Pankaj Saxena Promoted to Lead Radisson Blu’s Operations in West India

Pankaj Saxena Promoted to Lead Radisson Blu’s Operations in West India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 18, 2024

Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has announced the promotion of Pankaj Saxena to Area General Manager, West India, and General Manager of Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi. In his new role, Saxena will be responsible for overseeing the growth and operations of RHG across the West India region while continuing his leadership at Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi, a premier hotel located near Pune Airport and the World Trade Center, Pune Kharadi.

With a stellar career spanning over 27 years in the hospitality industry, Saxena has showcased strong leadership skills in both operational and strategic capacities. His extensive experience and commitment to hospitality make him well-suited to spearhead RHG’s efforts to expand and strengthen its presence in West India.

Under his guidance, Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi has flourished as a top-tier property, offering 141 uniquely designed rooms and suites, a luxury spa, diverse dining options, and expansive meeting and event facilities. Notable features include Carmine – All Day Dining Coffee Shop, Citrine – The Cake & Bake Shop, Skye – The Lounge Bar, The Bridge – Connecting Three Cuisines, and The Great Kabab Factory.

Pankaj Saxena holds a Diploma in Business Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management from Mangalore University. He is also a certified leader under RHG's Leaders Excellence Program, recognized at the RHG Corporate Office in Brussels, Belgium. Over the course of his career, Saxena has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious ‘Hotel of the Year’ award at the Asia Pacific Business Conference in Bangkok. More recently, he has received the Radisson Hotel Group Special Recognition Award and the Centre of Excellence Recognition Award 2024, alongside other honors like the H&RA Western India Honours Recognition Award 2024 and the IHC London & IIHM Hospitality Special Jury Award 2024.

Saxena has represented Radisson Hotel Group at renowned international platforms such as ITB-Berlin and WTM London and has been an active participant in commercial workshops across Southeast Asia and China. He currently serves as an Executive Board Committee Member of the Poona Hoteliers Association (PHA).

Radisson Hotel Group extends its congratulations to Pankaj Saxena on his well-deserved promotion and looks forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the company’s growth in West India.


Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar Welcomes Laxmi Singh as Front Office Manager

Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar Welcomes Laxmi Singh as Front Office Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on December 8, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar has announced the appointment of Laxmi Singh as the new Front Office Manager, strengthening the resort’s leadership team ahead of a busy travel season.

With over eight years in hospitality across well-known hotel brands, Singh brings strong experience in guest relations, front office operations and team development. She has worked with leading names including Accor Residences in Qatar, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels & Resorts and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Her global exposure also includes handling operations during the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Rahul Janve, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar, shared, “We are delighted to welcome Laxmi Singh as our Front Office Manager. Her deep understanding of guest expectations, operational strength and proven performance within the Marriott portfolio make her a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are confident her expertise will further enhance our service excellence and elevate the overall guest experience at our resort.”

Before taking up this role, Singh served as Guest Relations & Loyalty Manager at the same property, where she played a key role in improving loyalty member engagement and guest satisfaction scores. She later moved to Courtyard by Marriott Pune as Assistant Front Office Manager, contributing to improved processes and helping the hotel reach top TripAdvisor rankings.

In her new position, Singh will now lead daily front office operations, strengthen guest service strategies, enhance team performance and maintain high service standards for the resort.

Sharing her excitement, Laxmi Singh said, “Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar holds a special place in my career journey, and I am honoured to take on this leadership role. I look forward to building on our legacy of warm hospitality and enriching the overall guest experience.”

Her strong operational approach, leadership skills and hands-on experience across Indian and international markets make her a solid addition to Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar’s core team.


Radisson Blu New Delhi Paschim Vihar Strengthens Leadership with New F&B Heads

Radisson Blu New Delhi Paschim Vihar Strengthens Leadership with New F&B Heads

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 8, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Rakesh Kumar as Food & Beverage Manager and Chef Manoj Rawat as Executive Chef, bringing with them a strong blend of global exposure and luxury hospitality experience.

Rakesh, with over 15 years of experience, has worked with leading international and Indian hospitality brands such as Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, JW Marriott Pune and Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon. Known for leading large F&B teams, launching successful menus, driving revenue growth and managing high-profile events, he brings a strategic approach that will elevate the hotel’s dining and service standards.

Chef Manoj Rawat joins with an impressive 22-year journey across celebrated hotel brands including The Oberoi Group, Le Meridien Gurgaon, Intercontinental Eros, Radisson Gurugram Sohna Road City Centre, Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon, The Claridges and Ramada Gurgaon. His expertise spans multicuisine and regional Indian cuisine, large-scale banqueting, menu development and strong kitchen leadership. Chef Rawat is recognised for his creativity and craftsmanship, which will further strengthen the hotel’s culinary direction.

“As we step into a new phase of luxury, their combined experience will significantly enhance our guest experience and F&B excellence,” said Anuj Soin, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar.


Summit Hotels and Resorts Elevates Anjila Yonzon as Group General Manager – Sales

Summit Hotels and Resorts Elevates Anjila Yonzon as Group General Manager – Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on December 5, 2025

Summit Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Anjila Yonzon as the Group General Manager – Sales, marking a proud moment for the brand and a milestone in Anjila’s 12-year journey with the group.

Anjila began her career with Summit in the reservations department, quickly making an impact with her communication skills, guest-first thinking, and strong industry relationships. Over the years, she has played an important role in expanding Summit’s sales reach across markets, driving partnerships, and strengthening the brand’s business presence.

In her new leadership role, Anjila will guide the group’s overall sales strategy, leading key accounts, partnerships, and growth initiatives across Summit’s expanding portfolio. Her deep understanding of market trends and customer needs is expected to further boost Summit’s presence in both leisure and business travel segments.

Known for her collaborative style and strategic mindset, Anjila continues to inspire her teams with her focus on excellence and people-first leadership. Her journey reflects Summit’s culture of recognising talent from within and growing future leaders.

Sharing her thoughts on the appointment, Anjila Yonzon said, “It has been a truly rewarding journey with Summit Hotels and Resorts, and I am deeply honored to step into this new role. Over the years, I've witnessed the brand's incredible growth and the strength of our people-driven culture. As we move forward, my focus will be on deepening relationships, expanding our market presence, and driving sales performance with renewed energy and purpose.”

Adding to this, Sumit Mitruka, Founder & CEO, Summit Hotels and Resorts, said, “Anjila's leadership, dedication, and deep understanding of the market make her a vital part of our leadership team. Her growth within the organization truly reflects the spirit of Summit. We are confident that her strategic insight and relationship-driven approach will further enhance our sales performance and strengthen the brand's presence across key markets.”

Summit Hotels and Resorts congratulates Anjila on this well-deserved elevation and looks forward to her continued leadership in strengthening the group’s sales vision.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.