The Serai & Barefoot Resorts Appoint Prachi Tandon as GM – Marketing & Communications

The Serai & Barefoot Resorts Appoint Prachi Tandon as GM – Marketing & Communications

By Hariharan U

Published on September 9, 2025

The Serai & Barefoot Resorts has announced the appointment of Prachi Tandon as General Manager, Marketing & Communications, further strengthening its leadership team and brand positioning in the luxury leisure segment.

With over 16 years of experience across luxury, hospitality, and entertainment marketing, Prachi is known for her expertise in growth marketing, digital storytelling, media relations, and brand communication. She has previously worked with leading brands including The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, Raffles (Accor), Conrad Hotels & Resorts, PVR- The Luxury Collection, and The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts.

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Bringing together strategic precision and creative excellence, she has built high-performing teams, designed impactful campaigns, and crafted brand narratives that balance business acumen with artistry. At The Serai & Barefoot Resorts, Prachi will focus on shaping the brand voice, enhancing guest engagement, and elevating the experiential luxury quotient.

Welcoming her to the team, Malavika Hedge, Director, Café Coffee Day Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are delighted to welcome Prachi Tandon to The Serai & Barefoot Resorts leadership team. Her expertise in marketing, digital innovation, and brand storytelling, combined with her ability to elevate luxury experiences, makes her an invaluable addition as we strengthen our presence in the growing leisure segment”.

Sharing her excitement, Prachi Tandon added, “I am truly excited to join The Serai & Barefoot Resorts at such a dynamic time for the industry. With the leisure segment witnessing remarkable growth, there is immense opportunity to craft elevated experiences that resonate with discerning audiences. I look forward to contributing to the journey of innovation, excellence, and strengthening its luxury presence in this evolving landscape”.

About The Serai & Barefoot Resorts:
Part of Coffee Day Enterprises, The Serai & Barefoot Resorts offer a blend of authentic experiences and refined comfort. The Serai spans Chikmagalur’s lush coffee plantations, Kabini’s riverfront wilderness, and Bandipur’s tiger reserve, while Barefoot at Havelock in the Andamans brings barefoot luxury to the pristine Radhanagar Beach, ranked among Asia’s finest. Together, they embody understated elegance, sustainability, and unforgettable escapes.


Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Deepak Bothra as Corporate General Manager

Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Deepak Bothra as Corporate General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 22, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Deepak Bothra as its Corporate General Manager, as the brand continues to expand across the Eastern Himalayan region. The move comes as part of the company’s efforts to strengthen its operational leadership and maintain consistency across its growing portfolio.

Deepak Bothra brings close to three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, with a strong background in hotel operations, pre-opening projects, quality control, and revenue management. Throughout his career, he has worked with several international and regional brands, taking on senior roles and contributing to the successful launch and turnaround of multiple properties.

In his new role, he will lead operational strategy across Summit’s properties, with a focus on improving service standards and overall performance. His responsibilities will also include refining systems, strengthening quality benchmarks, and ensuring a consistent guest experience as the brand expands its footprint in Sikkim, Darjeeling, and other parts of the Northeast.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, "Deepak brings a rare combination of operational depth and quality-driven thinking. As we continue to expand our network across the Northeast, strengthening internal systems and service standards becomes critical. His experience in building and refining hotel operations will play a key role in driving consistency and long-term performance across our portfolio."

With this appointment, Summit Hotels & Resorts aims to further streamline its operations while supporting its long-term growth plans in the region.


Holiday Inn Gurugram Appoints Rishabh Jain

Holiday Inn Gurugram Appoints Rishabh Jain

By Hariharan U

Published on April 20, 2026

Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 has announced the appointment of Rishabh Jain as its new General Manager, marking a strategic leadership addition as the property looks to strengthen its operations and market positioning.

With over 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rishabh brings a balanced mix of operational expertise, sales leadership, and strategic insight to the role. His appointment aligns with the hotel’s focus on driving performance while maintaining strong service standards.

Prior to this, he served as Hotel Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Jaipur, where he played a key role during the pre-opening phase and later led the hotel’s growth trajectory over three years. His experience in handling both launch and scale-up phases adds depth to his leadership profile.

In his new role, Rishabh will oversee all aspects of operations at Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, including financial performance, team development, guest experience, and overall brand positioning in a competitive market.

He also brings prior experience with IHG Hotels & Resorts, having spent nearly six years across multiple cities in key operational and leadership roles. Over the years, he has been associated with leading hospitality brands such as Taj Hotels, Marriott International, and The Lalit, further strengthening his industry exposure.

Known for his collaborative leadership style, Rishabh has consistently focused on service excellence while delivering strong business outcomes. His expertise spans hotel pre-openings, business ramp-ups, post-pandemic recovery strategies, as well as revenue management and sales operations.

Academically, he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Tourism Management from Vivekanand Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management, Rajkot.

Commenting on his appointment, Rishabh said, “I am delighted to join Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 and look forward to working with the team to build on the hotel’s strong legacy, deliver memorable guest experiences, and drive sustained growth.”

Welcoming him to the role, Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager, South West Asia at IHG and General Manager at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar, noted that  Rishabh’s leadership capabilities and deep operational understanding make him well-suited to lead the property into its next phase of growth.


Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 18, 2026

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad has announced the promotion of Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef, marking an important step in his journey with the property. The move recognises his contribution to shaping the hotel’s culinary identity and his consistent focus on innovation.

Chef Suresh, who was previously serving as Chef de Cuisine, has been leading the culinary direction at Mazzo, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Over time, he has brought a fresh perspective to South Indian cuisine, presenting it in a way that connects tradition with a more contemporary style.

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A graduate of Oriental Catering College of Hotel Management, Madurai, Chef Suresh combines strong technical knowledge with a personal approach to cooking. His philosophy is built around the idea that every dish tells a story, drawing inspiration from the cultural roots of Madurai, the coastal flavours of Kerala, and his Malaysian background. This mix reflects clearly in his menus, which offer a modern take on familiar South Indian dishes.

During his time at Mazzo, he has introduced a range of curated dining experiences that have helped strengthen the restaurant’s presence in Hyderabad. From traditional Onam Sadhyas to specially designed Navratri menus featuring over 40 saatvik dishes, his work highlights both cultural authenticity and thoughtful presentation. Dishes like Venad Paal Konju, jackfruit masala wrapped in banana leaf, and his Malabar Feast have stood out for bringing together familiar flavours with a new approach.

His role has also been key in refreshing Mazzo’s overall menu, turning it into a go-to destination for modern South Indian dining. By combining regional influences with evolving culinary techniques, the restaurant continues to appeal to a wide range of guests.

Chef Suresh’s work has also been recognised at a national level, including the Chef of the Year award at the Restaurant India Awards 2026.

In his new role as Head Chef, he will lead the overall culinary operations of the property, focusing on strengthening its food and beverage offerings while continuing to highlight regional Indian cuisines through creative and engaging dining experiences.

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