Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, which opened in April 2026, has announced the appointment of Samata Danday Chand as Hotel Manager. This move reflects a strong focus on leadership as the property looks to establish itself as a preferred stay for pilgrims, leisure travellers, and corporate guests visiting Tirupati.

In her new role, Samata will lead overall hotel operations, shape guest experiences from the beginning, and guide the property’s growth during its early phase and beyond.

With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Samata brings deep expertise in operations, guest engagement, and team leadership. She is known for building strong teams and maintaining consistent service standards across roles.

She began her journey with IHCL Taj Hotels, where she spent close to ten years as an executive housekeeper. During this time, she handled several pre-opening projects and major renovation initiatives, building a strong base in operations and execution. She later moved into Learning & Development, where she focused on improving team skills and strengthening workplace culture.

Over the years, Samata has taken on senior leadership roles such as operations manager and director of rooms, where she managed overall hotel operations. Most recently, she served as Executive Assistant Manager – Rooms at JW Marriott Bengaluru Golfshire, contributing to guest experience and operational performance.

Speaking on her appointment, Samata Danday Chand said,

"Tirupati is a destination that holds profound meaning for millions of people. As a team, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to match that significance with an experience that is seamless, warm, and truly memorable. Our goal is to ensure that every guest, whether a pilgrim seeking solace, a family on a cherished trip, or a corporate traveller on the move, enjoys a stay that is comfortable, effortless, and exceptional in every sense. That is the standard we are setting for ourselves from day one."

Known for her people-first leadership style, Samata brings a balanced approach to her role. She is also passionate about travelling, long-distance driving, and practices yoga regularly, reflecting a disciplined yet mindful way of leading teams.

With Samata Danday Chand leading the operations, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati is set to build a strong presence in the region and deliver a consistent and comfortable stay experience from the very beginning.

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad has announced the promotion of Vishal Singh as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening internal leadership.

With over eight years of experience in the hospitality industry, Vishal steps into his new role with a strong foundation in food and beverage operations, team leadership, and guest engagement. Having been an integral part of the property, he has consistently contributed to delivering high-quality dining experiences while enhancing operational efficiency.

Vishal’s professional journey reflects diverse experience across leading hospitality brands. Prior to this promotion, he has worked with Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre Hyderabad, Pullman New Delhi, and Fairfield by Marriott Goa, gaining a well-rounded perspective on service excellence and operational management. He began his career with an internship at JW Marriott Kolkata, laying the foundation for his growth in the industry.

Known for his hands-on leadership style and keen understanding of evolving guest preferences, Vishal has played a key role in enhancing the property’s food and beverage offerings. His ability to balance operational efficiency with guest-centric service has been instrumental in driving consistent performance.

In his new capacity, he will oversee food and beverage operations across the property, ensuring seamless service delivery while continuing to innovate and elevate guest experiences in line with global standards set by Marriott International.

This promotion underscores the property’s focus on people-first leadership and its commitment to developing talent from within.

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway has announced the appointment of K.L. Ramakrishnan as Director of Engineering, further strengthening its operational and technical leadership.

With over 14 years of experience in hospitality engineering, Ramakrishnan brings deep expertise in technical operations, project management, and sustainability-driven initiatives. In his new role, he will oversee the hotel’s engineering functions, including maintenance of plant and machinery, energy management, safety systems, and infrastructure efficiency.

He will also play a key role in ensuring seamless operations across all technical areas while enhancing guest comfort and maintaining high standards of operational excellence.

Prior to joining Sheraton Grand Bangalore, he served as Director of Engineering at Taj Skyline Ahmedabad, where he led engineering operations for a luxury property. His professional journey also includes key roles with leading hospitality brands such as Marriott International, Accor, The Leela Hotels & Resorts, and The Lalit.

Notably, he has managed multi-property engineering operations at Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott, showcasing his capability in handling large-scale and complex hospitality environments.

Over the course of his career, Ramakrishnan has led several major projects, including plant upgrades, energy optimisation initiatives, and post-pandemic restoration of critical engineering systems. His expertise spans HVAC systems, fire and life safety, water treatment, and preventive maintenance, with a strong focus on sustainability practices such as energy conservation and efficient resource management.

Welcoming him to the team, Sushma Khichar said, “We are pleased to welcome Ramakrishnan to the team. His deep technical expertise, hands-on approach, and proven track record in managing complex engineering operations will be instrumental in maintaining our high standards of efficiency, safety and guest comfort.”

With his extensive technical knowledge and leadership experience, the hotel aims to further strengthen its engineering capabilities and continue delivering seamless guest experiences.