Exclusive: Alisha Chitalwala on Crafting Luxury & Inclusivity in Hospitality Design

Exclusive: Alisha Chitalwala on Crafting Luxury & Inclusivity in Hospitality Design

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 8, 2025

Great hospitality design goes beyond aesthetics—it creates experiences that stay with guests long after they’ve left. For Alisha Chitalwala, Associate Designer at Designers Group, the focus is on crafting spaces that seamlessly blend comfort, functionality, and brand identity.

“My role revolves around ensuring each project exudes a distinct character, setting the property apart with its unique charm,” she shares. From conceptualization to execution, every detail is carefully curated to enhance the guest experience, making hospitality spaces more than just places to stay—they become destinations in themselves.

A Commitment to Sustainable Luxury

Sustainability is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. Designers Group has been at the forefront of integrating eco-conscious practices into hospitality design without compromising on luxury. “We believe in delivering luxury through a thoughtful, sustainable approach,” Alisha explains. “By prioritizing environmentally conscious practices, we contribute meaningfully to the evolution of the design industry.”

With travelers increasingly valuing responsible tourism, hotels and resorts are now looking at design as a way to minimize their environmental footprint while maintaining high-end appeal. This shift is shaping the next generation of hospitality spaces—ones that are both indulgent and environmentally responsible.

Innovation & The Role of AI in Hospitality Design

Technology is revolutionizing the way designers conceptualize and execute spaces, and AI is leading the charge. “The future of design is being reshaped by AI-driven solutions, offering boundless opportunities to push creative boundaries,” Alisha shares.

From AI-assisted space planning to immersive 3D visualizations, technology is making it easier to create more precise, functional, and engaging hospitality interiors. This not only enhances efficiency but also allows for greater customization, ensuring every space meets the evolving expectations of modern travelers.

Fostering Inclusivity & Women in Design

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The design industry has long been a space where creativity thrives, and at Designers Group, gender is never a barrier to success. “Creativity knows no gender,” Alisha states. “We champion equal opportunities and take immense pride in having a significant number of female professionals who bring innovation, passion, and excellence to every project.”

As more women step into leadership roles, the industry is witnessing a positive shift towards inclusivity and representation. By fostering talent without bias, hospitality design continues to evolve as a field where fresh perspectives and diverse voices shape the future.

A Vision for the Future

The hospitality industry is embracing change, with sustainability, adaptive reuse, and immersive experiences leading the way. Looking ahead, Alisha envisions smart, responsive spaces that elevate guest interactions while prioritizing eco-conscious luxury. “Opportunities lie in redefining hospitality through a forward-thinking approach,” she says.

As hospitality design continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity will be at the heart of the industry’s transformation.

A Message for Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, Alisha shares an empowering message:
“We are empowered women shaping the world, and our strength multiplies when we uplift and support one another. Together, we create, inspire, and lead with unwavering confidence.”

A fitting reminder that when women support each other, the industry—and the world—flourishes.


Park Hyatt Chennai Appoints Vishwesh Ramesh as Director of Food & Beverage

Park Hyatt Chennai Appoints Vishwesh Ramesh as Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on June 29, 2026

Park Hyatt Chennai has announced the appointment of Vishwesh Ramesh as its new Director of Food & Beverage, reinforcing the hotel’s focus on elevating guest experiences and strengthening its culinary operations.

In his new role, Vishwesh will oversee the hotel’s entire food and beverage division, with responsibilities spanning concept development, operational excellence, guest experience enhancement, and revenue optimisation across dining outlets.

He joins Park Hyatt Chennai with over 11 years of experience in luxury hospitality, having worked with globally recognised brands including JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, and Taj Mahal Palace. Known for his strong commercial acumen and operational discipline, he has built a reputation for creating impactful dining concepts and driving performance-led F&B strategies.

Prior to this appointment, Vishwesh played a key leadership role at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, where he led the pre-opening and positioning of the property’s F&B operations. Under his leadership, the resort developed a diverse portfolio of seven dining outlets while achieving strong financial results and consistently high guest satisfaction scores.

Speaking on the appointment, the leadership team at Park Hyatt Chennai said Vishwesh’s experience and innovative approach will be instrumental in strengthening the hotel’s food and beverage strategy and further enhancing guest engagement across all dining experiences.

