Gaurav Besoya Promoted to Director of Rooms at Shangri-La

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."

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.”

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.

Stay connected:
Instagram: @shangrilablr
Facebook: @ShangriLaBLR
Website: www.shangri-la.com/en/bengaluru/shangrila/

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!

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad Appoints Kritika Arora as HR Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 20, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad has appointed Kritika Arora as its new human resources manager, marking a return to the hotel where she previously contributed as training executive and assistant manager, HR & Training. With over a decade of experience spanning leading hospitality brands including Hyatt, IHG, Oberoi, and Pride, Arora brings extensive expertise in building strong organisational cultures, fostering employee engagement, and driving talent development.

Before her appointment, Arora served as learning manager at Hyatt, Ahmedabad, where she led talent and training initiatives that enhanced both organisational performance and employee satisfaction. She holds an MBA in Human Resources from Pune University and has undertaken certifications in leadership, train-the-trainer, POSH, and quality assurance.

Commenting on the appointment, Khizer Khan, Hotel Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Kritika back to the DoubleTree family. Her proven expertise in HR, coupled with her passion for fostering inclusive and high-performing teams, will play a pivotal role in strengthening our people-first culture.”

Reflecting on her new role, Kritika Arora shared:

“I am excited to return to DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad, a place that has been instrumental in shaping my career. I look forward to building on the hotel’s strong values by creating an environment where people thrive, grow, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.”

With Arora at the helm of HR, the hotel is set to reinforce its commitment to a people-first culture, ensuring team growth and an elevated guest experience across all operations.

Global F&B Expert Mariki Sayles Joins JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar as Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 18, 2025

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has announced the appointment of Mariki Sayles as its new Director of Food & Beverage, marking an exciting chapter in the hotel’s culinary evolution. With more than a decade of distinguished international experience spanning India, New York, and beyond, Mariki brings a wealth of expertise and innovation to the role.

An award-winning hospitality professional, Mariki was honoured as Mixologist of the Year by The Times of India and served as a judge at ProWine Mumbai 2024, establishing herself as one of the industry’s most forward-thinking F&B leaders. Her diverse experience includes leading beverage operations for Bastian Hospitality’s iconic venues across India, directing transformative consulting projects nationwide, and contributing to the beverage program at New York’s Michelin-starred Le Bernardin.

Throughout her career, Mariki has been recognised for creating and elevating cutting-edge bar and restaurant concepts that blend operational excellence with creative storytelling, crafting experiences that resonate deeply with guests.

At JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, she will oversee the hotel’s comprehensive food and beverage operations, driving strategy, innovation, and exceptional guest engagement across its acclaimed dining venues, sophisticated banquet facilities, and signature lounges. This appointment underscores the hotel’s dedication to maintaining its leadership position in Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Reflecting on her new role, Mariki Sayles shared,

“JW Marriott is synonymous with international standards of excellence, and I am thrilled to contribute to this legacy at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. My vision is to elevate our food and beverage experiences to not only match global benchmarks but also redefine them for the Mumbai market, curating concepts that are innovative, immersive, and unforgettable.”

With her creative vision, meticulous attention to detail, and strategic insight, Mariki’s leadership is set to enhance JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar’s culinary identity, reaffirming its reputation as the Gateway to Mumbai and a true pioneer of hospitality excellence.

Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels Appoints Vijaya Kumar as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 18, 2025

GRT Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Vijaya Kumar as the General Manager of Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, the group’s flagship property. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Kumar brings a wealth of expertise in operations, culinary innovation, and sustainable hospitality practices.

Kumar’s promotion to General Manager marks a significant internal advancement within GRT Hotels & Resorts. He previously served as Cluster Director of Food & Beverage, leading operations across Radisson franchise GRT hotels, and has contributed 17 years of dedicated service to the group across multiple properties. His experience also includes tenures with renowned brands such as Taj, ITC, and SRM Hotels.

Passionate about community impact, Kumar has spearheaded initiatives like Chef Amudhupadai, a program to feed underprivileged children, collaborated with local farmers for organic produce, introduced Braille menus and allergen-friendly dining, and trained differently-abled individuals in hospitality and bakery sectors.

Commenting on the appointment, Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts, said:

“We are delighted to appoint Mr. Vijaya Kumar as General Manager of Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels. His journey reflects our commitment to nurturing talent from within. Beginning his career as a professional chef, he combines culinary creativity with operational insight, equipping him with a deep understanding of guest experience and hospitality operations. Under his stewardship, Grand Chennai will continue to set new benchmarks in guest satisfaction and brand excellence.”

Speaking about his new role, Vijaya Kumar added:

“It is a privilege to lead Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, the flagship property of a brand that has set benchmarks in Indian hospitality for nearly three decades. My focus will be on crafting meaningful guest experiences, championing sustainability, and creating a destination that truly reflects the essence of GRT Hotels. Together with my team, I look forward to carrying this tradition forward while setting new standards for excellence.”

Kumar holds a diploma in hotel management from IHM Chennai, alongside multiple postgraduate degrees including an MBA in Human Resources, MA in Public Administration, and a Master’s in Tourism Management. He is also certified in ISO 22000, AHLA programs, and is an accredited trainer and auditor.

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Shangri-La Bengaluru Elevates Gaurav Besoya to Director of Rooms

Leadership Recognition

Expanding Responsibilities

About Shangri-La

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DoubleTree by Hilton Pune–Chinchwad Appoints Kritika Arora as HR Manager

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Global F&B Expert Mariki Sayles Joins JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar as Director of Food & Beverage

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Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels Appoints Vijaya Kumar as General Manager

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