Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Appoints Vani Cariappa as General Manager

Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Appoints Vani Cariappa as General Manager

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 2, 2024

Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road is pleased to announce the appointment of Vani Cariappa as its new General Manager. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, Cariappa brings a wealth of experience and expertise in hospitality operations, sales, and marketing.

In her new role, Cariappa will helm the operations and management of Aloft Bengaluru ORR, focusing on creating unique guest experiences, driving market growth, and ensuring profitability. She will also play a pivotal role in elevating the brand’s positioning as a vibrant hub of innovation and excellence, aligned with Aloft ORR’s commitment to service, inclusivity, and innovation.

Throughout her illustrious career, Cariappa has been celebrated for her sharp business acumen, strategic execution, and operational expertise. Starting her journey at Le Méridien Bengaluru in the front office, she transitioned into sales and marketing, showcasing her passion for growth and learning. Since 2005, Cariappa has thrived in various sales and marketing roles at Marriott International’s Global and National Sales Offices, earning numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions.

A visionary leader, Cariappa’s leadership roles have centered on driving sales and operations, with revenue generation becoming her forte. In her previous role as Hotel Manager at Four Points by Sheraton, Visakhapatnam, she successfully managed the 123-key property, earning recognition for her strategic leadership that enhanced operational excellence, guest engagement, and team development.

image

Cariappa is known for her ability to create and lead top-tier teams, achieving remarkable success in every role she has undertaken. Her empathetic leadership style fosters professional growth within her team, reflecting her commitment to developing talent.

In addition to her professional achievements, Cariappa holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Mangalore University. Outside of work, she is a certified yoga teacher, an art and fitness enthusiast, and loves discovering new travel destinations. Above all, she cherishes the time spent with her family.

With her wealth of experience and strategic vision, Vani Cariappa is set to guide Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road to new heights of excellence and innovation.


ibis Styles Mysuru Appoints Zenith U as Operations Manager

ibis Styles Mysuru Appoints Zenith U as Operations Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 13, 2026

ibis Styles Mysuru has announced the appointment of Zenith U as its new Operations Manager. With more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings extensive knowledge in operations management, guest experience enhancement, and team leadership across Premium, Midscale, and Economy hotel segments.

Zenith began his hospitality career over ten years ago and has since held several key roles with leading international hotel brands. Throughout his career, he has focused on improving operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of guest service.

Before joining ibis Styles Mysuru, he served as Rooms Division Manager at Grand Mercure Bangalore. In that role, he worked closely on strengthening operational processes, supporting sustainability initiatives, ensuring health and safety compliance, and continuously improving guest satisfaction. His dedication to service excellence and leadership has earned him several recognitions, including the titles of Manager of the Year and Best Personality in the Rooms category.

Zenith holds a degree in Maritime Hospitality Studies and has also completed certifications in bartending and maritime safety, adding to his diverse professional background.

Speaking about his new role, Zenith said,

“I am truly excited to begin this new chapter at ibis Styles Mysuru. I look forward to collaborating with the team to deliver seamless operations and memorable guest experiences that reflect the brand’s vibrant spirit.”

Outside of work, Zenith enjoys travelling and exploring different cultures. A fitness enthusiast, he also values staying active and spending quality time with his family. With his experience and people-focused leadership approach, ibis Styles Mysuru aims to further strengthen its operations and enhance the overall guest experience.


JW Marriott Bengaluru Appoints Chef Shubham Dhar as Sous Chef at UNO Izakaya

JW Marriott Bengaluru Appoints Chef Shubham Dhar as Sous Chef at UNO Izakaya

By Hariharan U

Published on March 12, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has added a strong culinary voice to UNO Izakaya with the appointment of Chef Shubham Dhar as Sous Chef at the hotel's acclaimed Japanese Bar and Lounge.

Chef Dhar brings over seven years of fine-dining and luxury kitchen experience to the role, a career that has taken him across India, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and through some genuinely impressive establishments along the way. His expertise sits firmly in Japanese cuisine, with particular depth in sushi, sashimi, and omakase-style cooking the kind of technical mastery that takes years to develop and is immediately felt in the quality of what lands on the plate.

His international experience is equally compelling. Most recently serving as Head Sushi Chef, Chef Dhar has been part of notable pre-opening projects including NOZOMI in Riyadh and La Mer at Sindalah Island, NEOM, Saudi Arabia two high-profile openings that demand both precision and the ability to build something from scratch. In India, his resume includes time at The Oberoi Bengaluru, ITC Gardenia, and The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, a strong set of names that reflect his standing within the industry.

Gaurav Sinha, Hotel Manager at JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, welcomed the appointment, "Chef Shubham Dhar brings exceptional technical skill and international experience to UNO Izakaya. His expertise will play a vital role in ensuring the restaurant continues to offer high-quality, authentic Japanese cuisine, reinforcing its reputation as one of Bengaluru's premier dining destinations."

In his new role, Chef Dhar will focus on menu execution, culinary consistency, and supporting the kitchen team in delivering the high standards UNO Izakaya is known for. For a restaurant that has built a loyal following among Bengaluru's Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, this is a well-timed and well-considered appointment


Utsa Majumder Appointed General Manager of OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, a Strong Start for the Brand's India Chapter

Utsa Majumder Appointed General Manager of OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, a Strong Start for the Brand's India Chapter

By Hariharan U

Published on March 12, 2026

THE OZEN COLLECTION has made a strong leadership call for its much-anticipated India debut. Utsa Majumder has been appointed General Manager of OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, the brand's newest property and its first in the country, a 181-villa luxury resort nestled in the Aravalli ranges.

It's a significant appointment, and one that reflects how seriously Atmosphere Core is approaching this launch. Utsa brings over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience across some of the most respected international brands in India. She's known for a people-centric leadership style that doesn't come at the cost of sharp operational thinking or revenue focus, a combination that's earned her recognition well beyond her own organisations.

Her accolades speak for themselves, General Manager of the Year 2024 at the Hozpitality Excellence Awards, and Leading Hospitality Icon at the World Leadership Congress Awards in 2022. But what sets her apart equally is her work beyond the corporate world. She currently serves as President of the WICCI Hospitality & Tourism Council in Himachal Pradesh and is an active mentor with the WICCI mentorship outreach programme, championing women in hospitality at a time when that advocacy genuinely matters.

Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere Core, commented on the appointment, "THE OZEN COLLECTION represents refined luxury within our portfolio, and OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR will be a remarkable addition to the brand's growing footprint. Utsa's extensive experience in high-end resorts, combined with her inspiring leadership style, makes her the ideal choice to lead this exceptional resort. We are delighted to welcome her and look forward to seeing her bring the vision of THE OZEN COLLECTION to life in Jaipur."

About the Property

OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated luxury openings in India. Spread across 20 acres of lush landscape in the Aravalli ranges, the resort will offer 181 one- and two-bedroom villas, each with a private pool. The low-rise design keeps the property feeling exclusive and peaceful, making it ideal for travellers who want genuine seclusion without sacrificing luxury.

The location works beautifully too. Sitting within India's Golden Triangle, the resort is just an hour from Jaipur International Airport, about two and a half hours from Gurgaon, and three hours from Agra, well-connected enough for destination travellers while still feeling removed from the urban rush.

For events and weddings, the property is particularly well-equipped. A 20,000 sq. ft. indoor event space, along with a selection of sophisticated outdoor venues, positions OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR as a premier destination for large Indian weddings and corporate celebrations, a segment that continues to grow strongly in Rajasthan.

With Utsa Majumder at the helm and THE OZEN COLLECTION's brand DNA behind it, this Jaipur property is one to watch closely in the months ahead.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.