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By Nishang Narayan
Published on June 19, 2024
Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Philipp Knuepfer as the new Chief Operating Officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts. With over 20 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Philipp will play a key role in supporting the growth of Sunset Hotels & Resorts and overseeing global operations, solidifying SHG’s reputation as a leader in the hospitality industry.
The strategic hire follows SHG’s recent announcement of the new Sunset Hotels & Resorts and an ambitious expansion plan to develop, open, and operate 20 new hotels by the end of 2025. The beginning of 2024 saw SHG accelerate its hotel portfolio expansion by acquiring the renowned Gran Hotel La Florida in Barcelona, which is set to be renovated in time for its 100-year anniversary in 2025. Sunset Hotels & Resorts currently operates a portfolio of five hotels, with a strong pipeline of projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Philipp joins SHG from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he served as Area Vice President and General Manager, successfully managing the group’s portfolio across Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. His tenure with Mandarin Oriental included senior management positions in Hawaii, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Washington D.C., and Boston. Philipp's strategic capabilities and commercial expertise in both developed and developing markets will be essential in contributing to SHG’s growth and long-term success.
A German national, Philipp holds a Hotel Management degree from the International School for Hotel Business in Germany and an MBA from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. He is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School in Ithaca, New York, and has completed advanced leadership education at the London Business School and Columbia University.
Assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer, Philipp will be based out of SHG’s Singapore office, adding value for the Group’s investors and stakeholders in Asia. SHG has already established a solid presence in South Asia with homegrown brands like Attiko, Azure Beach, and Hanu coming soon to Vietnam, and the highly acclaimed hotspot SUSHISAMBA set to open in the Capital Tower building in Singapore in July. Asia is a key market for SHG, promising an exciting pipeline of extraordinary lifestyle hospitality experiences in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Philipp Knuepfer, COO of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, SHG, expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “I’m excited to be joining a talented team in a company with such an impressive global footprint and an enviable reputation as a leader in the hospitality industry. My focus is to support the growth of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, further cementing its reputation as one of the leading luxury hotel providers committed to delivering pioneering hotel concepts and extraordinary lifestyle hospitality experiences around the world. I can’t wait to continue and develop the incredible work that SHG has been doing.”
Jaime Buxo Clos, CEO of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, SHG, welcomed Philipp on board, saying, “It’s my pleasure to have Philipp join our growing team. He is a values-driven business leader with a diverse background of experiences and an excellent track record of delivering results in the hospitality industry. Our new COO will play a fundamental role in driving the growth of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, while further elevating the Group’s presence in Asia.”
About Sunset Hospitality Group:
Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) was founded in 2011 with a vision to create unique hospitality experiences around the world, ranging from resorts and beach clubs to restaurants and nightlife venues. Since then, the group has grown to become a leading hospitality investment and management company developing new and pioneering concepts and acclaimed multinational brands. SHG has a presence in 17 countries with a proven record in delivering high-quality services at exceptional locations. SHG’s portfolio includes renowned concepts such as METT Hotels & Resorts, Azure Beach, Ammos, Drift Beach Club, AURA, SUSHISAMBA, DREAM, L’Amo Bistro del Mare, Mott 32, Black Tap, Lola Taberna Española, Goldfish, Isola, Raise Fitness & Wellness, and many more.
2023 saw the opening of Azure Beach Marbella, Isola Marbella, Bar de Lola Marbella, Mott 32 Dubai, Signor Sassi Dubai, METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella, Yalikavak Marina Hotel Bodrum, Mood Jordan, Raise Marbella, and Santana Bali. For more information, visit Sunset Hospitality Group.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Sara Barrow at sara.barrow@sunsethospitality.com or +971529254615
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By Hariharan U
Published on September 30, 2025
The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences has strengthened its leadership team with two key appointments, Uma Mahesh Rao as Executive Housekeeper and Siddharth Khurana as Front Office Manager. Both bring extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, marking a step forward in the hotel’s mission to deliver exceptional service and personalised guest experiences.
