Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla Welcomes Ritesh Sharma as General Manager

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla Welcomes Ritesh Sharma as General Manager

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 15, 2024

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla has announced the appointment of Ritesh Sharma as its new General Manager. With over 23 years of experience in hospitality management, Mr. Sharma is recognized for his strategic leadership and expertise in enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiencies, and fostering strong team engagement. This new role marks a homecoming for Mr. Sharma, who previously served as Director of Rooms at the same property, where he played a key role in improving employee engagement and driving operational success.

Prior to rejoining Crowne Plaza, Mr. Sharma successfully led the pre-opening efforts at Holiday Inn Katra Vaishno Devi. Under his leadership, the property quickly achieved a top ranking on TripAdvisor, establishing itself as a preferred choice for travelers. Mr. Sharma also held the position of General Manager at Holiday Inn Express New Delhi International Airport T3, where he was instrumental in achieving multiple awards for operational excellence and high guest satisfaction scores. These accomplishments underscore his dedication to providing quality service and creating a positive impact within the industry.

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In his new role, Mr. Sharma aims to build upon the Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla’s reputation for excellence. “I am thrilled to be back at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla,” he shared. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to deliver memorable guest experiences and to drive growth and innovation. Together, we’ll continue to uphold the exceptional service standards and brand values that Crowne Plaza is known for.”

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla, part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, is strategically located in South Delhi, close to major business districts and iconic landmarks. Situated approximately 21 kilometers from Indira Gandhi International Airport, the property offers easy access to prominent business hubs, including Okhla Industrial Estate, Jasola, Noida, and Nehru Place. Additionally, its proximity to famous attractions like the Lotus Temple, Red Fort, and Qutab Minar makes it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers.

Known for its commitment to integrated hospitality, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla provides a blend of comfort and sophistication tailored to the needs of today’s travelers. With Mr. Sharma’s return, the property is poised to further enhance its offerings and continue delivering top-tier experiences for its guests.


Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Announces Key Leadership Appointments

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Announces Key Leadership Appointments

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 12, 2026

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Yogesh Sharma as Executive Housekeeper and Shailesh Kaushik as Learning & Development Manager. The appointments reflect the hotel’s continued focus on operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and employee growth.

Yogesh Sharma joins the property with more than 17 years of experience in housekeeping and hospitality operations. He began his career as a Housekeeping Associate at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata, and has since worked with several leading hospitality brands including Trident Bandra Kurla, Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Taj Group of Hotels.

Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Yogesh served as Executive Housekeeper at Le Méridien Kochi, where he played a key role in improving guest satisfaction, streamlining departmental operations, and leading large housekeeping teams. He is also recognised for his expertise in pre-opening operations, having successfully established housekeeping systems and processes for multiple hotel properties.

Speaking on the appointment, Sharad K Upadhyay, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, said, “Yogesh's proven track record and leadership in housekeeping will be invaluable as we continue to uphold Crowne Plaza Greater Noida's high standards of guest service and operational excellence.”

The hotel has also welcomed Shailesh Kaushik as Learning & Development Manager. With over eight years of specialised experience in employee training and capability building, Shailesh brings strong expertise in organisational learning and team development.

Prior to this role, he was associated with Baskin Robbins India, where he led Learning & Development initiatives for more than 330 stores across North India. His work focused on improving employee engagement, operational efficiency, and service standards.

Shailesh has also worked with Cinepolis India Pvt. Ltd. as Regional Trainer – South India and with Cafe Coffee Day, contributing to leadership training, talent development, and process improvement initiatives. He is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Jaipur, and holds certifications in Food Safety (FOSTAC) and Soft Skills Training.

Commenting on his appointment, Sharad K Upadhyay added, “Shailesh's passion for building high-performing teams and enhancing learning culture will strengthen our organizational capabilities and further elevate the guest experience.”

With these strategic appointments, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while investing in operational and people-focused growth.


Four Seasons Bali Appoints Nicolas Laufrais as Senior Director of Commercial

Four Seasons Bali Appoints Nicolas Laufrais as Senior Director of Commercial

By Hariharan U

Published on May 12, 2026

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan have announced the appointment of Nicolas Laufrais as Senior Director of Commercial, overseeing both properties under a unified strategic leadership structure.

With over 15 years of international experience across sales, marketing, and revenue management, Laufrais brings a strong combination of analytical capability and creative commercial thinking. His appointment is aimed at driving long-term, sustainable growth while strengthening the global positioning of both resorts.

Most recently, Laufrais spent two years in Bali leading the commercial positioning and launch strategy at Regent Bali Canggu, gaining deep insight into the island’s evolving luxury hospitality landscape.

Prior to that, he served as Head of Commercial at InterContinental Cascais-Estoril, where he focused on strengthening luxury partnerships and lifestyle positioning in a competitive European market. Earlier in his career, he held the role of Director of Sales and Marketing at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, further building his expertise in ultra-luxury resort operations and global luxury demand generation.

In his new role, Laufrais will oversee commercial strategy across both Bali properties, integrating sales, marketing, and revenue management functions while ensuring each resort retains its distinct identity and sense of place.

Speaking about his appointment, he said, “Luxury travel today is about emotional resonance. These resorts offer distinctive experiences in two remarkable settings. My focus is to strengthen global positioning while ensuring each initiative reflects the authenticity, heritage, and sense of connection that define them.”

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, set along the Ayung River, is known for its serene jungle landscape and spiritual design influences, while Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay offers a beachfront experience rooted in Balinese coastal culture and relaxed living.

Laufrais will be responsible for aligning commercial planning across both resorts, ensuring a cohesive strategy that respects their individual character while leveraging their shared brand strength in the global luxury market.


voco Goa Arpora Appoints Vivek Sharma as Food & Beverage Manager

voco Goa Arpora Appoints Vivek Sharma as Food & Beverage Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on May 12, 2026

voco Goa Arpora has announced the appointment of Vivek Sharma as its new Food & Beverage Manager, further strengthening its leadership team within the F&B division.

With over 11 years of experience in food and beverage operations, Vivek Sharma brings a strong background in hospitality excellence, having worked with leading global and luxury hotel brands including Taj Hotels, The Oberoi Group, Five Palm Jumeirah, The Postcard Hotel, Marriott International, and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Throughout his career, Vivek has been recognised for his strong operational expertise, guest-centric approach, and ability to build and lead high-performing teams. He has consistently focused on enhancing guest experiences while driving operational efficiency and service excellence across diverse hospitality environments.

Known for his people-first leadership style, Vivek believes in empowering teams through coaching, mentoring, and continuous development. His approach fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation, enabling teams to consistently exceed guest expectations in dynamic service environments.

Beyond his professional commitments, Vivek enjoys travelling and playing chess, reflecting his strategic thinking and balanced personality.

At voco Goa Arpora, his appointment is expected to further elevate the hotel’s food and beverage offerings and enhance overall guest satisfaction through refined service standards and innovative dining experiences.

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