Elevating Hospitality Standards: Insights from Vikas Sood of The Leela Gandhinagar

Elevating Hospitality Standards: Insights from Vikas Sood of The Leela Gandhinagar

Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

In an exclusive interview, Vikas Sood, the General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar and the Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, shared valuable insights into the hospitality landscape. With nearly two decades of experience with renowned brands like Taj, Hyatt, Accor, and Marriott, Sood's expertise has been instrumental in establishing The Leela Gandhinagar as a premier destination for luxury and MICE events.

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When we inquired about his approach to ensuring high hotel customer service and guest satisfaction, he emphasized, “Our vision at The Leela Gandhinagar and Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre has always been to offer an unmatched blend of luxury, world-class hospitality, and state-of-the-art facilities. By combining the elegance and opulence of The Leela with the scale and versatility of Mahatma Mandir, we’ve created a unique destination that caters to both discerning luxury travelers and large-scale MICE events. A key part of our success has been our unwavering commitment to service excellence, ensuring that every guest experience is distinguished by warmth, personalization, and attention to detail."

We also asked Sood how he stays updated on industry trends and implements innovative practices in the hotel. He remarked, “The hospitality industry has changed a lot in the past few years. Technology is playing the key role of an enabler and it will continue to have an increasingly important role in the industry in the coming years. At The Leela Gandhinagar, we closely monitor industry shifts and customer preferences, allowing us to anticipate changes and adapt accordingly. We have implemented cutting-edge technology, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our guests. Our focus on sustainability, unique cultural experiences, and strategic collaborations has helped us maintain our position as a leader.”

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The conversation with Sood highlighted his commitment to excellence and innovation within the hospitality sector. For those interested in delving deeper into his insights, you can check out the complete interview in the November issue of Hospitality News, available on our website.


Redefining Luxury Through Authentic Hospitality

Redefining Luxury Through Authentic Hospitality

Anand Nair

Published on July 1, 2026

Luxury hospitality continues to evolve, and the most successful destinations are those that seamlessly blend innovation with authenticity. In the latest edition of Hospitality News, we bring you an exclusive conversation with Anand Nair, General Manager of InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, who shares the vision, leadership, and guest-centric philosophy that have shaped one of the region's most distinguished luxury resorts.

Since taking over the leadership of the property, Anand Nair has guided the resort through a remarkable transformation, redefining luxury while preserving the cultural heritage and coastal charm of Mahabalipuram. In this engaging feature, he offers valuable insights into how thoughtful innovation, personalised hospitality, and meaningful guest experiences continue to elevate the resort's reputation.

The conversation explores the inspiration behind the property's comprehensive reimagination, highlighting how refreshed accommodations, redesigned public spaces, enhanced dining venues, and curated recreational experiences have created a destination that resonates with today's discerning travellers. Readers will also gain a deeper understanding of how every aspect of the guest journey has been carefully designed to deliver memorable moments through personalised service and exceptional hospitality.

Anand Nair further discusses the resort's diverse offerings, from grand celebrations at the Vaibhava Ballroom and picturesque Beach Lawns to its distinctive culinary destinations, each delivering unique experiences for guests. He also shares how the resort celebrates Mahabalipuram's rich cultural and coastal identity while complementing Chennai's growing stature as a leading business and leisure destination.

Another compelling aspect of the discussion focuses on the future of hospitality, where authenticity, sustainability, wellness, and innovation are becoming increasingly important. Anand Nair also reflects on his personal philosophy of hospitality, explaining why making every guest feel genuinely valued remains the foundation of exceptional service.

This exclusive feature offers hospitality professionals, industry leaders, and travel enthusiasts an opportunity to discover the vision behind a resort that continues to redefine luxury through meaningful experiences and heartfelt service.

It was a truly insightful conversation with Anand Nair, whose perspectives highlight the evolving future of luxury hospitality and guest experiences. To read the complete interview and explore every valuable insight shared during this engaging discussion, visit the Hospitality News July Magazine on our website or grab your physical copy of the magazine.


