45% in the UK. Anja joins easyHotel from THE EMBASSIES, a global, intergenerational hospitality network of residences, clubs and public spaces, where she was Vice President, leading strategic growth initiatives and managing project development in Europe. Prior to this, Anja has also worked at MEININGER Hotels and GBI, a real estate project developer in Germany and Austria.

Octant Lousã, announces the appointment of Miguel Silva as Executive Chef of its signature À TERRA restaurant. A native of Coimbra with deep roots in central Portugal’s culinary traditions, Silva brings his expertise to craft a new menu celebrating the region’s rich gastronomic heritage. Chef Silva’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for À TERRA, where he will showcase his passionate commitment to local ingredients and regional producers. His new menu features innovative interpretations of traditional dishes, including specialties such as Cod loin “Lugrade” with pea and Portuguese cabbage, and the distinctive rice from the lower Mondego region served with barefoot and roosterfish fillets. “When crafting the new menu, I drew inspiration from the authentic regional ingredients and aimed to revive those forgotten foods that once formed the pillars of our local cuisine,” says Silva. “It’s a nod to the simple yet versatile culinary traditions that were once the foundation of central Portugal’s gastronomy. My new role at Octant Lousã allows me to showcase and let diners experience the unique, vibrant flavors that make this region’s food so special.” Silva brings extensive experience from some of Portugal’s most prestigious kitchens, having refined his craft under renowned chefs including Fausto Airoldi at Casino de Lisboa and Luís Baena at Hotel Tivoli Lisboa. His previous leadership roles include positions at Villa Batalha hotel, Lisboa Carmo Hotel, Eurostars Oasis Plaza in Figueira da Foz, and Tivoli Coimbra. Aligned with Octant Hotels’ commitment to authentic, locally-rooted experiences across its collection of eight boutique properties throughout Portugal – Octant Lousã, classified as a Historical Heritage Building of Public Interest, provides an elegant backdrop for Silva’s culinary vision, offering guests a genuine taste of central Portugal’s rich culinary heritage in a historic setting. For reservations at À TERRA, please call +351 239 990 800 or email reservations-lousa@octanthotels.com

Officials of Five Star Group, a private commercial real estate investment, development and management firm focused on Southeastern hospitality projects, today announced that Kimberly Rowell has been named executive vice president of Five Star Hospitality Management. Rowell joined the organization in February 2023 and has spent the past 20 months making a transformative impact, culminating in today’s formal announcement of her role. With over 35 years of hospitality leadership, Rowell has worked for such leading industry organizations as Blackstone, Winegardner & Hammons, ZMC Hotels, HP Hotels while driving operational excellence across a diverse portfolio of Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Wyndham and Choice Hotels. Her expertise spans operations, finance, accounting, revenue management, human resources, sales, marketing, quality control and franchise and owner relations. A Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Certified Hotel Owner (CHO), Rowell is a founding board member of the Extended Stay Lodging Association and an active advocate for Women Leading Hospitality.

The EVE Hotel Sydney is proud to welcome Katharina Enzinger who has been appointed as Executive Assistant Hotel Manager. She joins General Manager, Ben Mellor, who commenced at the hotel in September 2024. With a hospitality career spanning The UAE, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Australia, Katharina brings a wealth of international hospitality experience to the role. Most recently, as Director of Rooms of the 590-room Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Katharina led the Front Office, Housekeeping, Concierge, and Club teams to success. Her innovative spirit led to the successful implementation of Leading Quality Assurance Action Plans that significantly elevated guest experiences. She also set new standards as the first Australian hotelier to launch Duve—a game-changing guest communication platform and helped with the launch of mobile keys into the Sofitel - the first Accor-operated Australian property to do so. In her new position, Katharina will take the helm in developing the hotel's talented team, and ensuring the hotel crafts unparalleled guest experiences that reflect the luxury and sophistication The EVE embodies.

Pendry Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine “Kati” Gregory as the new Director of Sales and Marketing of Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. Kati has recently relocated to Baltimore and will oversee all aspects of group and transient business, catering sales, meetings and events, as well as marketing and public relations for the iconic waterfront hotel. With over 17 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry, Kati brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her new role. She began her career with Hilton, representing five Chicago hotels, and went on to lead the sales team for W Hotels Chicago, where she played a pivotal role in the transition from Starwood to Marriott. Kati later introduced Convene to the Chicago market as Area Director of Sales, guiding the team through the successful opening of four properties. Most recently, she served as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Thesis Hotel Miami in South Florida. “Kati’s extensive background in sales leadership, combined with her strategic approach and passion for hospitality, make her the perfect fit for Sagamore Pendry Baltimore,” said Parag Athavale, General Manager at Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. “We’re excited to welcome her to the team as we continue to elevate our guest experience and expand our presence in the Baltimore market.” Originally from California, Kati earned her degree in Communications and Public Relations with a minor in Hospitality from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. In her free time, Kati enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and supporting her favorite Chicago sports teams. She and her husband are raising three daughters, including a set of identical twins, and enjoy spending time with their two French Bulldogs. For more information about Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, please visit https://www.pendry.com/baltimore or visit @sagamorependrybaltimore.

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.