Shangri-La Bengaluru Elevates Gaurav Besoya to Director of Rooms

Shangri-La Bengaluru Elevates Gaurav Besoya to Director of Rooms

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 4, 2025

Shangri-La Bengaluru has announced the promotion of Gaurav Besoya to Director of Rooms, recognizing his outstanding leadership and dedication to delivering Shangri-La’s world-class hospitality. A valued member of the hotel's leadership team since 2022, Gaurav has been instrumental in enhancing guest experiences, optimizing service strategies, and fostering a culture of excellence.

With over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality, Gaurav has consistently demonstrated a passion for service and a keen eye for detail, ensuring that every guest enjoys a seamless and memorable stay. His ability to build meaningful relationships with guests and lead his team with enthusiasm has played a key role in Shangri-La Bengaluru’s reputation for service excellence.

Sharing his excitement about the promotion, Gaurav Besoya said:

"I am truly honored to take on this new role at Shangri-La Bengaluru, a place that has become like a second home to me. My goal has always been to create seamless and memorable stays for our guests, and I look forward to leading our exceptional team in continuing to elevate their experiences."

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Leadership Recognition

Congratulating Gaurav on his promotion, Mr. Andreas Streiber, General Manager of Shangri-La Bengaluru, expressed his confidence in Gaurav’s leadership:

“At Shangri-La, we take great pride in recognizing and nurturing talent from within. Gaurav has shown remarkable dedication and an innate ability to connect with our guests, ensuring they feel genuinely cared for. His promotion to Director of Rooms is a testament to his hard work and passion, and I have no doubt that he will continue to enhance our guest experiences and uphold the highest standards of hospitality.”

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Expanding Responsibilities

In his new role as Director of Rooms, Gaurav will oversee the seamless operation of Front Office, Housekeeping, Spa, Health Club, and Guest Services, ensuring that every guest at Shangri-La Bengaluru experiences the brand’s legendary warmth and impeccable service.

With his expertise and commitment to excellence, Gaurav Besoya is set to lead Shangri-La Bengaluru into a new era of guest-centric innovation and luxury hospitality.

About Shangri-La

Shangri-La, the flagship brand of the Shangri-La Group, is renowned for its distinctive Asian hospitality, immersive experiences, and timeless elegance. With over 90 deluxe hotels and resorts worldwide, the brand is committed to delivering thoughtful service and unparalleled luxury.

Congratulations to Gaurav Besoya on this well-deserved promotion! 


Surat Marriott Hotel Appoints Bishwajeet Kumar as Executive Chef

Surat Marriott Hotel Appoints Bishwajeet Kumar as Executive Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 12, 2025

Surat Marriott Hotel has announced the appointment of Bishwajeet Kumar as its new executive chef. Kumar brings with him over 23 years of experience in culinary leadership, spanning hotel kitchens, air catering services, cruise liners, and large-scale catering operations. He has worked with reputed hospitality brands such as Marriott International, IHCL, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, and The Orchid. His most recent role was with IHCL’s TajSats Air Catering in Goa.

With expertise in leading kitchen operations, developing menus, and delivering memorable dining experiences, Kumar is known for his operational precision and creative culinary approach.

In his new role at Surat Marriott Hotel, Kumar will oversee all culinary operations, including the hotel’s signature restaurants, banquets, and in-room dining. His focus will be on diligent operations, consistent food quality, and enhancing the guest experience.

Expressing his excitement about the appointment, Amit Mehta, Vice President of Operations, said:

“Chef Bishwajeet’s strong operational skills and genuine passion for food will be instrumental in elevating the dining experiences at Surat Marriott Hotel.”

With his extensive background and proven leadership, Kumar is set to strengthen Surat Marriott Hotel’s reputation for offering world-class dining experiences.


Planet Hollywood Thane Appoints Sana Naseem as General Manager

Planet Hollywood Thane Appoints Sana Naseem as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 12, 2025

Planet Hollywood Thane, the first five-star luxury and lifestyle hotel at Hiranandani Estate, has announced the appointment of Sana Naseem as its new general manager.

Naseem brings with her nearly two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, having held leadership roles with globally renowned hotel brands such as IHG, Hyatt, The Imperial, and Machan Resorts LLP. She is widely recognised for her expertise in operations, guest experience design, and commercial growth.

Known for her balanced leadership style, Naseem combines efficiency with empathy, focusing strongly on building motivated teams and delivering personalised guest experiences.

In her new role, Naseem aims to position Planet Hollywood Thane as a premier lifestyle and luxury destination, enhancing the property’s presence in the market through personalised guest journeys, innovative services, and strong brand storytelling. Her vision is to make the hotel a landmark hub for luxury weddings, high-profile events, leisure travellers, and corporate gatherings.

A key highlight under her leadership will be the launch of Banaraas at Planet Hollywood Thane, a fine-dining restaurant designed to redefine the city’s culinary landscape. With a blend of global inspirations, contemporary flair, and immersive dining experiences, Banaraas aims to set new benchmarks in Thane’s dining scene.

Speaking about her appointment, Naseem said:

“I am delighted to lead Planet Hollywood Thane into its next chapter. My vision is to make the hotel not just a place to stay, but a destination in itself. I want every guest to leave with unforgettable memories, whether it is through our service, our events, or our dining experiences.”

With her extensive expertise and visionary leadership, Planet Hollywood Thane is set to strengthen its positioning as a lifestyle-led luxury destination.


Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Welcomes Back Alkhamar Abdukunju as Director of Food & Beverage

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Welcomes Back Alkhamar Abdukunju as Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on September 11, 2025

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has announced the return of Alkhamar Abdukunju as its Director of Food & Beverage, marking a homecoming for a professional whose journey with Hyatt has spanned over eight years.

Alkhamar’s career reflects a dynamic blend of creativity, operational excellence, and guest-first hospitality. Known for his fun-loving personality and passion for beverages and wines, he embodies Hyatt’s ethos of experimentation and empathy. Beyond work, he enjoys creating fun videos, traveling to explore new cultures, and keeping up with Formula 1 racing, pursuits that fuel his fresh perspectives and ability to connect with people.

Speaking about his return, Alkhamar said, “It honestly feels like coming home. This place and its people have played a huge role in shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally.”

Alkhamar’s Hyatt journey includes two major milestones: contributing to the opening of Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty and Hyatt Regency Trivandrum. These experiences allowed him to collaborate with some of the industry’s finest professionals and shaped his leadership style, one that combines operational precision with a deep passion for creating memorable dining experiences.

Guided by his personal motto, “Be happy”, Alkhamar continues to lead with positivity, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His return is set to further elevate the hotel’s culinary offerings, enhance guest experiences, and reinforce Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty’s position as one of India’s premier luxury hospitality destinations.

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