Arun Paliwal Returns to IHG as Area Director of HR for South West Asia and Director of HR at Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar

Arun Paliwal Returns to IHG as Area Director of HR for South West Asia and Director of HR at Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar has announced the appointment of Arun Paliwal as Area Director of Human Resources for IHG South West Asia and Director of Human Resources at the hotel. With a career spanning over 17 years in the hospitality industry, Arun brings a depth of experience and leadership that aligns perfectly with IHG’s people-first philosophy.

Arun has held several key HR roles across leading hospitality brands. Prior to this, he served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Leisure Hotels Group, where he managed HR strategies for a wide hotel portfolio. His professional journey also includes tenures at Vana Wellness Retreat, Dehradun (now Six Senses Vana under IHG), Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad, Holiday Inn Amritsar, Lemon Tree Premier and Red Fox Delhi, Lemon Tree Premier Hyderabad, Trident Udaipur, and The Oberoi Udaivilas.

This marks Arun’s second stint with IHG, and in his new role, he will lead HR strategy for IHG hotels across North India. Known for his strategic vision and people-centric approach, Arun aims to foster a culture of inclusivity, performance, and professional growth while ensuring IHG’s global values are seamlessly woven into every property.

Arun Paliwal shared, “I am privileged to return to IHG, a company whose values and commitment to associate development resonate deeply with me. IHG’s culture of Room to Be Yourself provides a platform for personal and professional growth, and I am excited to leverage my experience to contribute to the success of our teams across South West Asia.”

image

Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager, IHG South West Asia and General Manager, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar, added, “We are thrilled to welcome Arun back to IHG and Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar. His extensive experience and dynamic leadership style are a perfect fit for the challenges ahead. Arun’s deep understanding of human resources management and his ability to drive a culture of engagement and high performance will be key in helping our teams achieve their full potential.”

Arun holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Udaipur, a PG Diploma in Sales & Marketing from Vidyapeeth University, and an MBA from ICFAI National College. Outside of work, he is passionate about singing and adventure rides, embodying a well-rounded and balanced lifestyle.


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.

image

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.

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.