Shridhar Nair Takes the Helm at The Leela Ambience Gurugram as Senior VP and GM

Shridhar Nair Takes the Helm at The Leela Ambience Gurugram as Senior VP and GM

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 29, 2024

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has appointed Shridhar Nair as its new Senior Vice President and General Manager. In this role, Nair will be based in Gurugram, where he will oversee operations not only at The Leela Ambience Gurugram but also at several other key properties, including The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, The Leela Mumbai, The Leela Gandhinagar, Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre Complex, and The Imperial Club by The Leela.

Nair brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having held leadership roles at various Leela properties, including as General Manager of the award-winning The Leela Goa. His previous role as Senior Vice President of Operations at The Leela Corporate Office saw him managing and optimizing the performance of multiple properties within the group.

Throughout his career, Nair has been known for his visionary leadership and ability to spearhead significant projects, such as the repositioning of the F&B division at The Leela Mumbai and the enhancement of The Leela Goa. His leadership has earned him several prestigious awards, including Best GM—Luxury from Hotelier India in 2014, along with accolades from HOSI in 2015, CII in 2016, and Business World in 2017.

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Nair’s extensive experience is complemented by a strong academic background, which includes a postgraduate diploma in Hotel Management from IHM Trivandrum, a Bachelor of Arts from Mumbai University, and a General Manager’s certification from Cornell University, USA.

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Nair said, “I am delighted at the opportunity to work closely with our teams at the iconic Leela Ambience Gurugram & Leela Ambience Convention Hotel to offer a holistic luxury experience to our guests. I am certain The Leela’s core value of Athiti Devo Bhava (guest is god) will resonate in everything we do at our majestic hotels, and we will continue to push our boundaries to exceed our guests’ expectations from the world’s best brand, which exemplifies true Indian luxury.”

With Shridhar Nair at the helm, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences is set to continue its tradition of excellence in luxury hospitality, with a renewed focus on enhancing guest experiences across all touchpoints.


Holiday Inn Express Promotes Faisal Khan as Hotel Manager at Nashik Indira Nagar

Holiday Inn Express Promotes Faisal Khan as Hotel Manager at Nashik Indira Nagar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 26, 2025

Holiday Inn Express has announced the promotion of Faisal Khan to the position of Hotel Manager at Holiday Inn Express Nashik Indira Nagar, effective August 2025. Faisal has been a dedicated part of the Holiday Inn Express family since 2018, consistently demonstrating leadership, commitment, and a strong understanding of hotel operations throughout his journey with the brand.

In his previous role as Front Office Manager at Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwantpur, Faisal played a key role in improving guest satisfaction, strengthening team performance, and maintaining the brand’s service standards. With more than 14 years of hospitality experience, he brings deep knowledge of guest engagement, operations management, and team development. His leadership contributed to several achievements, including the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award (2023) and Best Department of the Year (2024).

In his new role, Faisal will lead the overall operations at Holiday Inn Express Nashik Indira Nagar, ensuring smooth guest experiences while aligning with IHG’s global commitment to quality, safety, and service excellence.

Sharing his thoughts on the promotion, Faisal Khan, Hotel Manager, Holiday Inn Express Nashik Indira Nagar said, “It has been an incredible journey with Holiday Inn Express over the past few years. The brand’s culture of growth and excellence has continually inspired me to deliver my best every day. I am grateful for this new opportunity and look forward to leading the team at Holiday Inn Express Nashik Indira Nagar to further strengthen guest satisfaction and operational excellence.”

This promotion reflects Holiday Inn Express’s commitment to recognising and nurturing talent within the organisation. It also highlights IHG’s ‘Room to Grow’ philosophy, which focuses on continuous learning, leadership development, and internal mobility. Faisal’s career journey stands as a strong example of how dedication and consistent performance are supported and rewarded with meaningful growth opportunities.