Earlier in his career, he held key positions at Mulberry Shades, A Tribute Portfolio Resort and The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, where he contributed to the introduction of premium dining concepts and new revenue streams aligned with evolving market expectations.

Commenting on his new role, Vishwesh Ramesh said he is honoured to join Park Hyatt Chennai and looks forward to contributing to the hotel’s continued success by creating memorable dining experiences and building high-performing teams.

His appointment comes as Park Hyatt Chennai continues to strengthen its position in the city’s luxury hospitality landscape, responding to growing demand from both business and leisure travellers.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of March 31, 2026, the company’s portfolio includes more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties across 83 countries on six continents.

About Park Hyatt Chennai

Located in the heart of the city, Park Hyatt Chennai offers a refined blend of contemporary luxury and understated elegance overlooking Guindy National Park. The hotel features 200 guestrooms and suites, award-winning dining venues including Park Brasserie, The Flying Elephant Bar, and Mr. Ong – The Flavours of Singapore, along with a spa, rooftop infinity pool, and state-of-the-art event spaces.


Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Properties Appoint Vikrant Dhingra as Cluster Director of Revenue

Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Properties Appoint Vikrant Dhingra as Cluster Director of Revenue

By Hariharan U

Published on June 29, 2026

Hilton has announced the appointment of Vikrant Dhingra as Cluster Director of Revenue for its Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park and Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Tech Village properties.

In his new role, Vikrant will be responsible for overseeing revenue strategy, pricing, distribution, and demand generation across both hotel assets. His mandate includes driving commercial performance, strengthening market positioning, and ensuring sustained revenue growth across segments.

Vikrant brings over a decade of experience in hospitality revenue management, having worked with leading international and domestic hotel brands across multiple markets. Prior to joining Hilton, he held senior revenue leadership roles at Grand Hyatt Amman in Jordan and ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo, where he contributed to significant improvements in RevPAR, market share, and overall revenue performance.

His career also includes key revenue management roles with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, ITC Hotels, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Lemon Tree Hotels, where he built expertise in yield optimisation, pricing strategy, and total revenue management across diverse hospitality environments.

Speaking on his appointment, Vikrant Dhingra said he is excited to join Hilton and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of the Bengaluru properties. He emphasised his focus on building innovative revenue strategies and driving long-term business value in collaboration with the hotel teams.

Sujeet Kumar, General Manager of Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, welcomed the appointment, noting that Vikrant’s strong commercial expertise and proven track record will play a key role in strengthening market position and supporting continued growth across both hotels.

The appointment reinforces Hilton’s focus on strengthening its commercial leadership structure in India as it continues to expand and optimise performance across key business destinations.

About Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park

Hilton is a global hospitality company with a portfolio of 27 brands and more than 9,200 properties across 144 countries and territories. The Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park properties were launched in 2022 and feature one of South India’s largest hotel convention spaces, spanning approximately 60,000 square feet. Strategically located near the airport and Manyata Business Park, the hotels are positioned to serve both business and MICE demand in Bengaluru


Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arun Daga as General Manager of Kaziranga Property

Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Arun Daga as General Manager of Kaziranga Property

By Hariharan U

Published on June 27, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Arun Daga as the General Manager of Summit Green Village Resort & Spa, Kaziranga, strengthening its leadership presence in one of Northeast India’s key wildlife tourism destinations.

In his new role, Arun Daga will be responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the resort, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the property’s positioning within the growing tourism ecosystem of Kaziranga.

Arun Daga brings nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality industry. A graduate of the University of Calcutta with a qualification in Hotel Management from BILAMS, he has built extensive expertise across hotel operations, guest services, team leadership, and property management over the course of his career.

Prior to this appointment, he held several leadership roles across hospitality establishments, where he contributed to operational improvements and service delivery enhancements across diverse markets.

Speaking on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka, CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts, said Arun Daga brings valuable operational experience and a strong understanding of hospitality, and expressed confidence that his leadership will further strengthen both guest experience and operational performance at the Kaziranga property.

The appointment comes as Summit Hotels & Resorts continues to expand and strengthen its footprint across Northeast India, focusing on destination-driven hospitality experiences in emerging tourism markets.

About Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality group with a growing portfolio across India, with a strong presence in the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast region. The brand focuses on destination-led hospitality experiences across leisure, nature, and wildlife-driven locations.

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