Phil Cordell, A Hilton Veteran, Retires After 40-Year Career

Phil Cordell, A Hilton Veteran, Retires After 40-Year Career

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 16, 2024

Phil Cordell, a seasoned executive with Hilton, is retiring after an impressive 40-year tenure with the company. Hilton has announced that Cordell will transition to an advisory role, starting in July, where he will mentor and coach the Hilton team.

Cordell’s journey with Hilton began in high school as a bellman. His dedication and hard work led him to become the general manager of the second Hampton Hotel in 1983. Over the next two decades, he played a pivotal role in expanding Hilton’s All Suites and Focused Service brands, particularly growing the Hampton by Hilton brand into a global leader with over 2,300 hotels in 29 countries by the end of his tenure.

Cordell was instrumental in launching the first Hampton hotel in China in 2015, showcasing his ability to adapt Hilton’s brand to international markets. His leadership extended beyond Hampton, contributing significantly to the success of other Hilton brands such as Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, and Homewood Suites.

In his latest role as Global Head of Lifestyle and New Brand Development, Cordell spearheaded the creation and launch of several innovative brands, including Home2 Suites, Tru, Motto, Tempo, and Spark. Notably, Spark achieved the fastest announcement-to-market timeline in Hilton’s history, debuting its first hotel just ten months after the brand was announced.

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Cordell’s departure marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to influence Hilton’s growth. Kevin Osterhaus, who recently joined Hilton as President of Global Lifestyle Brands, will succeed Cordell. Osterhaus will oversee the development of several Hilton brands, including Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Graduate by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Tempo by Hilton. Osterhaus brings experience from his previous role as President of Graduate Hotels, which Hilton acquired earlier this year.

Beyond brand development, Cordell played a crucial role in establishing the Hilton CleanStay program, which set new standards for cleanliness and safety during the pandemic. This initiative has been widely recognized for enhancing guest confidence and ensuring safe hotel stays.

Chris Silcock, Hilton’s President of Global Brands and Commercial Services, expressed gratitude for Cordell’s contributions in an internal letter: “As Phil transitions into an advisory role, let us take this opportunity to express our gratitude for his exceptional leadership, mentorship, and friendship. His legacy of innovation, growth, and genuine ‘Hamptonality’ service will continue to inspire us for years.”

Cordell’s career at Hilton is a testament to his dedication, innovative spirit, and commitment to excellence. His move to an advisory role will ensure that his experience and insights continue to benefit Hilton as the company evolves and expands.

Image Credit: Getty Images


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.

In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.

As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.

"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.

Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.

What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.

His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.

In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.

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