Fern Hotels & Resorts Bolsters Operations Leadership with Key GM Promotions

Fern Hotels & Resorts Bolsters Operations Leadership with Key GM Promotions

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 7, 2025

The Fern Hotels & Resorts has announced significant internal promotions across its operations team, underscoring its focus on operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and sustainable growth. Arindam Bahel, Gautam Banerjee, and Rajib Das have all been elevated to general manager – operations roles, overseeing clusters of hotels within the chain’s expansive portfolio.

With over two decades in the hospitality industry, Arindam Bahel has been appointed general manager – operations and will be based at The Fern Brentwood Resort & Spa, Mussoorie. Bahel’s impressive journey spans luxury resorts and international assignments, including The Ananta Udaipur and Nepal’s Hotel Yak & Yeti, where he managed state banquets and large convention centres. Rising from his beginnings as a management trainee at The Orchid Mumbai to executive chef roles and then senior leadership, Bahel will now focus on enhancing synergy across Fern’s hill, pilgrimage, and eco-tourism properties, while nurturing talent and driving profitability.

Gautam Banerjee, whose hospitality career spans nearly 30 years, has also been promoted to general manager – operations. Starting his journey with Ras Resorts Silvassa in 1995, he has held leadership roles at Kamat Hotels, Absolute Hotels, O Hotel, and Quality Inn. Known for reviving underperforming units and driving F&B-led growth, Banerjee will oversee a cluster of hotels in Maharashtra under The Fern and Beacon brands, bringing his extensive operational acumen to the portfolio.

Rajib Das takes on the role of general manager – operations for five Fern hotels in Maharashtra. With 24 years of experience, including stints at The Park, Premier Inn, Taj Exotica, and InterContinental Goa, Das combines strong operational expertise with a focus on guest experience and cost efficiencies. A Hotel Management diploma holder who also trained at Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Das is recognised for driving quality and service excellence.

These strategic promotions reinforce The Fern Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to building a resilient leadership pipeline and delivering elevated guest experiences across diverse destinations.


Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Vishrut Gupta as General Manager to Lead Iconic Launch

Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Vishrut Gupta as General Manager to Lead Iconic Launch

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 16, 2025

Fairmont Udaipur Palace has announced the appointment of Vishrut Gupta as General Manager, marking a significant milestone in the launch of one of India’s most anticipated luxury destinations. With over two decades of distinguished experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Gupta brings a combination of strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, and a passion for culturally immersive guest experiences to the role.

As the driving force behind the pre-opening and launch of the property, Gupta’s mission is to position Fairmont Udaipur Palace as India’s definitive modern palace, a space for celebration, connection, and enchantment. His leadership philosophy is grounded in empathy, precision, and purpose, values he intends to embed in every aspect of the guest journey.

At Fairmont Udaipur, Gupta’s operational approach is structured around four foundational pillars:

  1. Authentic Local Cultural Integration – Bringing the rich heritage of Udaipur and Rajasthan into every guest interaction.

  2. Uncompromising Service Ethic – Maintaining the highest standards of personalised luxury.

  3. Empowered Colleague Culture – Building a motivated, purpose-driven team.

  4. Agile Commercial Strategy – Responding dynamically to evolving market demands.

Gupta’s style is defined by quiet, deliberate elegance, ensuring every interaction holds meaning and every moment is delivered with care. Guests can expect curated arrival rituals, intuitive in-room personalisation, and experiences rich in detail and emotional resonance.

Leading a handpicked team of hospitality experts chosen for their finesse, creativity, and cultural sensitivity, Gupta aims to create a destination where grandeur meets the discerning eye of modern global travellers. His vision includes a strong focus on sustainable practices, technology-driven personalisation, and experiential innovation, ensuring that every stay at Fairmont Udaipur Palace is not just luxurious but also deeply meaningful and memorable.

With Gupta at the helm, Fairmont Udaipur Palace is set to become a benchmark in Indian luxury hospitality, redefining what it means to be a modern palace in the 21st century.


Jiya Nadkarni Joins Hyatt Regency Dehradun as Front Office Manager

Jiya Nadkarni Joins Hyatt Regency Dehradun as Front Office Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 16, 2025

 Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Jiya Nadkarni as Front Office Manager, marking a new chapter in the property’s guest service philosophy. Known for her ability to transform routine hotel interactions into memorable narratives, Nadkarni brings a vision anchored in integrity, respect, and gratitude—values she plans to weave seamlessly into the daily rhythm of the resort.

With a deep appreciation for the Garhwal region, Nadkarni’s approach focuses on embedding Uttarakhand’s cultural identity into every guest experience. From traditional greetings and locally inspired welcome drinks to twilight rituals and botanically grounded gift sets, the essence of the Himalayas is set to flow through each moment of a guest’s stay.

Nadkarni describes her leadership style as “functional unity”, a collaborative model where every department contributes to a singular, immersive journey. Through swift team recalibration, adaptive workflows, and personal engagement with VIP guests, she has cultivated an ability to turn challenges into opportunities for team growth.

“Personalisation, to me, is where intention meets emotional awareness,” Nadkarni said. “It’s not about curated gestures or high-touch service for the sake of luxury. It’s about understanding the subtle ways people want to feel seen. When we start noticing what guests don’t articulate, when we remember not just their preferences but their pace, their comfort zones, their silences, that’s when hospitality becomes something lasting.”

Her initiatives include layering guest experiences with regional soundscapes, mountain-brewed infusions, and a slowed-down pace of service to evoke both emotional connection and a sense of grounding. Nadkarni’s team is envisioned as narrators of place, moving beyond traditional service to share local stories and traditions in detail-rich ways.

Positioned at the heart of the Himalayan foothills, Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa offers guests not only panoramic mountain views but also an authentic cultural immersion under Nadkarni’s guidance.


Varun Mehrotra Elevated to Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing for Key Marriott Properties

Varun Mehrotra Elevated to Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing for Key Marriott Properties

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 15, 2025

Marriott International has announced the elevation of Varun Mehrotra to Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing, overseeing three prominent properties in India: Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, The Artiste Kochi – a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and Marriott Executive Apartments UB City.

This expanded role marks a significant progression in Mehrotra’s leadership journey, following his successful tenure as Director of Sales & Marketing at Sheraton Grand Whitefield since 2023. In his new capacity, Mehrotra will lead the strategic sales and marketing efforts across all three properties, driving commercial excellence, business development, revenue optimization, and brand positioning in key markets.

With nearly two decades of experience across multiple hotel brands in India, Mehrotra is recognized for his strategic foresight, innovative thinking, and results-driven approach. He has a proven track record of enhancing sales, marketing, and revenue performance through structured planning and deep market insights.

Commenting on his new role, Mehrotra said, “I’m excited to take on this broader portfolio and continue contributing to the brand’s growth in key markets. I look forward to building on strong foundations and driving meaningful results alongside an exceptional team.”

Sanjay Gupta, Multi-Property General Manager, added, “Varun has been a key pillar of our leadership team, and this elevation is a testament to the consistent impact he has delivered. His strong market understanding and results-oriented approach make him exceptionally well-suited for this expanded mandate. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to accelerate commercial performance and reinforce our brand presence across key markets.”

Through this strategic elevation, Marriott underscores its commitment to nurturing high-performing talent and empowering proven leaders like Mehrotra to drive growth, visibility, and market leadership across its diverse portfolio in India.

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