Fairmont Udaipur Palace Announces Harsh Champawat as Hotel Manager of this magnificent new destination

Udaipur, September 2025 – Fairmont Udaipur Palace is delighted to announce the appointment of Harsh Champawat as Hotel Manager of this magnificent 327-key destination in the Aravalli Hills. With over a decade of distinguished experience across India and international markets, Harsh brings to the role a rare blend of operational mastery, strategic foresight, and a passion for elevating the art of luxury hospitality. His dynamic leadership and commitment to excellence position him to further shape Fairmont Udaipur Palace into one of the country’s most coveted addresses for celebration and indulgence.

As a key member of the pre-opening leadership team, Harsh has already played a pivotal role in establishing the resort’s service ethos, driving operational performance, and curating guest experiences that balance grandeur with warmth. His leadership is rooted in empowerment, precision, and purpose—qualities that define the guest journey at this modern palace.

Before joining Fairmont Udaipur, Harsh held the position of Hotel Manager at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York, a legendary Manhattan landmark where he led operations with quiet elegance, upholding its storied reputation and successfully delivering Taj’s signature hospitality in a global context. His tenure showcased his ability to lead high-performing teams while ensuring experiences steeped in heritage, refinement, and consistency.

Harsh’s journey through hospitality began with Taj Hotels as a Management Trainee, progressing through some of the group’s most iconic properties including Umaid Bhawan Palace, Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, and Taj Palace New Delhi. His early expertise in Food & Beverage operations evolved into a broader general management role as Director of Operations at Taj Palace New Delhi, where he gained comprehensive experience across rooms division, revenue, and events. His international exposure at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate and St. James’ Court, London further sharpened his understanding of global luxury clientele and market dynamics.

At Fairmont Udaipur Palace, Harsh’s leadership is anchored in three pillars: uncompromising service standards, transformative guest experiences, and colleague empowerment. He envisions the palace as a stage for immersive luxury—where every moment, whether a curated arrival ritual, a private dining experience, or an elaborate celebration, is crafted with detail and meaning.

In a hospitality landscape increasingly defined by personalization, cultural authenticity, and experiences with soul, Harsh is committed to positioning Fairmont Udaipur Palace as a destination that lingers in memory—where opulence meets intimacy, and grandeur is made personal. His approach reflects not only a dedication to excellence but also a belief that the truest form of luxury is one that resonates deeply, long after a guest’s stay has ended.

Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Amitesh Virdi as Director of Culinary

Udaipur,August’2025 – Fairmont Udaipur Palace is pleased to announce the appointment of Amitesh Virdi as Director of Culinary. With over 24 years of experience across some of India’s most prestigious hospitality brands, Amitesh brings with him a rare blend of global exposure, deep-rooted culinary knowledge, and a passion for authentic, culturally immersive dining experiences.

Amitesh’s culinary journey began with an early fascination for food and hospitality, leading him to pursue professional training under the aegis of the Indian Tourism Ministry. Over the years, he honed his expertise across Indian, European, Italian, Sichuan cuisines—shaping his distinctive culinary voice through acclaimed roles at Grand Hyatt Delhi and Mumbai, JW Marriott Juhu,Sahar, Mussoorie and Pune, Le Méridien Delhi, and the award-winning Punjab Grill, where he served as Executive Chef.

At Fairmont Udaipur Palace, Amitesh leads a visionary culinary program that blends the rich royal heritage of Rajasthan with global culinary artistry. His approach is rooted yet refined—celebrating time-honored recipes and regional ingredients while embracing modern techniques, dramatic presentation, and sustainability-forward practices. Under his direction, Fairmont’s diverse dining concepts are being brought to life with thoughtful storytelling, immersive experiences, and exceptional quality.

From ‘Bahaar – The Gastronomical Garden’ with its live cooking theatres, to the narrative-driven ‘Dastaan’ tea lounge, Amitesh is curating sensory journeys that go far beyond the plate. Each venue—from the Mediterranean-Italian inspired ‘The Alchemist’ to the high-energy lounge bar ‘Celeste’ and the leopard-themed bar ‘Dahaad’—offers guests a distinct yet cohesive experience, reflecting his ability to seamlessly balance regional flair with international sophistication.

Amitesh’s menus reflect a strong commitment to local sourcing, farm-to-table freshness, and wellness-forward dining. Collaborating closely with regional farmers, he champions indigenous grains, native dairy, and traditional spices—bringing seasonal integrity and environmental consciousness to every dish. Even classics like laal maas, pittod ki sabzi,raabodi ki sabzi, khuskhus ki sabzi, khatti raab are reimagined with finesse, plated with elegance, and served with heart.

In the wedding and events space, he is redefining how luxury hospitality approaches experiential dining—curating menus that are deeply personal, narratively rich, and designed to resonate with evolving tastes. Signature rituals such as the 56-dish Royal Thaal, live regional stations, and storytelling-infused desserts are just some of the ways Amitesh is elevating large-scale dining to a high art.

At the heart of his vision is a belief that food must evoke emotion. Under his leadership, Fairmont Udaipur Palace is not just serving meals—it is creating memories, one thoughtfully composed dish at a time. Amitesh Virdi’s legacy at this property will be defined by culinary excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to creating extraordinary moments through food.

Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Rajan Malhotra as Director of Sales and Marketing

Udaipur, August 2025 – With over two decades of experience across India’s leading luxury hospitality brands, Rajan Malhotra brings a refined commercial acumen and destination-first mindset to his role as Director of Sales & Marketing at Fairmont Udaipur Palace.

Throughout his career, Rajan has been instrumental in building revenue strategies for some of the country’s most prestigious hotels, with a proven track record across the high-growth segments of destination weddings, MICE, and experiential luxury travel. His strength lies in translating a property's physical grandeur into strong market positioning—developing storytelling-led sales strategies that connect deeply with clients and evolve brand perception.

At Fairmont Udaipur Palace, Rajan is leading a dynamic commercial vision that positions the hotel not just as a palace, but as a landmark destination for extraordinary celebrations and business gatherings. With the largest room inventory in Rajasthan’s luxury segment, two grand banquet halls, scenic terraces, and four expansive gardens, the hotel offers a level of scale and flexibility that few properties in the country can match.

Under his leadership, the sales and marketing function is expanding its focus across multiple verticals—luxury weddings, intimate private celebrations, high-end leisure, and business events—while ensuring that each guest experience remains bespoke and flawlessly executed. With Fairmont’s global legacy, Accor’s strength in distribution, and Udaipur’s inherent charm, Rajan is crafting a narrative that’s as emotionally resonant as it is commercially compelling.

A central pillar of his strategy is the repositioning of Udaipur as a serious MICE contender on the global stage. Historically celebrated for its romantic weddings, the city is now being reintroduced as a premium business destination through Rajan’s efforts—backed by infrastructure that supports gatherings from 50 to 2,000 delegates, expansive indoor-outdoor venues, and partnerships that enable seamless integration across neighboring properties.

Rajan’s leadership also extends to reimagining guest journeys through thoughtful programming—such as Fairmont Udaipur Palace’s signature arrival rituals, curated in-room experiences, and elevated service touchpoints. His approach prioritizes not just operational efficiency, but emotional connection—ensuring that every guest, whether a bride, delegate, or celebrant, feels deeply cared for.

With a focus on personalization, brand-led storytelling, and strategic segmentation, Rajan Malhotra is set to shape Fairmont Udaipur Palace into one of India’s most iconic luxury destinations—where grandeur is matched by warmth, scale is balanced by service, and every event becomes a timeless memory.