By BW Hotelier PRABHAKAR SINGH has been appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences, the flagship property of AccorHotels in Eastern India. Singh will be responsible for guiding and motivating a team of 20 plus members of Sales & Marketing based in Kolkata and in three other metro cities in his current assignment. He will also provide innovative and inclusive leadership while capitalizing on his extensive knowledge and first-hand experience of handling different markets, segments and cultures. His previous assignment was at Vivanta by Taj ’ President, Mumbai as Director of Sales and Marketing. His tenure with Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces spans a period of 10 years across three geographies in the West, South and North of India with Taj Coromandel, Taj Club House, launching the 100th hotel of Taj Group in India ’ Vivanta by Taj ’ Gurgaon, NCR and Vivanta flagship Vivanta by Taj President, Mumbai. He has also worked with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts in Mumbai prior to his stint with the Taj Group.
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By BW Hotelier IN ORDER to offer hassle-free payments to its guests, V Resorts, a boutique chain of resorts in the leisure travel segment focusing on experiential holidays, has come out with a slew of payment options to make booking a vacation seamless. The company has a list of upscale properties in locations such as Sattal, Ramgarh, Kullu, Sariska, Nashik etc, each designed to provide the traveler with the best holiday experience. Booking a hotel is a task in itself and most often than not end up leaving the customer haggled. With the introduction of new payment options, V Resorts ensures that your vacation begins the moment you place a call to them. Types of payment options available:- Paytm Wallet V Resorts has partnered with Paytm to provide a secure online payment option. All you have to do is call the customer care, select the destination and pay through Paytm wallet. Your booking will be successful. Cash pick-up service People booking holidays from Delhi/NCR can now avail a cash pick-up service. Call customer care and choose the holiday destination. Select Cash-on-Delivery as an option, an executive will turn up at your doorstep to collect the cash. You will receive a holiday confirmation in your inbox. IVR Payment V Resorts understands nobody wants the hassle of booking a vacation. And thus they have introduced a seam less payment option for those wanting to pay by phone. Just call the customer care and select your destination. Then enter the credit card details and the one-time password and your holiday will be booked.
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By BW Hotelier ABDUL NASIR Ahmed Shaikh has recently joined Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan as the General Manager. Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Chakan Pune, he was the Director of Operations at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre where he led the operations teams to drive sales and service to excellence. Known for his excellent leadership skills, innovative thinking and creative approach, Nasir has over 15 years of work experience to his credit. Since his first stint at Le Royal Meridien in 2000 as a Management Trainee, Nasir has worked across various verticals in the hospitality sector with brands like the JW Marriott and Westin among others. Apart for having experience with Indian hotel, Nasir has also worked in international markets like Azerbaijan and Oman. He comes from a thorough hospitality background with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Catering Operations. When not pressed hard at work Nasir loves to spend time with family.
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By BW Hotelier AIANA HOTELS & Resorts L.L.C. has announced the signing of an agreement with Bengaluru-based Ferns Estates & Developers to manage and operate four new resorts in Karnataka. Scheduled to open in 2019, the first resort is set in 45 acres of verdant, hilly coffee plantation land in the district of Sakleshpur, approximately three hours away from Bengaluru. With special care taken to preserve the natural flora, fauna and topography, the resort will feature a 100 villas in the Phase I, set around 5 acres of lake front, uniquely designed using locally sourced material and ethnic architecture. Commenting on the development, Amruda Nair, Joint MD and CEO, Aiana Hotels & Resorts L .L .C (see photo) said, ’We are pleased to announce our association with Ferns Estates & Developers to develop a portfolio of hotels located in leisure destinations around Karnataka that will feature signature resorts with a distinct sense of tranquillity and a relaxed atmosphere. We believe there is immense potential in destinations that are driving distance from key cities and are looking forward to expanding our presence in South India with this partnership.’ According to Errol Fernandes, Chairman and MD, The Ferns Group, ’We are delighted to partner with Aiana Hotels & Resorts to bring a dynamic, new-offering to the resort market. This is the first time we are introducing a hybrid business model and believe that Sakleshpur is the perfect destination to announce our first resort. With our combined expertise in service and development and our commitment to innovation, we are confident that our fresh take on resort development will create lasting memories for our guests. ’ In addition to a full service resort development with recreational, spa and banqueting facilities, holiday home villas will also be sold under a fractional ownership model. Targeting weekend retreats, other destinations identified by the partners for expansion of the portfolio in Karnataka include a 30 acres site with direct frontage on the river Hemavathi and other hill stations and wildlife sanctuaries within a four hour driving distance from Bengaluru. Ferns Estates & Developers, headquartered in Bengaluru are pioneers in the development of gated communities. Both partners, Aiana Hotels & Resorts and Ferns Estates & Developers are set to offer unique experiences to their guests and will also offer them (lucrative investment opportunity) with their fractional ownership business model that delivers real estate and hospitality on the same platform.
