Leadership with Heart at Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar

People First, Always: Vaishakh Surendran’s Vision for Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar

By Vaishakh Surendran

Published on June 10, 2025

Vaishakh Surendran, the General Manager of Lyfe Hotels & Resorts in Bhubaneswar, brings a rich experience and a people-first philosophy that is redefining the hospitality space in Odisha’s capital. Under his leadership, the hotel is fast becoming a standout in the city’s competitive hospitality scene. With a progressive approach, sustainable practices, and a commitment to nurturing talent, Vaishakh and his team are creating a space where both guests and employees thrive.

We sat down with Vaishakh Surendran to understand the vision behind Lyfe Hotels, the cultural and operational essence of the property, and what sets it apart in the evolving hospitality landscape of Bhubaneswar.

1. What inspired your approach to leading Lyfe Hotels & Resorts in Bhubaneswar, and how do you ensure the property stands out in a competitive hospitality landscape?

“I have worked with various brands and owners during my stint as GM over the last 12 years,” says Vaishakh. “While most focus on improving revenue and profitability, what stood out during my interview with our Chairman Shri Srinibash Sahoo was his emphasis on human capital. He expressed a vision for a hotel with near zero attrition, and that deeply resonated with my personal belief that valuing people is the foundation for long-term success. Happy employees lead to happy guests, and that in turn drives repeat business and profitability.”

Being a relatively new entrant in the Bhubaneswar hospitality scene, Lyfe Hotels has experienced both challenges and milestones. But Vaishakh is confident about their distinctiveness. “Our vision and offerings are designed to align with what modern guests seek—experience-led stays. From our location and unique architecture to stylish rooms and the much-talked-about F&B experience, we’ve set ourselves apart. Notably, our Thai restaurant ‘Sweet Basil’ is the only one in Eastern India to feature an expat chef. At the end of FY 2024–25, we surpassed the topline revenue of many established branded hotels in the city, and that motivates us to aim even higher.”

2. What were some of the key priorities you focused on when you took charge, and how have they shaped the overall guest experience at the hotel?

Vaishakh outlines three key priorities: increasing revenue, optimizing operational efficiency, and improving profitability. “In addition, I’ve always focused on nurturing our People, Product, and Processes,” he shares. “Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) has risen to 85, and we’re targeting 90+. While revenues are strong, we’re continuously identifying areas to improve. Our attrition rate is well within industry standards, and we ensure 100% compliance with all statutory and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) norms.”

3. Bhubaneswar is a vibrant mix of tradition and progress. How do you blend the city's cultural essence with the contemporary vibe of the Lyfe brand?

“Bhubaneswar is known as the Temple City, but it’s also emerging as a hub for sports, IT, and commercial ventures,” he says. “This blend of the old and new aligns perfectly with our brand ethos. While most hotels follow predictable formats, Lyfe offers something fresh. We bring a contemporary design sensibility and guest experience, while also practicing sustainable tourism rooted in Odisha’s cultural heritage. That’s how we stand out.”

4. How is the property embracing environmentally conscious practices, and what impact have these had on both operations and guest perception?

At Lyfe Hotels, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a core value. “Our brand values are encapsulated in the acronym SPIRIT, where 'S' stands for Sustainability,” Vaishakh explains. “From design to daily operations, every element is conceived to reduce our environmental footprint. We use natural lighting, LED fixtures, motion-sensor-based utilities, solar panels, EV charging stations, paper pens, and an in-house water bottling plant. We avoid single-use plastics and locally source all fruits, vegetables, and meat. These efforts resonate well with our guests and align with global best practices.”

5. What leadership philosophy do you follow to motivate your team and maintain high service standards throughout the hotel?

“I believe in being present on the shop floor,” says Vaishakh. “It helps me get a first-hand feel of the guest experience and staff morale. I interact regularly with guests and team members, and maintain an open-door policy that encourages honest conversations.”

He also focuses on empowering his team through knowledge sharing and skill development. “I conduct regular training sessions based on best practices and my personal experiences. I believe every team member should be empowered to bring out their best. When people feel valued and free to innovate, service quality naturally improves.”

6. What is your long-term vision for Lyfe Hotels & Resorts in this region, and how do you plan to elevate the brand’s presence further?

Vaishakh envisions Lyfe Hotels becoming the preferred hospitality brand for guests, employees, and owners alike. “Rather than replicating a cookie-cutter format, we aim to create unique properties that reflect the spirit of their locations,” he shares. “Each hotel will carry the DNA of Lyfe Bhubaneswar but offer a distinct experience. That’s how we plan to grow—not just in numbers, but in character and guest impact.”

