Exclusive Interview | Hospitality with Heart: A Senior General Manager's Commitment to Employee and Guest Well-being

Admin

Published on October 1, 2023

In this exclusive interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with Rakesh Parameswaran, Senior General Manager of The Residency Towers, Chennai, where he provides valuable insights into his impressive career journey and his pivotal role at The Residency Towers.

Currently serving as the Senior General Manager of The Residency Towers, Chennai, since March 2020, Rakesh Parameswaran has demonstrated his leadership abilities over three years and seven months in this position. Prior to this, he served as the General Manager of The Residency, Chennai, for nearly three years, where he showcased his proficiency in hotel management. His extensive experience includes a notable stint as the General Manager of The Raviz Ashtamudi Resort & Spa at Raviz Hotels and Resorts. Rakesh has also contributed significantly to The Residency Hotels as the General Manager of Brands for three years and five months. His career includes roles at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, Le Meridien (Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc) Bangalore, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, and The Leela Palaces & Resorts. With a strong background in front office management and resort leadership, Rakesh Parameswaran is a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry.

What are your key responsibilities as the Senior General Manager of the hotel, and how do you prioritize them?

My top priority as Senior General Manager is to ensure that every guest has a memorable experience, whether they are checking in, using the restaurant, or attending a banquet. To achieve this, I focus on developing my team and building strong leaders. I also create a positive and fun work environment for my staff, so they can do their best. Additionally, I am responsible for strategizing the hotel's revenue and expense management, as well as overseeing its social media initiatives.

The hotel is divided into eleven departments, including front office, housekeeping, food and beverage services, food and beverage production, finance, and IT services. I oversee the operations of all of these departments to ensure the smooth running of the hotel.

What strategies do you employ to create a positive and inclusive work culture for your staff and to encourage professional growth within your team?

“Hospitality with Heart” is our brand principle, and Caring, Anticipating, Inspiring, and Evolving are our brand values. These values emphasize how we treat our associates within the company.

From the moment a new employee joins our team, we invest in their success. We provide five days of paid onboarding, as well as support for sports, academics, and financial needs. We also offer paternity and maternity leave, and bereavement support. Additionally, our buddy system pairs new employees with experienced mentors who help them adjust and learn.

Can you describe any recent successful initiatives or improvements you've implemented at The Residency Towers to enhance the guest experience?

We have recently opened our renovated rooftop restaurant called The Sky, a beautiful restaurant with an aqua terrace and a sea-side terrace. In the center is our premium bar, Dome.

We provide curated dining experiences, focusing on Oriental, Japanese, and Indian cuisine. Our delectable menu has been curated by our own chef. The ambience is great and the restaurant is a big hit among the crowd. We have also recently been awarded the Times Now Food Award for the restaurant. It is good to see that certain processes and research we did is working out well and our guests are liking it and appreciating it.

We also recently opened the club floor, which offers executive assistance for guests, similar to a butler operations program. We have boys and girls from hotel schools who joined us for this program. These assistants take care of the guests completely, right from check in to check out. This program has also received good reception from our guests.

Can you share any examples of unique guest experiences or memorable events hosted at The Residency Towers?

Events are an integral part of any hotel, but what makes them truly exciting are the families who want to surprise their loved ones. We are always happy to help our guests plan surprises, and we recently had the pleasure of hosting a 25th wedding anniversary celebration for a couple who were completely unaware of what was in store for them. The couple's children came to the hotel and planned everything in secret. They even went home as if nothing had happened, so their parents wouldn't suspect anything. We then picked the couple up from their residence and threw them a surprise party at the hotel. The little details of the evening were truly special, and it was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into planning the celebration. We were honored to be a part of this special occasion, and we were thrilled to see how happy the couple was. On another occasion, we had the pleasure of hosting a completely vegan wedding for 300 people. This was a challenging task, but we were excited to rise to the occasion. We worked with the couple to create a custom menu that featured delicious and creative vegan dishes. We also served tea and coffee with almond milk, which was a big hit with the guests. We are always looking for new ways to challenge ourselves and to provide our guests with unique and memorable experiences. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with families and couples to create special events that they will cherish for years to come.