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By BW Hotelier WITH AN experience of nine years in the hospitality industry, European Cuisine expert, Danish Merchant has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef (Cluster Role) at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet ’ Mumbai, Marriott Executive Apartments. Chef Merchant will be responsible to oversee the entire kitchen operation including the alternative restaurants and the crew kitchen by initially monitoring all food preparation, presentation and delivery over the course of the day. Prior to joining Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, he was profiled as Senior Sous Chef at JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar as a part of the pre-opening team. He was also associated with other prestigious brands like by Taj, Bangalore, The Leela Palace Hotel and Resorts Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon & Kempinski, New Delhi He is recognized for achieving a perfect synchronization of tradition and modernity in culinary creations through continuous research and dynamism. He is proficient at conveying complex menu concepts in simple yet compelling manner through knowledge gained by theoretical and practical experiences. Chef Merchant graduated in Hotel Management and Tourism in 2006 from Rizvi College of Hotel Management & Catering Studies, Mumbai. He loves comforting the guests with his communication skills as he is an affluent Hindi, English and Urdu speaker.
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By BW Hotelier SINCLAIRS HOTELS & Resorts has opened its seventh property, Sinclairs Tourist Resort Burdwan, West Bengal. Located on the Golden Quadrilateral NH-2, the resort is spread over nearly four acres of land. The resort is an ideal getaway for those visiting Burdwan, Santiniketan and Durgapur. According to Navin Suchanti, Managing Director, Sinclairs Hotels & Resorts, ’Burdwan is one of the largest and economically vibrant districts in West Bengal and we are proud that Sinclairs has created a landmark property in Burdwan town, which is the district headquarters. The premier facilities at the property will be a boon for the residents of Burdwan as they will no longer be required to travel all the way to Kolkata for hosting a quality event or a function. Moreover, people travelling to Burdwan on business or for a short break will have superior quality accommodation at Sinclairs. They will be spared the trouble of commuting between Kolkata and Burdwan the same day." The resort has 19 luxury rooms and a splendorous Maharaja suite. The rooms and the suite are a fine statement of luxury and comfort. Other facilities include a fitness center, yoga room, swimming pool, squash court, badminton court, play zone and a reading lounge. Food and beverages offer a number of choices. The Palm Terrace is a multi-cuisine restaurant with an outdoor seating. Saffron is a fine dining Indian specialty restaurant and O3 is a lounge bar serving a variety of drinks. Gardenia is a fast food cafe, good for a quick bite. A defining feature of the property is the large banqueting and conferencing facilities. Banquet hall Regal l & II together with the adjoining lawns can host parties up to 2,000 persons.
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By BW Hotelier ABHISHEK SAHAI has been appointed as the new General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Agra. In his new role, Sahai will effectively leverage his experience of managing diverse leadership responsibilities of Guest Services, Rooms Division Management, F&B Operations, Administration, Project Management, conceptualizing events, driving revenues and managing human assets at Courtyard by Marriott, Agra. Sahai has over 15 years of experience in the core hospitality and customer oriented operations with luxury hotel chains like The Oberoi Group and The Leela Hotels. Prior to joining Marriott International, Sahai held the role of General Manager at The Leela Palace Udaipur. He worked with The Leela Group for over five years. Earlier he was associated with The Oberoi Group for a decade, where he had started his professional career. Sahai has studied an Executive General Management Program from IIM Lucknow, holds a post graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management from Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development, New Delhi, India as well as completed a 3-Year diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology from National Council of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Delhi under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. He also underwent Management Development Program from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Center of Executive Education.
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By BW Hotelier FAISAL NEFEES has taken over as the Director Operations at Hotel The Royal Plaza.’?Faisal has more than 15 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.-He is a consistent performer with a proven track record of increasing revenues and streamlining workflow.-In his role as D, he will be responsible for developing procedures, business finance, oversee day-to-day operations and operational policies.-In his previous role at Hotel The Royal Plaza, Nafees was Executive Assistant Manager, he-set up the city’s highest lounge and bar ’Sky’. Nafees has in the course of his career, trained well on the key management disciplines of Operations, Sales & Marketing, Administration, Finance and Training, and has successfully handled multiple roles and responsibilities at the various organisations where he has worked. He has also been instrumental in planning and implementing effective training modules and team-building initiatives in order to ensure a conducive work environment. Nafees has worked with some of the most renowned names in the hospitality industry, including Lebua Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Group, Radisson, Elevate Nightclub, Taj Hotels and The Park, New Delhi. Over the span of his career, he has worked in numerous mid-and-senior management capacities, which has helped him to fully understand and appreciate the roles and responsibilities of all key positions within the hospitality space.
