Bhagwan Balani Takes the Helm as General Manager at ITC Maratha Hotel, Mumbai

Bhagwan Balani Takes the Helm as General Manager at ITC Maratha Hotel, Mumbai

By Author

Published on October 30, 2023

In a significant development in the world of luxury hospitality, Bhagwan Balani, an industry veteran with over 28 years of experience, has been appointed as the General Manager of the prestigious ITC Maratha, Luxury Collection Hotel in Mumbai. This marks a significant milestone in both Bhagwan's career and the hotel's journey.

Over the past ten years, Bhagwan Balani has held the distinguished position of General Manager at various luxury hotels. He has left his mark on renowned establishments such as The Leela, Hyatt, and Hilton, consistently upholding the highest standards of luxury service while ensuring robust business performance.

As General Manager, Bhagwan's primary focus will be on driving revenue and maintaining ITC Maratha's reputation as a trusted Indian hospitality brand with 22 years of operational excellence. Ensuring guest satisfaction remains paramount at the ITC Maratha, Luxury Collection Hotel in Mumbai.

Bhagwan Balani's remarkable achievements have garnered well-deserved recognition. He was honored as "Mumbai's Best General Manager" by CMO Asia in July 2023, and he received the title of "Top Most Hospitality Icon as General Manager" from the World Leadership Congress & Awards in March 2022. Bhagwan has also received accolades from Hospitality Superstars, an event hosted by the World Federation of Hospitality Professionals & Stars of the Industry Group, in February 2018, February 2019, and February 2020.

Bhagwan's performance-driven approach, combined with his dedication to guest service and effective people management, led to him being named the "Best General Manager" at the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards in 2017. Under his leadership, the hotels he managed received numerous accolades at prestigious events like the Global Spa Awards, World Luxury Hotel Awards, Conde Nast Traveler Readers Travel Awards, and GeoSpa Asia Spa India Awards, to name just a few.


Rutu Panjwani Joins as Corporate Marcom Head at Renest Hotels & Resorts

Rutu Panjwani Joins as Corporate Marcom Head at Renest Hotels & Resorts

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 4, 2025

Renest Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Rutu Panjwani as its new Corporate Marketing & Communications Head. With a distinguished career spanning over 12 years, she has been instrumental in leading brand marketing and communications for some of the most recognized names in the hospitality industry, including Hilton and IHG. Her extensive experience in strategic brand positioning, corporate messaging, and digital marketing makes her a valuable addition to Renest’s leadership team.

Before joining Renest, Rutu Panjwani was associated with Phoenix Mills Ltd., where she played a crucial role in the pre-launch marketing and PR efforts for Palladium Mall in Ahmedabad. She has been at the forefront of designing comprehensive marketing strategies, media planning, and budget management, ensuring impactful brand communication and positioning.

At Renest Hotels & Resorts, her focus will be on strengthening the brand’s identity and elevating its marketing and communication strategies. She will oversee corporate communications, digital marketing initiatives, media planning, and overall brand-building efforts to enhance engagement and visibility. Her expertise in leveraging multi-channel marketing strategies and consumer insights will play a key role in expanding Renest’s footprint across India.

Renest Hotels & Resorts has established itself as a unique boutique hospitality brand, offering immersive stays in some of India’s most scenic locations. With properties in Shirdi, Tirupati, Haridwar, Manali, Jaipur, and Gandhidham, the brand has recently expanded to Mussoorie and has ambitious plans to establish a presence in Goa, Leh, and Jim Corbett. The addition of Rutu Panjwani to the leadership team is expected to enhance Renest’s brand narrative, guest experience, and market outreach.

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With her proven expertise and leadership, she is set to bring fresh perspectives to Renest’s marketing approach, ensuring that the brand continues to resonate with travelers seeking unique and nature-inspired experiences. This appointment marks another strategic step in Renest’s journey toward becoming a key player in the boutique hospitality segment.


Tenzin Phuntsok Joins Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall as Executive Chef

Tenzin Phuntsok Joins Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall as Executive Chef

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 2, 2025

Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall has announced the appointment of Tenzin Phuntsok as its executive chef. With nearly 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Phuntsok brings a wealth of culinary expertise, leadership acumen, and an unwavering passion for gastronomy.

Phuntsok has honed his craft at renowned establishments, including his most recent role as executive chef at JW Marriott Chandigarh, where he managed diverse culinary operations and achieved remarkable milestones in food quality and guest satisfaction. His previous experiences also include leadership roles at prestigious properties such as InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Swissotel Kolkata, and Taj Deccan Hyderabad.

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His culinary journey, inspired by his grandmother, spans a diverse range of cuisines and a commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences. In his new role, Phuntsok will oversee all culinary operations, curate innovative menus, enhance guest dining experiences, and uphold the highest standards of food quality and safety. His vision aligns seamlessly with the hotel’s ethos of celebrating both local and global culinary traditions.

Phuntsok holds extensive expertise in food preparation, menu development, event catering, and inventory management, coupled with strong leadership and team-building skills. His dedication to operational excellence and culinary innovation is set to elevate the gastronomic offerings at Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall.

With Phuntsok at the helm, guests can look forward to an enhanced dining experience that blends creativity, tradition, and impeccable hospitality.


Novotel Imagicaa Welcomes Tejal Hundal to Lead Front Office Operations

Novotel Imagicaa Welcomes Tejal Hundal to Lead Front Office Operations

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 31, 2025

Novotel Imagicaa is pleased to announce the appointment of Tejal Hundal as the new Front Office Manager. With a distinguished background in the hospitality industry, Tejal brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to guest relations, making her a valuable addition to the team.

A Proven Leader in Hospitality

Tejal began her journey in hospitality as part of the Management Training Program in the Front Office at Novotel Ahmedabad. She then progressed to Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach as a Duty Manager before serving as Guest Experience Manager at Novotel Mumbai International Airport. Across these roles, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and a keen focus on enhancing guest satisfaction.

A Vision for Excellence

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Expressing her enthusiasm for her new role, Tejal shared:
"I am excited to take my journey forward with Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli as the Front Office Manager. I look forward to bringing my experience in guest relations and front office operations to enhance the team's performance and elevate guest satisfaction."

Her deep-rooted experience within Accor’s ecosystem underscores her ability to adapt to dynamic hospitality environments. Under her leadership, Novotel Imagicaa aims to reinforce its reputation for delivering seamless and memorable guest experiences.

The Novotel Imagicaa family warmly welcomes Tejal and looks forward to her contributions in driving service excellence and operational efficiency.

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