The Leela Palace Jaipur Welcomes New Leaders Across Key Roles

The Leela Palace Jaipur Welcomes New Leaders Across Key Roles

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 12, 2024

The Leela Palace Jaipur has fortified its leadership team with four new appointments, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to elevate the luxury hotel's offerings and operations.

Sohil Bhargava, Director of Food and Beverage

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With over nine years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sohil Bhargava has an impressive track record working with esteemed establishments like Raffles, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, and Andaz. Most recently, he excelled as the Senior Food and Beverage Manager at The DLF Camellias, where he implemented innovative strategies and created exceptional dining experiences. A graduate of the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Bhargava specializes in F&B operations, business strategy, and leadership.

In his new role, Bhargava will drive the culinary vision at The Leela Palace Jaipur, focusing on elevating the food and beverage experience to create unforgettable moments for guests while contributing to the hotel's overall growth and reputation.

Varun Parashar, Executive Chef

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A seasoned culinary expert, Varun Parashar brings a rich background that includes roles at Raa Atoll, Maldives; South Male Atoll, Maldives; Trident Bandra Kurla; and The Oberoi Rajvilas. With a proven ability to enhance team performance and deliver exceptional culinary standards, Parashar is a graduate of the Oberoi Center for Learning & Development and holds a bachelor's degree from IHM Lucknow.

As the Executive Chef, Parashar will lead the culinary operations at The Leela Palace Jaipur, curating exceptional menus that celebrate regional flavors while maintaining the highest culinary standards.

Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Director of Finance

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Sandeep Kumar Sharma joins with extensive experience in financial management, having held key positions at Hilton Jaipur, The Leela Palace New Delhi, and Trident properties in Chennai and Hyderabad. Sharma’s ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and his expertise in strategic planning have been hallmarks of his career.

A commerce graduate from Rajasthan University, Sharma will oversee financial strategies at The Leela Palace Jaipur, ensuring the hotel's fiscal health and operational efficiency.

Tanuj Shokeen, Director of Sales and Marketing

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With over 15 years in the hospitality industry, Tanuj Shokeen has a proven track record in driving sales performance and engaging stakeholders across various markets. Before joining The Leela Palace Jaipur, he served as the Director of Sales at Taj - Jai Mahal Palace Jaipur. Shokeen holds a PGDM in Marketing and International Business from AIMA and a bachelor's degree in commerce from Delhi University.

In his new role, Shokeen will focus on enhancing sales strategies, revenue management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring The Leela Palace Jaipur strengthens its position as a leader in the luxury hospitality market.

These appointments mark a significant step forward for The Leela Palace Jaipur, as the new leaders bring their expertise and passion to take the property’s guest experiences and operational excellence to new heights.


Four Points by Sheraton Appoints Chef Saroj Kumar Sah as Executive Chef

Four Points by Sheraton Appoints Chef Saroj Kumar Sah as Executive Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Serviced Apartments has announced the appointment of Chef Saroj Kumar Sah as its new Executive Chef, marking a key leadership addition to the hotel’s culinary team.

Chef Saroj brings over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with renowned hotel brands in India and abroad. His professional journey includes roles at Grand Hyatt Goa, Hyatt Regency Ludhiana, Park Regis Goa, and Le Méridien Nagpur, where he played a key role in delivering consistent dining experiences and developing innovative menus. His international exposure with P&O Cruises (UK/USA) has further strengthened his ability to blend global flavours with local culinary traditions.

Over the years, Chef Saroj has led several operational and culinary initiatives, including themed buffet concepts, outdoor catering services, and standardised recipe systems aimed at maintaining quality and consistency. He has been recognised as Employee of the Month at Grand Hyatt Goa and is also a certified Hyatt trainer, reflecting his strong focus on team development and skill-building.

His appointment aligns with Four Points by Sheraton’s vision of enhancing its food and beverage offerings while delivering approachable, high-quality dining experiences. Known for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to continuous learning, Chef Saroj brings a balance of creativity and operational discipline to the role.

Outside the kitchen, Chef Saroj enjoys music and travel, interests that continue to inspire his culinary ideas and approach to hospitality. The team at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Serviced Apartments looks forward to his contribution in shaping the hotel’s evolving culinary identity.


The LaLiT Jaipur Appoints Soumyajit Ghosh as Hotel Manager

The LaLiT Jaipur Appoints Soumyajit Ghosh as Hotel Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Soumyajit Ghosh as the Hotel Manager of The LaLiT Jaipur, strengthening the leadership team at the heritage luxury property in Rajasthan.

