The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal has announced the appointment of Mithun Payankool as its new Resident Manager, strengthening the resort's leadership team as it continues to enhance its luxury hospitality and wellness offerings.

With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Payankool brings extensive expertise in luxury hotel operations, guest experience, revenue management, and team leadership. In his new role, he will oversee the resort's day-to-day operations while focusing on elevating guest satisfaction, driving operational excellence, and strengthening team performance.

Prior to joining The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal, Payankool served as Director of Catering Sales at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership positions with leading hospitality brands including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, ITC Hotels, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Blu, and The LaLiT Hotels. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management and an MBA in International Business & Marketing from Dublin Business School, Ireland.

Speaking on his appointment, Payankool said he is excited to return to The LaLiT family and looks forward to working with the team to deliver exceptional guest experiences while strengthening the resort's reputation for hospitality, service excellence, and wellness. He added that he aims to further enhance the Swasthya Retreat experience by offering guests a harmonious blend of holistic well-being, rejuvenation, and authentic hospitality in the tranquil surroundings of Bekal.

Commenting on the appointment, Vivek Shukla, CEO of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said the company is delighted to welcome Payankool back to The LaLiT family. He noted that his extensive experience in luxury hospitality, operational expertise, people-centric leadership, and commitment to guest satisfaction will help strengthen the resort's position as a premier wellness destination while upholding the group's legacy of warm Indian hospitality.

The management of The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal also welcomed Payankool and expressed confidence that his strategic vision, leadership capabilities, and guest-centric approach will contribute significantly to the resort's continued growth and success.

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group operates a portfolio of luxury hotels, palaces, and resorts across major business and leisure destinations in India, offering experiential hospitality rooted in wellness, sustainability, and authentic Indian experiences

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of three associates into key management roles, reaffirming the hotel's commitment to nurturing internal talent and building future hospitality leaders.

Tanushree Paul has been promoted to Front Office Manager, Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been elevated to Executive Housekeeper, and Santhosh Ramanna has assumed the role of Director of Engineering.

Previously serving as Assistant Front Office Manager, Tanushree Paul has established herself as a dependable hospitality professional with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and team engagement. A graduate in Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology from NSHM School of Hotel Management, she joined Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse in June 2023 and has progressed steadily through her guest-centric approach and consistent performance.

Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been promoted from Housekeeping Manager to Executive Housekeeper after making significant contributions to enhancing housekeeping standards across the hotel. He is recognised for introducing the Small Acts of Kindness initiative, encouraging personalised guest interactions through thoughtful service gestures. A Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration graduate from IHM Guwahati, Kaustav was also honoured with the Clean Warrior Honours by World of Hospitality for his contribution to the HORECA industry.

Santhosh Ramanna has been elevated from Chief Engineer to Director of Engineering in recognition of his leadership in engineering operations, maintenance management and asset upkeep. His efforts in maintaining operational excellence earned him the Best Upkeep and Maintenance Award for Hotels from Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited in 2025. He holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from KSOU Mysore.

Commenting on the promotions, Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, said the appointments reflect the strong internal talent pipeline the hotel has built over the years. He noted that Tanushree, Kaustav and Santhosh have each played an important role in strengthening guest experiences, operational consistency and team culture, adding that empowering associates to grow and innovate remains central to the hotel's success.

The latest promotions further reinforce Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse's focus on developing talent from within while creating leadership opportunities that support exceptional guest experiences and long-term operational excellence

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Gaurav Jain as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The move comes as the hospitality company continues to expand its presence across India and strengthen its corporate capabilities to support its next phase of growth.

A Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant (ICWA), Gaurav brings over 15 years of experience in strategic finance, corporate governance, business transformation, capital structuring, and IPO readiness. During his career, he has held CXO-level leadership positions across startups, diversified corporate groups, and government-backed institutions, leading initiatives focused on financial governance, operational efficiency, and business transformation.

In his new role, Gaurav will lead Cygnett Hotels & Resorts' financial strategy, strengthen governance frameworks, optimise capital allocation, and support the company's expansion plans. His appointment aligns with the brand's long-term growth strategy as it continues to scale its operations across existing and new markets.

Announcing the appointment, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Cygnett is entering an exciting phase of growth, and building a strong leadership team is central to our long-term vision. Gaurav's diverse experience in strategic finance, governance and business transformation will further strengthen our financial foundation as we continue expanding our presence across existing and new markets. We are pleased to welcome him to the Cygnett family."

Expressing his enthusiasm on joining the company, Gaurav Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Cygnett has established itself as one of India's fastest-growing hospitality brands with a clear vision for expansion. I am delighted to join the organisation at this important juncture and look forward to strengthening its financial strategy, enhancing governance standards and supporting sustainable, value-driven growth across the business."

Known for combining financial discipline with strategic business planning, Gaurav has successfully led finance functions across organisations at different stages of growth. His expertise in capital planning, governance, performance optimisation, and long-term value creation is expected to further strengthen Cygnett Hotels & Resorts as it continues its expansion journey across India's hospitality sector.