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By BW Hotelier TAJ HOTELS Resorts & Palaces announced its latest addition with the opening Vivanta by Taj ’ Guwahati, Assam. This hotel will be a doorway to the unexplored and magical North East India. Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam formally opened the hotel by unveiling a plaque in the presence of Cyrus P. Mistry, Group Chairman, Tata Group; Rakesh Sarna, Managing Director and CEO, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and distinguished guests. Gogoi said ’Pragjyotishpura-in-ancient Assam now called Guwahati-in the modern era is the largest city of-Assam, a major riverine port and one of the fastest growing cities in India. It is the natural crossroads for both business and leisure. This is a proud moment for Assam and I want to thank Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr. Krishna Kumar and now Mr. Cyrus Mistry without whose support this would not have been possible. The number of tourists we welcome to Assam is growing year-on-year and it is a great pleasure to partner with Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces to serve this growth with the new Vivanta by Taj’Guwahati, Assam.’ Sarna said, ’The Taj has a proud history of putting undiscovered destinations on the global map. We are delighted to enhance our presence in the North East with the new addition - Vivanta by Taj ’ Guwahati, Assam. We are grateful to the Government of Assam for all their support in this significant hotel development and we are committed to contributing towards Assam’s thriving industry and its rich culture.’ ’I would like to compliment The Government of Assam for its unstinted support and commitment in bringing new infrastructure projects that will herald a new era of peace, progress and prosperity for the North Eastern region. I firmly believe that the launch of Vivanta by Taj ’ Guwahati, Assam will put this city on the convention and tourist map,’ said Ranjit Barthakur, Investment Advisor to the Honourable Chief Minister of Assam. Speaking on the launch of the hotel, Krishan Aggarwal, General Manager, Vivanta by Taj’Guwahati, Assam said, ’We eagerly look forward to welcoming guests to Vivanta by Taj ’ Guwahati, Assam. The hotel is an ideal option for both business and leisure travellers as Guwahati is the gateway to both Shillong and the famous Kaziranga Sanctuary. It also offers guests a choice for successful conferences and memorable weddings.’ Vivanta by Taj’Guwahati, Assam features 150 guestrooms. The hotel’s signature oriental restaurant Umami, serves Japanese and Chinese cuisine centred on the Umami principle. All-day dining at Seven is an ode to the seven sister states of the North East, offering inventive takes on the simple and rooted culinary traditions of the area as well as familiar global cuisine including Indian, Mediterranean and pan-Asian. The Tea Lounge at Vivanta by Taj’Guwahati, Assam promises the finest exploratory tea experience for its guests. The bar, Octave pays tribute to the rich musical heritage of the region with a showcase stage for promising local musicians. Vivanta by Taj’Guwahati, Assam offers one of the largest banqueting spaces in North East India with over 25,000 sq. ft. of flexible conference and meeting space, including a pillar-less ballroom of over 6,000 sq. ft., it is the ideal venue for select meetings, conferences and private events. Photo: L-R Cyrus Mistry, Group Chairman Tata Group, Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam, Rakesh Sarna, MD & CEO, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces at the inauguration of the Vivanta by Taj Guwahati.
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By BW Hotelier THE GVK Lounge at Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in Mumbai has been selected as the ’World’s Leading Airport Lounge ’ First Class 2015’ at the recently concluded World Travel Awards in Morocco. The GVK Lounge stands tall amongst some of the world’s best airport/airline lounges, which were nominated in this category. The GVK Lounge qualified for nomination in the world category by virtue of winning the award for ’Asia’s Leading Airport Lounge’ at the ’World Travel Awards - Asia and Australasia’ in Hong Kong on October 29, 2015.-The GVK Lounge is operated by Travel Food Services Limited (TFS) and Performa. V. Sanjay Reddy, Managing Director, Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd., said,’The GVK Lounge blends the finest of Indian hospitality with luxurious, world-class design and amenities. It embodies our commitment to delight our guests and provide them with every comfort during their stay at the airport. We are setting new global benchmarks in hospitality within airports and we will keep raising the bar in the years to come. Our efforts should guide us towards a time in near future when passengers will look at the airport not merely as a stop, but as a destination in itself.’ Gaurav Dewan, COO, TFS said,-"The GVK Lounge was designed to offer essential facilities with a lavish touch - a restful, luxurious experience that would help passengers unwind from travel-induced stress. It is the perfect gateway where they can engage in work or indulge in culture, cuisine or pleasure, as their disposition may be. The World Travel Awards are regarded as the Oscars of the tourism industry and we could not have hoped for a better endorsement of our efforts and services.’ Beat Ehlers, Managing Director, Performa, said, ’We are elated at being recognized for the unrivalled premium customer experience we have created by working with our partners GVK and TFS. The GVK Lounge concept is based on personal interaction, warmth and deep understanding of the mind-set of our guests. The award is a toast to the success of the ideas and insights that went into making the lounge.’ The experience at the exclusive First Class (FC) section is akin to a five-star hotel with highly personalized service and care to details. The service concept is based on maximum comfort, providing exclusive and the highest level of attention without compromising privacy. FC travellers enjoy high-class amenities such as - la carte dining, individual spa treatments, relaxation rooms, shower facilities, concierge services, etc. The kitchen crew, comprising a strong set of Indian and international talent, transform the - la carte dining area into a gourmet restaurant upholding the highest culinary standards. The service personnel in the FC section consist exclusively of highly trained, multi-lingual Senior Attach-s with background in the hospitality industry. One has to truly experience The GVK Lounge to believe it.
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