In a diverse and dynamic city like Chennai, how do you tailor the hotel's offerings and services to meet the needs of a broad range of guests?

When showcasing Chennai to guests, we first consider their expectations and then develop a menu, room designs, and experiences that will exceed them. For example, we serve coffee the way it is traditionally served in Chennai, by pouring the hot beverage between two glasses from great heights until the heat subsides. This seemingly small gesture infuses the Chennai culture into the guest experience, making it more authentic and memorable.

Are there any mentors or role models who have had a significant influence on your career or leadership style? If so, can you tell us about them?

The hotel industry provides the unique opportunity to meet leaders from all walks of life. I have been humbled by the opportunity to meet Mr. Abdul Kalam, whose demeanor and leadership have had a profound impact on me. Other industry leaders who have inspired me include Mr. Prabath Varma of the Taj Group of Hotels, Mr. Kush Kapoor of the Roseate Group of Hotels, Mr. Vijay Mohan of Club Mahindra, and Mr. Vijay Golrahalli. Each of these individuals has taught me valuable lessons about leadership and service excellence.

What do you find most rewarding about being the Senior General Manager of The Residency Towers?

As a Senior General Manager, I have the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life, each with their own unique requests and aspirations. Whether it's a corporate event, a wedding, a social function, or a romantic candlelit dinner, we are here to help our guests create memorable experiences. It is immensely satisfying to see the smiles on their faces when we deliver on our promises and exceed their expectations. Another rewarding aspect of my role is developing the next generation of leaders within my hotel. I find it both humbling and inspiring to mentor and coach my team members, helping them to reach their full potential.

This interview is exclusively published on Hospitalitynews.in.

Crafting Destinations with Character: Ramit Sethi on Redefining Boutique Hospitality

Ramit Sethi

Published on August 1, 2026

Boutique hospitality is steadily redefining the way travellers experience destinations, placing greater emphasis on authenticity, meaningful connections, and memorable stays. Among the brands leading this shift is Seclude Hotels, known for transforming unique homes into immersive hospitality experiences that celebrate heritage, local culture, and personalised service.

In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, Ramit Sethi, Co-founder and Director of Seclude Hotels, shares the vision that has shaped the brand's remarkable journey. From the inspiration behind the successful Creators Club initiative to Seclude's commitment to responsible tourism, Sethi discusses how the company continues to build experiences that extend far beyond accommodation.

The conversation also explores Seclude's role in strengthening local tourism ecosystems by creating employment opportunities, collaborating with surrounding communities, and encouraging travellers to discover offbeat destinations through authentic experiences. Drawing from his corporate leadership background and entrepreneurial journey, Sethi reflects on the guest-first philosophy rooted in seva bhav that continues to guide every decision at Seclude.

Readers will also discover how the brand's carefully curated 'Rent Your Home' model helps preserve the individuality of every property while ensuring consistent quality and personalised hospitality. In addition, Sethi shares Seclude's long-term vision for purposeful expansion, explaining why the company prioritises destinations with heritage, character, and unique stories over rapid growth. The discussion further highlights why Seclude's boutique properties have become preferred venues for intimate weddings, milestone celebrations, anniversaries, and family reunions, where every occasion becomes part of a memorable story.

Packed with insights on boutique hospitality, destination development, experiential travel, creator-led marketing, and evolving guest expectations, this exclusive feature offers an engaging perspective on one of India's most distinctive hospitality brands.

It was a truly insightful conversation with Ramit Sethi, offering valuable perspectives on the future of experiential hospitality and destination-led travel. To read the complete exclusive interview, pick up the August edition of Hospitality News magazine or visit our website to explore the full feature.

Exclusive Feature: Sanjeev Kumar FIH on Building the Future of Hospitality with HOSPI Sigma™

Sanjeev Kumar FIH

Published on August 1, 2026

As India's hospitality industry accelerates into a new era of growth, conversations around talent, operational excellence, and future-ready leadership have never been more important. While the sector continues to expand with strong government support and increasing investment, one question remains at the heart of its success, how can hospitality professionals be better prepared for the realities of modern hotel operations?