Chef Ashish Tiwari Leads ROOH San Francisco to Michelin Guide Recognition

Chef Ashish Tiwari Leads ROOH San Francisco to Michelin Guide Recognition

By Hariharan U

Published on November 25, 2025

ROOH San Francisco, the well-known progressive Indian restaurant in the Bay Area, is celebrating the work of its Executive Chef, Ashish Tiwari, whose culinary leadership has played a major role in the restaurant being featured in the Michelin Guide.

Chef Ashish leads the kitchen with a strong focus on technique, regional authenticity, and fresh, creative flavour ideas. His direction has helped ROOH San Francisco maintain its spot as one of the region’s most refined and modern Indian dining spaces.

The Michelin Guide recognition reflects his strength in building flavours, curating ingredients, and presenting dishes in a contemporary, global style, while still staying true to the soul of Indian cooking. Through his approach, diners get to experience Indian cuisine in a polished and elevated manner.

"Chef Ashish currently helms ROOH San Francisco, a restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide for its excellence," the restaurant announced. "This recognition reflects his ability to maintain world-class standards in flavor architecture, technique, ingredient curation, and guest experience. His leadership and innovations have been instrumental in positioning modern Indian cuisine among the Bay Area's most respected fine-dining offerings."

Sharing his thoughts on the achievement, Chef Ashish Tiwari said, "Being Michelin Guide–recommended is more than an award, it demonstrates that the culinary direction I provide at ROOH San Francisco meets the highest international benchmarks. Through this platform, I am actively shaping the global perception of Indian cuisine by presenting refined techniques, regional authenticity, and modern Californian ingredient integrations."

His work at ROOH focuses on balancing innovation with the emotional depth and cultural richness of Indian food. Each menu is designed to showcase India’s regional diversity in a fresh, season-driven format that fits naturally into the Californian dining landscape.

With Chef Ashish continuing to lead the kitchen, ROOH San Francisco remains committed to shaping the next chapter of contemporary Indian cuisine and maintaining its strong position in one of America’s most competitive food scenes.


Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa Appoints Mallika Chugh as Assistant Director of Marcom

Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa Appoints Mallika Chugh as Assistant Director of Marcom

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 24, 2025

Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Mallika Chugh as its assistant director of marketing & communications, adding depth to its leadership team as the resort continues to grow its presence among Rajasthan’s most charming luxury destinations. Known for her creative outlook and precise understanding of hospitality branding, Chugh brings strong experience across marketing strategy, communications and brand development.

Over the years, she has worked with leading luxury hotel brands, building a solid record in boosting visibility, launching impactful campaigns and crafting meaningful brand stories that connect with travellers. Her strength lies in blending storytelling with commercial strategy, ensuring every initiative carries both emotion and purpose.

Before joining Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa, Chugh worked with well-known hospitality brands where she handled marketing, PR and digital responsibilities across multiple properties. In her most recent role, she managed cluster marketing communications, successfully repositioning properties, creating destination-led campaigns and strengthening engagement across domestic and global markets.

In her new position at the resort, Chugh will lead all aspects of marketing and communications, including brand strategy, content creation, media relations, digital storytelling and partnerships. Her focus will be on shaping a strong brand identity that highlights the resort’s stunning architecture, desert setting and cultural charm, while positioning it as a must-visit luxury destination for travellers from India and around the world.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mallika Chugh to the Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa family. Her deep understanding of marketing, communications, and brand development, combined with her creative vision and strategic acumen, makes her a valuable addition to our leadership team. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and compelling narratives she will bring as we continue to elevate our brand and guest experience,” said Nikhil Kher, general manager at the hotel.

Speaking about her appointment, Chugh said, “Joining Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa is both a privilege and an exciting challenge. The property is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Rajasthan, its heritage, artistry, and warmth. My vision is to build a brand narrative that reflects this richness while positioning the resort as a global icon of luxury rooted in authenticity. I look forward to collaborating with a team that shares this passion for storytelling and excellence.”

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