With over 16 years of experience in luxury and international hospitality, Mr. Ghosh brings strong expertise in Rooms Division operations, guest experience strategy, large-team leadership, and operational excellence. His appointment comes at a time when The LaLiT Jaipur continues to enhance its service standards and elevate its guest offerings in one of India’s most culturally rich destinations.

Mr. Ghosh has held leadership roles with several renowned hospitality brands, including ITC Hotels, Novotel Kolkata, Sheraton Hyderabad, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru and Bhopal, along with a significant tenure with GMR’s airport hospitality vertical at IGI Airport, New Delhi. Across these roles, he has consistently delivered improvements in service quality, introduced efficient operational systems, supported revenue optimisation, and built high-performing teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “At The LaLiT, we strongly believe in nurturing talent from within and creating leadership pathways for our people. We are delighted to promote Mr. Soumyajit Ghosh, who has been an integral part of The LaLiT family and most recently served as Resident Manager at The LaLiT Mumbai, to the role of Hotel Manager and Unit Head at The LaLiT Jaipur. His strong operational acumen, people-centric leadership style, and deep understanding of luxury hospitality make him an excellent fit for this role. We are confident that under his leadership, The LaLiT Jaipur will continue to set new benchmarks in guest experience while staying true to our ethos of refined Indian hospitality.”

Mr. Ghosh’s appointment further reflects The LaLiT Jaipur’s commitment to delivering culturally rooted, personalised, and immersive luxury experiences, inspired by the grandeur and heritage of Rajasthan.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Soumyajit Ghosh said, “I am truly honoured to join The LaLiT Jaipur, a property that beautifully reflects Rajasthan’s heritage, architecture, and gracious hospitality. My vision is to enhance the hotel’s guest experience by combining heartfelt service with operational precision and innovative practices. I look forward to working closely with our talented team to deliver memorable moments for every guest and to strengthen The LaLiT’s legacy as one of Jaipur’s most distinguished luxury destinations.”

With this leadership appointment, The LaLiT Jaipur enters a new phase focused on growth, innovation, and elevated guest engagement, while continuing to celebrate the spirit of Indian luxury hospitality.


Holiday Inn Express Appoints Dattatraya P. Auti as General Manager of Pune Pimpri Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Appoints Dattatraya P. Auti as General Manager of Pune Pimpri Hotel

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has announced the appointment of Dattatraya P. Auti as the General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Pune Pimpri, effective 16 December 2025. The appointment strengthens the brand’s leadership team as it continues to expand its footprint across key business hubs in India.

With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Dattatraya brings deep expertise across hotel operations, guest experience, and team leadership. His understanding of budget and economy hotel formats is expected to play a key role in driving operational excellence and guest satisfaction at the Pune Pimpri property, located in one of the city’s prominent industrial and commercial zones.

Prior to this role, Dattatraya successfully led Holiday Inn Express Nashik and Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwantpur, where he was instrumental in improving operational efficiency and enhancing overall guest experience. Before joining IHG, he held multiple leadership roles with Ginger Hotels (an IHCL brand) across Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, and Indore, building a strong foundation in managing high-performance hotel teams.

Over the years, his contributions have been recognised with several industry accolades. He received the Taj Award for Business Excellence for Best Housekeeping Department in the Budget Segment (2014–2015) and was also nominated at the BW Hotelier Awards 2022 in the Budget to Economy Hotel category.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Dattatraya P. Auti said, “I am delighted to take on the role of General Manager at Holiday Inn Express Pune Pimpri. Having been associated with the brand, I truly value its commitment to offering smart stays that meet the needs of modern travellers. I look forward to enhancing guest experiences, strengthening operational excellence, and contributing to the hotel’s continued success.”

An alumnus of NIBR College, Pune, Dattatraya holds a degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, along with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Pune. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated strong capabilities in hotel operations, financial management, and people leadership.

With this appointment, Holiday Inn Express Pune Pimpri aims to further elevate its offering of comfort, convenience, and reliable service for both business and leisure travellers visiting Pune.

The move also reflects IHG’s “Room to Grow” philosophy, which focuses on nurturing talent and supporting internal career progression. Dattatraya’s journey within the organisation highlights IHG’s commitment to recognising potential, encouraging growth, and creating long-term career opportunities for its people.

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