The Leela Mumbai appoints Ms. Ridhima Barha as EAM – Rooms

The Leela Mumbai announced the appointment of Ms. Ridhima Barha as its EAM - Rooms. 

With over 16 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Ridhima brings deep expertise across rooms and front office operations, team leadership, and service excellence. Known for her structured approach and people-centric leadership style, she has consistently contributed to enhancing guest satisfaction, business acumen and operational efficiencies across leading hospitality brands. 

Prior to joining The Leela Mumbai, Ms. Barha was associated with Marriott International, where she most recently served as Room Division Manager, following a successful tenure as Front Office Manager. Her progression within the organization reflects her strong operational acumen and ability to lead diverse teams in dynamic, high-volume hotel environments. 

Ms. Barha has held key positions with esteemed hospitality brands including Marriott International Hotels, The Leela Mumbai, Trident Hotels and Shangri-la Hotels with unique blend of extensive experience with high end villa operations at Lohono Stays (by Isprava), contributing to enhancing guest satisfaction and portfolio expansion. Her professional journey from front office roles to senior leadership positions reflects her versatility, resilience, and commitment to service excellence. 

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Barha shared, “I am truly delighted to be stepping into this new chapter at The Leela Mumbai, a place that holds a very special place in my professional journey. Returning in a leadership capacity feels both humbling and inspiring. I look forward to collaborating with our talented teams to elevate the Rooms Division experience, blending personalized, intuitive service with strategic revenue excellence. Together, we will continue to strengthen our commitment to delivering refined Indian luxury while setting new benchmarks in operational distinction and guest satisfaction.” 

As part of The Leela Mumbai’s leadership team, Ms. Ridhima Barha’s extensive experience, operational insight, and passion for hospitality are poised to further strengthen the hotel’s legacy of refined luxury and exceptional guest experiences.

Shangri-La Muscat, Oman appoints New Executive Chef and Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage

April 2024: Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah and Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat have added two new leadership roles heading its culinary and Food and Beverage operations this March. Eric Fettke joins the complex with 640 rooms and 14 dining venues as the new Executive Chef. Nabiel El Nakib, no stranger to Shangri-La, moves from the sister company, the Jeddah property to Oman as the new Executive Assistant Manager in-charge of Food and Beverage operations.

Meet Nabiel El Nakib, Executive Assistant Manager, Food and Beverage, Shangri-La Muscat 

Nabiel El Nakib moved to Muscat from Shangri-La Jeddah where he played a crucial role in the hotel’s inaugural success during and post opening since 2021. Spearheading distinguished dining concepts like Shang Palace, Kaia, COPA, Niyyali, just to name a few, Nabiel has successfully reshaped Jeddah’s culinary scene with his commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences. Nabiel has also been commended Director of Food and Beverage in Saudi Arabia for Hotelier Magazine and nominated Shangri-La Jeddah’s dining venues in numerous restaurant categories such as Time Out.

“I am thrilled to join the team in Muscat and to bring some new concepts to the local dining scene and continue the path in shaping Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah and Al Husn as a key leading dining destination”, concluded Nabiel El- Nakib.

Nabiel career spans over two decades with roles in food and beverage across continents; the St Regis in Texas, the Fat Duck Group in UK where the restaurant was awarded it first Michelin-star in 2013 and ranked 54 in Top 100 UK restaurants in 2015, several key leadership positions across UAE at Shangri-La Dubai, Mariott hotels, and Shangri-La Jeddah.  

Meet Eric Fettke, Executive Chef, Shangri-La Muscat 

With an impressive 25-year culinary journey spanning Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa, Eric brings a wealth of expertise and experience to Shangri-La Muscat’s kitchen brigade. Previously holding the esteemed position of Executive Chef at the InterContinental Mauritius Resort, Eric's track record within the IHG family spans through the past 23 years. 

The forte of the seasoned Chef lies in managing large banquet events and during this tenure at IHG Vietnam in 2020, the hotel was awarded the Best Conference and MICE Hotel Vietnam and Best Business Hotel Vietnam by World Travel Awards multiple years in succession. 

Eric’s culinary abilities and leadership skills as well as his business acumen have been proven progressively over two decades by running successful and profitable kitchens while still delivering unique dining experiences at the highest level.

In his new capacity, the German and South African national will play an integral role in overseeing the kitchen operations and culinary management across the hotel's 14 dining venues including the internationally acclaimed venue Aangan by Rohit Ghai, the banquet catering functions, as well as its food safety management system.

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah and Shangri-La Al Husn are thrilled to welcome the two leaders within its executive team, stated Nick Flynn, Hotel Manager for Shangri-La Al Husn and further added, “we are very excited to have two Food and Beverage experts on board and who will be working strategically together to create new, innovative and promising culinary journeys for our guests and aligned to the hotel’s vision for delivering excellence, innovation and leaving a positive impact for our stakeholders.”

Devina Thapliyal appointed as EAM – Rooms of the Leela Mumbai

With her expertise in housekeeping, guest experience, and room division operations, Devina will prove to be an asset to the hotel.

The Leela Mumbai is delighted to announce the appointment of Devina Thapliyal as the new Executive Assistant Manager of Rooms. A seasoned hospitality professional, she brings with her over 15 years of rich experience and a wealth of expertise in housekeeping, guest experience, and room division operations.

At The Leela Mumbai, Devina’s core responsibilities will include executing the operations in alignment with the brand standards and strategies, tracking guest experiences, and consistent growth within the division.

Commenting on the appointment, Sameer Sud, General Manager of The Leela Mumbai, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Devina to our team. With her vast understanding of the hospitality industry paired with her skills, we are confident that her expertise and experience will prove to be an asset to the hotel.”

In the past, Devina has worked with prestigious brands like The Westin Goa, St. Regis Mumbai, JW Sahar, Taj Vivanta Delhi, Oberoi Gurugram, and Oberoi New Delhi. Before joining The Leela Mumbai, she worked as a Rooms Division Manager at The Westin Goa.

Devina is an alumnus of The Oberoi Center of Learning and Development. She has attained her bachelor’s degree from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Kolkata.

In her leisure time, Devina enjoys traveling to new destinations and exploring innovative foods and new restaurants.