Uma Mahesh Rao, with over two decades of experience in housekeeping at top luxury hotels including The Orchid Mumbai, The Westin Mumbai Garden City, and JW Marriott Mumbai, has been recognised as Hotelier of the Year – Best Housekeeper (2018). At The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, he will lead housekeeping and laundry operations, continuing the brand’s legacy of operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
Siddharth Khurana joins as Front Office Manager, bringing experience across Hyatt Hotels in Gurgaon, Amritsar, New Delhi, and Ludhiana. Known for enhancing guest loyalty, service innovations, and managing large teams, he will oversee front office operations, ensuring seamless and personalised experiences for both corporate and leisure travellers.
Virender Razdan, General Manager, said, “We are delighted to welcome Uma Mahesh and Siddharth to our leadership team. Their passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our brand ethos. We are confident they will play a pivotal role in strengthening our guest experience and service standards.”
These appointments underline The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru’s dedication to maintaining world-class service, operational efficiency, and unparalleled luxury hospitality.
About The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences:Located within Bengaluru’s Bhartiya City SEZ, the hotel features 281 elegantly appointed rooms designed for both business and leisure travellers. Dining options include Quattro (all-day dining), The Lotus Oriental (Pan-Asian cuisine), Falak (North Indian cuisine, ranked among Condé Nast Traveller 2023 top 27), and The Library Bar. Strategically near the IT corridor, Financial District, and the airport, the hotel is recognised for its luxury, convenience, and service excellence, earning accolades such as the Times Food & Nightlife Award and Travel + Leisure India’s Best Leisure Hotel.
Published on September 29, 2025
The Ritz-Carlton, Pune has announced the elevation of Sangram Raje to director of sales. With more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, Raje brings a strong record of building client relationships, driving revenue, and positioning hotels as leading destinations.
In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, and brand management, working closely with the senior leadership team to design and implement growth strategies. His promotion reflects his consistent performance, leadership skills, and ability to deliver results in a highly competitive market.
Raje joined The Ritz-Carlton, Pune in February 2024 and has since played a vital role in leading corporate sales, cross-selling Marriott Hotels across India, and building long-term partnerships with top corporate clients. His efforts have significantly boosted revenue, enhanced guest satisfaction, and strengthened the hotel’s reputation among both business and leisure travellers.
Before joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, he served as associate director of sales at The Westin, Pune Koregaon Park. His career also includes sales roles at Marriott Suites Pune, JW Marriott Pune, and Spice Jet Airlines, giving him a diverse background in both hospitality and aviation.
His elevation highlights The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding leadership that contributes to its continued growth as a luxury brand in India.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Hyatt Regency Chennai has announced the promotion of Lakshmi Nandagopal to the role of Director of Human Resources, marking a significant milestone in her two-decade-long career in people management and organisational excellence. In her new capacity, she will focus on strategic workforce planning, employee well-being, leadership development, and nurturing an inclusive workplace culture that empowers associates to excel.
Nandagopal joined Hyatt Regency Chennai in January 2023 as Human Resources Manager, and within a short span, she has made a remarkable impact. Known for her strategic vision and empathetic leadership, she has successfully driven initiatives in talent acquisition, workforce engagement, payroll management, and succession planning. Her proactive approach in fostering transparency, inclusivity, and professional growth has established her as a trusted leader within the organisation.
Her career reflects a strong passion for people development and aligning HR strategies with business goals. Prior to Hyatt, she held leadership positions with Radisson Blu City Centre, Holiday Inn OMR IT Expressway (IHG Group), The Ascott Limited – Somerset Greenways Chennai, and Marriott International. Across these roles, she has played a pivotal role in shaping high-performance teams, improving employee morale, and building robust HR practices that enhanced both satisfaction and success.
Nandagopal’s track record includes leading large-scale recruitment drives, introducing associate welfare programmes such as food festivals, sports events, and Celebrate Service Week, and creating communication forums that connected associates with leadership. She has also championed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, strengthening the hotel’s community ties. Her ability to manage two pre-opening hotels while delivering HR projects on schedule further highlights her organisational skills and dedication.
Commenting on her promotion, Ruban Das, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Chennai, said, “Lakshmi’s leadership is rooted in empathy, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to people. Her promotion is not only a recognition of her past achievements but also a reflection of the trust we place in her to lead our Human Resources function into an exciting future. We are confident that she will continue to inspire associates and contribute immensely to the hotel’s success.”
With this promotion, Hyatt Regency Chennai reinforces its commitment to fostering leadership from within and creating an empowering workplace culture for its associates.
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