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Named Among Fodor’s 100 Most Incredible Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on November 11, 2025

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the city’s most celebrated heritage hotel, has been named one of the “100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World” by Fodor’s, the globally respected travel authority.

The 124-year-old landmark is the only hotel in Vietnam and one of just 15 hotels in Asia to earn a place on the 2026 Fodor’s Finest Hotels list one of the most coveted recognitions in the global travel industry.

In its citation, Fodor’s described the property’s 358 rooms as being divided between two distinctive wings, the Heritage Wing, renovated in 2023 yet steeped in French colonial elegance and Vietnamese character, and the Opera Wing, known for its neoclassical design and bold palette of black, white, and red.The publication also praised the hotel’s culinary excellence, spotlighting the Michelin-selected Le Beaulieu, which offers refined French dining, and Spice Garden, renowned for its elevated Vietnamese cuisine.

According to Fodor’s editors, there are over 765,000 hotels and resorts worldwide, and the list was curated from recommendations by hundreds of seasoned experts from writers to hospitality professionals, narrowing down properties they “love and would recommend visiting in 2026.”

This global honour follows a string of recent accolades for what many call Vietnam’s “Grande Dame since 1901.” In October, the Metropole received a MICHELIN Key in Vietnam’s inaugural MICHELIN Guide, with editors noting, “Not every hotel can get away with using the word ‘legend,’ but there’s nothing else quite like the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.”

Earlier recognitions include being named among the Best Business Hotels in Asia-Pacific 2025 by Business Traveller and earning the “Iconic Historic Hotel in Hanoi” title from Robb Report Hong Kong’s Best of the Best 2026. The property was also listed among the 72 best hotels and resorts globally by Condé Nast Traveler and featured in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s 500 Best Hotels” list.

A timeless icon since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi blends French colonial charm with modern sophistication. It offers 358 rooms, six restaurants and bars, lush gardens, a heated outdoor pool, Le Spa du Metropole, and exclusive shopping experiences through La Boutique and L’Epicerie.

The hotel continues to be a favourite among dignitaries, artists, and world travellers alike, standing as a symbol of Hanoi’s hospitality and heritage.

Most Read In News

Chinese Wok Partners with Amazon MX Player’s ‘I-POPSTAR’ as ...

Chinese Wok, India’s leading homegrown Desi Chinese quick-se...

“Moth to Flame” — A Hotelier’s Journey That Lights Up the Sp...

There are stories that entertain, stories that teach, and th...

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Kicks Off the Festive Season with...

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida welcomed the festive spirit with ...

InnKey Unveils New Brand Identity to Redefine the Future of ...

Built in India, Designed for the World - InnKey evolves from...

Eros Hotel New Delhi Rings in Christmas with a Joyful Cake Mixing Ceremony

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 11, 2025

With the city embracing the festive spirit, Eros Hotel New Delhi welcomed the Christmas season with a joyful cake-mixing ceremony on Friday. The luxury hotel radiated festive cheer as the celebration brought together hotel staff, renowned food and beverage influencers, and distinguished guests, all in the presence of General Manager, Mr. Davinder Juj.

The hotel glowed with festive lights, vibrant décor, and balloons, while Christmas trees adorned every corner. The red carpet was rolled out for over 50 guests, including prominent personalities from the city who joined in the festivities.

The event took place at the poolside lawn, where long tables were beautifully arranged with an array of ingredients for the traditional ceremony. Almonds, cashews, dates, apricots, raisins, orange peel, black currants, pistachios, and a rich mix of spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves filled the air with festive aromas.

Chef Diwas Wadhera and Mr. Juj led the ceremony, performing the first step of the traditional cake mixing. Wearing red aprons, guests and staff members joyfully participated, pouring the soaked ingredients into large containers, symbolizing the beginning of the harvest and the festive season.

Speaking about the occasion, Mr. Davinder Juj, General Manager, Eros Hotel New Delhi, said, “Christmas is almost around the corner and to commemorate this festival we organized the annual cake mixing ceremony. Through this age-old ritual, we aim to ignite the spirit of joy and togetherness, ensuring that the season continues to bring positivity, prosperity, success, and good fortune to all.”

The celebration concluded with high tea and delectable refreshments, perfectly complementing the warmth and flavours of the ceremony, leaving everyone with smiles and festive delight.