In this exclusive feature for Hospitality News August Magazine, we had the opportunity to engage with Sanjeev Kumar FIH, Founder of HOSPI Sigma™, whose decades of leadership across some of the world's most respected hotel brands have shaped a unique perspective on hospitality capability and operational excellence.

Drawing from over 30 years of experience spanning Taj Hotels, ITC Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (now Marriott International), Premier Inn, and international leadership assignments, Kumar shares the journey that led to the creation of the world's first Unified Lean Six Sigma-based capability framework designed exclusively for hospitality. His insights go beyond conventional training, exploring how structured thinking, operational discipline, and decision-making under pressure can transform hospitality professionals at every stage of their careers.

The feature also explores the industry's widening skills gap, the growing importance of capability-based learning, HOSPI Sigma™'s expanding collaborations with hospitality institutes and hotel groups, and how the framework aligns with India's ambitious vision for hospitality education and workforce development.

Adding further depth to the conversation, the leadership team behind HOSPI Sigma™ discusses the importance of globally recognised professional development, stronger academia-industry collaboration, inclusive talent development, and building an ecosystem that prepares professionals for long-term success.

Rather than revealing every insight here, this feature offers only a glimpse into a conversation that examines where hospitality education stands today and where it must go next. From operational challenges to leadership philosophy, and from structured capability development to the future of hospitality talent, the discussion presents valuable perspectives for hotel leaders, educators, students, and industry professionals alike.

It was a privilege to engage in such a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation with Sanjeev Kumar FIH and the HOSPI Sigma™ leadership team. To explore the complete feature and gain deeper insights into their vision for transforming hospitality capability, read the full interview in the Hospitality News August Magazine, available on our website, or experience it in the print edition by getting your physical copy.

Exclusive Conversation with Rahul Makhija: Leading Hospitality Through People, Purpose, and Innovation

Rahul Makhija

Published on August 1, 2026

With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Rahul Makhija, General Manager at Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited, has consistently championed a guest-first philosophy while leading The Park Navi Mumbai with a vision rooted in innovation, service excellence, and meaningful hospitality.

In an exclusive featured conversation with Hospitality News, Rahul Makhija shares valuable insights drawn from his extensive leadership journey, offering readers a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics shaping India's hospitality landscape. From building resilient hospitality businesses and creating personalised guest experiences to navigating global uncertainties, embracing sustainability, and responding to changing food, beverage, and nightlife trends, the conversation explores the priorities that define modern hotel leadership.

The interview also highlights how The Park Navi Mumbai continues to strengthen its presence as Navi Mumbai evolves into one of India's fastest-growing business and infrastructure destinations. Rahul Makhija discusses the hotel's role in supporting this transformation through world-class hospitality, talent development, community engagement, and experiences that reflect the brand's distinctive lifestyle philosophy.

Readers will also discover his perspectives on balancing innovation with operational excellence, understanding changing guest expectations, leveraging technology without compromising the human touch, and creating long-term value for guests, employees, partners, and stakeholders alike. His thoughtful responses offer meaningful takeaways for hospitality professionals, industry leaders, aspiring hoteliers, and business enthusiasts seeking to understand the future direction of the sector.

Whether it is adapting to global market conditions, delivering memorable guest journeys, or building a more responsible and sustainable future, every response reflects a leadership approach centred on trust, consistency, and continuous evolution. The conversation offers practical insights into how hospitality brands can remain relevant while staying true to their identity in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

It was truly a meaningful and insightful conversation with Rahul Makhija, whose perspectives reinforce the importance of people, purpose, and innovation in shaping exceptional hospitality experiences.

To read the complete exclusive interview, explore the Hospitality News August Magazine on our website or grab your physical copy and discover the full conversation along with many more inspiring stories, industry insights, and exclusive features from the world of hospitality.