Kempinski Hotels Welcomes Barbara Muckermann as New CEO

Kempinski Hotels Welcomes Barbara Muckermann as New CEO

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 25, 2024

Kempinski Hotels, Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, is excited to announce the appointment of Barbara Muckermann as their new Chief Executive Officer. With an impressive background in the luxury travel industry, Muckermann brings over 25 years of experience to this prestigious role. She previously led Silversea Cruises, part of Royal Caribbean Group, which is renowned as the world's largest ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line.

Muckermann joins Kempinski at a pivotal time. The iconic hospitality brand, with its 127-year tradition of excellence, is preparing for significant global expansion. Currently operating 82 hotels in 36 countries, Kempinski aims to add 34 more properties to its portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa over the next few years. This strategic growth is intended to further cement Kempinski's reputation for providing unparalleled luxury and exceptional service.

René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Kempinski Hotels S.A., expressed his confidence in Muckermann's leadership. "Barbara has always been at the forefront of luxury. Her proven ability to elevate the guest experience while maximizing profitability for leading travel brands made her the ideal choice to lead Kempinski Hotels. Her dynamic, forward-thinking approach will be vital as we continue to usher in a new era of luxury for our brand."

Muckermann is the first woman to lead Kempinski Hotels in its 127-year history. She expressed her excitement about joining the company, stating, "I could not be more thrilled to be joining Kempinski Hotels as CEO during such a pivotal time for the brand. I am delighted to play an integral role in this incredibly iconic brand’s next chapter while honoring its rich history. I look forward to working with amazing colleagues globally to continue to make the Kempinski name synonymous with individual luxury."

Throughout her career, Muckermann has significantly enhanced sales and profitability while upgrading customer experiences for global luxury brands such as Loro Piana, MSC Cruises, and NCL. Her extensive international experience, having lived in Italy, France, and the USA, and her proficiency in five languages, underscore her global perspective and capability. Additionally, she holds a Doctorate in Political Sciences and Economics and an MBA from both Columbia and London Business School.

Kempinski Hotels is known for its unique and legendary properties, each reflecting the cultural traditions of their locations while maintaining the high standards expected of the brand. As the company looks forward to expanding its presence, Muckermann's leadership is expected to guide Kempinski through this exciting phase, reinforcing its position as a leader in luxury hospitality.

With this new appointment, Kempinski Hotels continues to build on its rich heritage, combining tradition with innovation to offer the finest experiences in the world of luxury hospitality.


Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Nisshant Kumar and Rashmi Kamboj to Leadership Roles

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Nisshant Kumar and Rashmi Kamboj to Leadership Roles

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 10, 2026

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida has announced two key appointments to its leadership team with Nisshant Kumar joining as Director of Operations and Rashmi Kamboj taking on the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. These appointments reflect the hotel’s focus on strengthening its leadership and supporting its long-term growth strategy.

Nisshant Kumar brings more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with strong expertise in hotel operations, leadership, and commercial performance. Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, he was associated with Hyatt Regency Lucknow as Director of Sales & Marketing, where he contributed to strengthening the hotel’s market position and commercial performance.

He began his career as Team Leader, Rooms Division at Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi and has since worked with several well-known hospitality brands. His professional journey includes roles with The Qutab Hotel New Delhi, Hilton Hotel, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, The Leela Gurugram, The Westin Resort and Spa, Radisson Blu New Delhi Dwarka, Pride Plaza Aerocity, and The Soaltee Kathmandu.

In his new role, Nisshant will oversee hotel operations with a focus on improving service standards, operational efficiency, and overall guest satisfaction.

Commenting on the appointment, Sharad K. Upadhyay, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, said, “We are delighted to welcome Nisshant to the leadership team at Crowne Plaza Greater Noida. His extensive industry experience, strong operational expertise, and strategic mindset will play a key role in further elevating the hotel’s service standards and operational excellence. We are confident that his leadership will significantly contribute to the continued growth and success of the property.”

Outside of work, Nisshant enjoys music and dancing, interests that reflect his energetic and vibrant personality.

The hotel has also appointed Rashmi Kamboj as Director of Sales & Marketing. With over 25 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, Rashmi brings deep industry knowledge and strong commercial expertise.

Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, she was associated with Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park as Director of Sales, where she played an important role in driving business growth and strengthening the brand’s market presence.

Rashmi began her hospitality career as a Hotel Operations Management Trainee at Taj Coromandel, Chennai. Over the years, she has worked with several leading organisations including Goa Marriott Resort, India Habitat Centre, Novotel Hyderabad International Convention Centre, KW Conferences Pvt. Ltd., and Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty along with Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre.

At Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, she will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing initiatives while focusing on strengthening market presence, building strategic partnerships, and driving revenue growth across key segments.

Sharing his thoughts on her appointment, Sharad K. Upadhyay said, “We are thrilled to welcome Rashmi to Crowne Plaza Greater Noida. Her extensive expertise in sales leadership, strong industry relationships, and strategic vision will be instrumental in strengthening our market presence and driving sustained business growth. We look forward to her valuable contributions in positioning the hotel as a preferred destination for business and leisure travellers.”


Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi Appoints Mayur S. Modak as Chief Engineer

Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi Appoints Mayur S. Modak as Chief Engineer

By Hariharan U

Published on March 9, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi has announced the appointment of Mayur S. Modak as its new Chief Engineer, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience spanning hospitality, infrastructure, malls, and the chemical industry.

In his new role, Mayur will take charge of the hotel's full engineering operations, from mechanical and electrical systems to HVAC, fire safety, and water treatment. His focus will span preventive maintenance, energy conservation, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and keeping the property's safety and operational standards firmly in place.

Mayur comes with a rich and varied career behind him. Most recently, he served as Chief Engineer at Fariyas Hotel Lonavala, and before that held the same position at Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. His earlier stints include key engineering leadership roles at some well-regarded names in the industry, The Orchid Hotel Pune, Renaissance Lucknow Hotel, JW Marriott Hotel Pune, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, and JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu. It's a career that spans cities, countries, and a wide range of property types, giving him a well-rounded perspective that's hard to replicate.

Over the course of his career, Mayur has led pre-opening projects, driven cost-optimisation strategies, strengthened preventive maintenance programmes, and pushed through meaningful energy-saving initiatives, all while keeping guest satisfaction and team development at the centre of his work. His approach aligns naturally with Marriott International's brand standards, making him a fitting addition to the Courtyard Pune Hinjewadi team.

The hotel looks forward to the expertise and energy Mayur brings to the role, and the contributions he'll make to keeping the property running at its very best


Pincode Bungalow Brings Chef Kunal Kapur’s UAE-Acclaimed Format Home to India

Pincode Bungalow Brings Chef Kunal Kapur’s UAE-Acclaimed Format Home to India

By Hariharan U

Published on March 4, 2026

After establishing a strong presence in the UAE, Pincode now marks its India debut with the launch of Pincode Bungalow, the brand’s first Indian flagship by Kunal Kapur. Choosing Vagator for its layered cultural character and design-forward appeal, the chef-led concept brings its geographically inspired dining philosophy back home.

At the heart of Pincode lies a menu structured around India’s postal codes, tracing flavours from Indore’s Sarafa Bazaar and Old Delhi’s Dilli-6 to Kolkata’s cabin cafés, Champaran’s sealed-handis and coastal Tamil kitchens. Alongside crowd favourites, the kitchen spotlights dishes such as Dubki Aloo with Bedmi Poori, Nizami Handi, Nadru Kofta and Champaran Meat, using techniques like dum cooking, dhungar smoking, charcoal grilling and fermentation. Personal family recipes from Chef Kunal and Corporate Chef Sadiya Khan add a layer of memory to the mapped culinary narrative.

Set within a restored Portuguese bungalow, the space unfolds in three distinct zones. Indiroom revisits Indian breakfast traditions in collaboration with Caarabi Coffee Roasters, while Baar-Bar, developed with mixologist Mukesh Patwal, presents nostalgic cocktails paired with a dedicated chakhna menu. The design preserves the home’s original character, blending whitewashed walls and timber rafters with subtle contemporary detailing.

With Pincode Bungalow, we wanted to create a flagship that truly belongs… Three moods, one home,” said Chef Kunal Kapur, Founder & Chef.

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