Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as General Manager

Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as General Manager

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 9, 2024

Novotel Pune has appointed Anant Leekha as the new General Manager. Leekha, who brings over 20 years of industry experience, will oversee the overall operations and management of Novotel Pune Nagar Road, focusing on enhancing guest engagement and profitability while further establishing the hotel's reputation.

Anant Leekha's appointment marks his return to Pune, where he first served as General Manager in 2016. His extensive experience in sales and operations, combined with his natural ability to motivate and develop dynamic teams, will contribute significantly to the hotel’s growth and success. Leekha is dedicated to delivering the Heartist experience to guests and team members alike.

Prior to his new role at Novotel Pune, Leekha had a distinguished 16-year tenure with Accor, during which he gained deep insights into the company's goals, service standards, and brand identity. Most recently, he served as Cluster General Manager for ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, ibis Navi Mumbai, and ibis Thane, overseeing a total of 631 rooms and achieving consistent excellence in performance metrics.

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Leekha holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology. In his new role, he will lead initiatives to drive business growth and enhance guest experiences through strategic and technological advancements.

About Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts:

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed to be comforting and energizing places where guests can 'press pause' and savor the moments that truly matter. With over 530 locations in more than 60 countries, Novotel provides a wide array of services for business and leisure guests, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious options; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for younger guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers.

Novotel is part of Accor, a leading global hospitality group with more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues across 110 countries.

For more information, visit: Accor Hotels


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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