Leadership, Luxury & Lasting Experiences at Hyatt Regency Thrissur

Leadership, Luxury & Lasting Experiences at Hyatt Regency Thrissur

Vinod Kumar

Published on July 1, 2026

Every successful hotel has a story, and behind every remarkable guest experience is a leader who understands that hospitality is built on people, passion, and purpose. In the latest edition of Hospitality News, we had the privilege of featuring Vinod Kumar, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Thrissur, in an insightful conversation that explores the principles driving one of Kerala's leading luxury hospitality destinations.

With years of experience across diverse hotel markets, Vinod Kumar shares how resilience, trust, and empowering teams have shaped his leadership philosophy. Throughout the conversation, he offers valuable perspectives on what it takes to create memorable guest experiences in an increasingly competitive hospitality landscape.

The interview goes beyond leadership to uncover how Hyatt Regency Thrissur continues to distinguish itself through personalized service, authentic Kerala experiences, culinary excellence, and an unwavering commitment to exceeding guest expectations. Readers will also discover his views on the growing opportunities for premium hotels in tier-2 cities, the rising demand for destination weddings, and why cultural destinations like Thrissur are becoming increasingly attractive to both leisure and business travellers.

One of the most engaging parts of the discussion revolves around balancing technology with genuine human connection. Vinod Kumar explains how innovation should complement, not replace the warmth and personalized interactions that define exceptional hospitality. He also addresses the industry's evolving challenges, including changing guest expectations, talent retention, sustainability, operational efficiency, and the importance of continuous innovation.

The conversation further highlights what makes Hyatt Regency Thrissur a preferred venue for grand destination weddings, showcasing its expansive event spaces, personalized celebrations, curated culinary experiences, and dedicated planning expertise that transform every occasion into an unforgettable celebration.

This exclusive feature offers hospitality professionals, industry leaders, aspiring hoteliers, and travel enthusiasts an opportunity to gain meaningful insights from a seasoned leader who continues to shape guest experiences with vision and excellence.

It was truly a pleasure speaking with Vinod Kumar and learning about the strategies, values, and experiences that continue to strengthen Hyatt Regency Thrissur's position in the hospitality industry. To read the complete interview and explore every insight shared during this engaging conversation, visit the Hospitality News July Magazine on our website or grab your physical copy of the magazine.


Building India's Next Chapter in Asset-Led Hospitality: The BHVL Way

Building India's Next Chapter in Asset-Led Hospitality: The BHVL Way

Rayan Aranha

Published on July 1, 2026

As India's hospitality sector enters a new phase of growth, success is increasingly being driven by visionary leadership, strategic investments, and a long-term approach to asset creation. In the latest edition of Hospitality News, we feature an exclusive conversation with Rayan Aranha, Vice President of Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited (BHVL), who shares valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of India's branded hospitality landscape and the company's vision for sustainable growth.

With an impressive career spanning renowned hospitality brands and extensive expertise in operations, financial planning, and hotel asset management, Rayan Aranha offers readers a comprehensive perspective on how the industry is transforming beyond traditional hotel operations. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on his leadership journey, highlighting how the transition from managing hotels to building a scalable hospitality platform has shaped his strategic outlook.

The interview explores the importance of organisational culture in creating consistent guest experiences while empowering teams across diverse hotel portfolios. Rayan also explains how BHVL differentiates itself through a disciplined owner-led approach, strong partnerships with leading global hospitality brands, and a clear focus on long-term asset value rather than short-term expansion.

Readers will also discover his views on the growing role of technology in enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and enabling more personalised hospitality. Equally compelling is his discussion on the financial metrics that drive decision-making, including revenue optimisation, profitability, operational discipline, and sustainable performance across the company's expanding portfolio.

The conversation further examines the increasing convergence between real estate and hospitality, revealing how integrated developments are creating new opportunities for the sector. Rayan also shares BHVL's roadmap for future expansion, outlining the company's plans to strengthen its presence across South India while exploring emerging Tier-II markets through a disciplined mix of greenfield and brownfield developments.

This exclusive feature offers hospitality professionals, investors, hotel owners, and business leaders an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the strategic thinking behind one of India's leading hospitality asset owners and developers.

It was a truly enriching conversation with Rayan Aranha, whose perspectives provide a deeper understanding of the evolving hospitality landscape and the future of asset-led growth in India. To read the complete interview and explore every insight shared during this engaging discussion, visit the Hospitality News July Magazine on our website or grab your physical copy of the magazine.