Accor Appoints Amitabh Rai as COO – Luxury for South Asia

Accor Appoints Amitabh Rai as COO – Luxury for South Asia

By Hariharan U

Published on February 16, 2026

Accor has announced the appointment of Amitabh Rai as chief operating officerluxury, South Asia, strengthening its leadership team at a crucial phase of regional expansion.

In this strategic role, Rai will lead the operational and strategic direction of Accor’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio across South Asia. His mandate includes delivering distinctive guest experiences and driving sustained performance across the group’s marquee brands, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Sofitel.

With nearly three decades of hospitality experience across India and Indonesia, Rai is recognised for building empowered teams and navigating complex business environments with consistent results. He began his career with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts after graduating from The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, going on to become one of the youngest general managers of his time.

In 2018, he joined Marriott International as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore and later oversaw Marriott’s Hyderabad market. Most recently, he served as Multi-Property General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta and JW Marriott, Jakarta, further strengthening his global luxury credentials.

Commenting on the appointment, Ranju Alex, Chief Executive Officer, Accor South Asia, said, “Amitabh’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Accor’s luxury journey in South Asia. His deep operational expertise, people-first leadership style and sharp strategic lens make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our luxury and lifestyle portfolio. Amitabh has a rare ability to balance brand integrity with commercial excellence, and we are confident he will play a defining role in shaping the next phase of growth for our luxury brands in the region.”

In his new role, Rai will define and execute Accor’s long-term strategic vision for its luxury and lifestyle brands in South Asia. His focus areas include driving financial excellence, strengthening brand differentiation, and fostering a culture rooted in learning, trust, and innovation.

Speaking on his appointment, Rai said, “It is a privilege to join Accor at such an exciting moment for luxury hospitality and Accor’s expansion plans in the region. Accor’s commitment to purposeful growth, distinctive brands, and people-centric leadership strongly resonates with my own values. I look forward to working closely with our teams to craft memorable guest experiences, nurture talent and build future-ready luxury destinations that are both meaningful and sustainable.”

With this appointment, Accor signals its intent to sharpen its luxury positioning in South Asia while accelerating growth across key markets.


Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 18, 2026

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad has announced the promotion of Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef, marking an important step in his journey with the property. The move recognises his contribution to shaping the hotel’s culinary identity and his consistent focus on innovation.

Chef Suresh, who was previously serving as Chef de Cuisine, has been leading the culinary direction at Mazzo, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Over time, he has brought a fresh perspective to South Indian cuisine, presenting it in a way that connects tradition with a more contemporary style.

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A graduate of Oriental Catering College of Hotel Management, Madurai, Chef Suresh combines strong technical knowledge with a personal approach to cooking. His philosophy is built around the idea that every dish tells a story, drawing inspiration from the cultural roots of Madurai, the coastal flavours of Kerala, and his Malaysian background. This mix reflects clearly in his menus, which offer a modern take on familiar South Indian dishes.

During his time at Mazzo, he has introduced a range of curated dining experiences that have helped strengthen the restaurant’s presence in Hyderabad. From traditional Onam Sadhyas to specially designed Navratri menus featuring over 40 saatvik dishes, his work highlights both cultural authenticity and thoughtful presentation. Dishes like Venad Paal Konju, jackfruit masala wrapped in banana leaf, and his Malabar Feast have stood out for bringing together familiar flavours with a new approach.

His role has also been key in refreshing Mazzo’s overall menu, turning it into a go-to destination for modern South Indian dining. By combining regional influences with evolving culinary techniques, the restaurant continues to appeal to a wide range of guests.

Chef Suresh’s work has also been recognised at a national level, including the Chef of the Year award at the Restaurant India Awards 2026.

In his new role as Head Chef, he will lead the overall culinary operations of the property, focusing on strengthening its food and beverage offerings while continuing to highlight regional Indian cuisines through creative and engaging dining experiences.


Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida Appoints Bharat Khanna as Front Office Manager

Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida Appoints Bharat Khanna as Front Office Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on April 17, 2026

Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida has announced the appointment of Bharat Khanna as its new Front Office Manager, further strengthening its operational leadership team.

With over 15 years of experience in hospitality operations, Bharat Khanna brings deep expertise in front office management, guest services, and team leadership. His career spans leading hotel brands, including Taj Mahal New Delhi, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, and Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, where he has consistently delivered high standards of guest experience and operational excellence.

In his new role, he will oversee all front office operations, ensuring seamless guest journeys while upholding the brand’s service standards. His core competencies include guest relations, problem resolution, OTA and channel management, group bookings coordination, and business forecasting.

Known for his ability to mentor and inspire teams, Bharat has built a reputation for fostering a culture of performance and professionalism. His experience in managing VIP services, executive lounges, and high-profile guest interactions further strengthens his approach to enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty.

Commenting on the appointment, Anurag Rai said, “We are delighted to welcome Bharat to Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida. His extensive experience and passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences make him a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

Sharing his perspective, Bharat Khanna said, “I am excited to be part of Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida and look forward to contributing to the brand’s commitment to service excellence while working closely with the team to create memorable guest experiences.”

With this appointment, the hotel continues to reinforce its focus on operational excellence and guest-centric service, aligning with evolving expectations in the hospitality sector


Suba Hotels Limited Appoints Hakimuddin Kanorwala as Chief Finance Officer

Suba Hotels Limited Appoints Hakimuddin Kanorwala as Chief Finance Officer

By Hariharan U

Published on April 16, 2026

Suba Hotels Limited has announced the appointment of Hakimuddin Kanorwala as its Chief Finance Officer (CFO), strengthening its financial leadership team.

A qualified Chartered Accountant and an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, where he completed a one-year Executive CFO Programme, Kanorwala brings a strong academic and professional foundation to his new role.

With over 15 years of experience in finance and accounts, he has built deep expertise across financial planning and analysis, budgeting, treasury, taxation, compliance, risk management, governance, strategic finance, and financial reporting.

Over the course of his career, Kanorwala has been associated with leading hospitality brands such as Hilton Hotels, Accor Hotels, and The Indian Hotels Company Limited, gaining strong domain expertise across global and Indian markets.

Prior to joining Suba Hotels Limited, he served as Corporate Director – Finance at Roots Corporation Limited, which operates the Ginger Hotels brand under the IHCL Group. In this role, he was part of the key management team and oversaw the organisation’s overall financial function.

Known for his strategic approach, Kanorwala has played a pivotal role in driving financial decision-making, supporting business growth, strengthening financial planning and discipline, and enhancing governance frameworks and internal controls. He has also led process transformation initiatives through technology and automation.

With this appointment, Suba Hotels Limited continues to reinforce its leadership structure, aiming to drive financial efficiency and sustainable growth in the competitive hospitality landscape.

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