Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati Appoints Samata Danday Chand as Hotel Manager

Newly Launched Property Names Seasoned Hospitality Leader to Helm Operations

Tirupati, April - Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, which opened its doors in April 2026, has announced the appointment of Samata Danday Chand as Hotel Manager. The appointment signals a strong leadership intent from the outset, as the property positions itself as a premier destination for pilgrims, leisure travellers, and corporate guests visiting one of India's most revered spiritual destinations.

In her role, Samata will oversee all hotel operations, shape the guest experience from the ground up, and drive the property's growth strategy in its critical opening phase and beyond.

A seasoned hospitality professional with over two decades of experience, Samata brings a deep understanding of hotel operations, guest engagement, and people-led leadership. Her career spans diverse verticals within the industry, with a consistent focus on operational excellence and building high-performing teams.

Samata began her hospitality journey with IHCL Taj Hotels, where she spent nearly a decade as executive housekeeper. During this period, she led multiple pre-opening projects and managed large-scale renovation initiatives, establishing a strong foundation in operational precision and execution experience that positions her well to lead a newly launched property. She subsequently moved into Learning & Development, where she played a pivotal role in strengthening talent capabilities and organisational culture.

Her career progression led her to senior leadership roles as operations manager and director of rooms, in which she served as second-in-command overseeing end-to-end hotel operations. Most recently, she served as Executive Assistant Manager – Rooms at JW Marriott Bengaluru Golfshire, where she contributed to enhancing luxury guest experiences and driving operational excellence.

Speaking on her appointment, Samata Danday Chand said, "Tirupati is a destination that holds profound meaning for millions of people. As a team, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to match that significance with an experience that is seamless, warm, and truly memorable. Our goal is to ensure that every guest, whether a pilgrim seeking solace, a family on a cherished trip, or a corporate traveller on the move, enjoys a stay that is comfortable, effortless, and exceptional in every sense. That is the standard we are setting for ourselves from day one."

Known for her people-first leadership philosophy, Samata brings a balanced and mindful approach to her role. A passionate traveller, long-distance driving enthusiast, and dedicated yoga practitioner, she embodies a leadership style that blends discipline with empathy.

With Samata at the helm, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati is poised to set a high benchmark for hospitality in the region right from day one.

Raffles Jaipur Appoints Neha Sharma Yadav as Hotel Manager

Jaipur, February, 2026 – Raffles Jaipur has announced the appointment of Neha Sharma Yadav as Hotel Manager, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence and guest experience leadership. This strategic move highlights the property’s identity as the Queen’s Palace, celebrating Rajasthan’s legacy of grace, strength, and inclusivity.

Professional Experience

Yadav brings nearly two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, with expertise in Rooms Division management and hotel operations across international hotel brands. Her leadership style emphasizes talent development, operational discipline, and service consistency, ensuring elevated guest satisfaction and efficiency.

Role and Responsibilities

As Hotel Manager, Yadav will:

• Oversee daily operations to maintain Raffles’ service standards.

• Strengthen the hotel’s leadership structure and operational focus.

• Drive initiatives for team development and diversity, with a special emphasis on supporting women professionals.

• Ensure luxury hospitality experiences remain central to guest interactions.

Cultural Alignment

Her appointment aligns with Raffles Jaipur’s broader cultural narrative of inclusive leadership while honoring traditional hospitality values. By placing a female leader at the helm of operations, the property underscores its dedication to heritage-inspired luxury with contemporary leadership.

Management Perspective

Rajat Sethi, Cluster General Manager – Raffles and Fairmont Jaipur, commented:
“Neha exemplifies the rare combination of operational acumen and authentic hospitality leadership that defines excellence in luxury hotel management. Her sophisticated understanding of discerning guest expectations, coupled with her proven capacity to inspire and develop exceptional teams, positions her as an invaluable asset to Raffles Jaipur.”

The St. Regis Mumbai Welcomes Mr. Shaiban Hassan as the New Hotel Manager

April , 2024:  The St. Regis Mumbai is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Shaiban Hassan as the new Hotel Manager, boasting over 15 years of exceptional experience in the hospitality industry. 

Mr. Hassan brings a wealth of expertise, having previously served as the Hotel Manager at W Goa, where he showcased exemplary leadership and management skills. During his tenure, he successfully managed a luxury resort comprising 121 rooms, overseeing six food and beverage outlets and led a team of 335 employees. 

Prior to his role at W Goa, Mr. Hassan held key positions at prestigious establishments such as Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain. His diverse experience includes serving as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, where he played an instrumental role in enhancing guest experiences, optimizing operational efficiency and driving revenue growth. 

With his proven track record of delivering exceptional results and his profound understanding of the hospitality industry, Mr Hassan is poised to make significant contributions to the continued success of The St. Regis Mumbai. As Hotel Manager, he will report directly to the General Manager and will be responsible for upholding the highest standards of guest satisfaction, fostering team engagement and leadership and devising sales strategies.  

The St. Regis Mumbai warmly welcomes Mr. Hassan’s fresh perspective and insights, anticipating his valuable contributions to the esteemed establishment in the days ahead. 

Pilibhit House- IHCL SeleQtions appoints Vikas Nagar as its new Hotel Manager

National, November 2023: Pilibhit House - IHCL SeleQtions, Haridwar’s most luxurious hotel has appointed Vikas Nagar as their new Hotel Manager. With rich experience of over 18 years in luxury hospitality, Vikas is an influential hotelier bringing his expansive industry knowledge to lead this magnificent hotel.

A well-acclaimed hospitality virtuoso, Vikas is known for his strategic vision, skilled leadership and ability to handle operations of different scales. In his new role, he will be spearheading Pilibhit House’s hotel operations and will play a pivotal role in planning and executing strategies that are aimed at ensuring the warmth and hospitality that Taj is known for alongside delivering services and experiences to generate revenue growth. With in-depth knowledge and work experience in culinary operations, he will ensure the highest standards of food and beverage service are being implemented with exciting changes already in line.

Commenting on his joining, Vikas Nagar, Hotel Manager, Pilibhit House, Haridwar-IHCL SeleQtions said- “I am delighted to embark on this new journey with the dynamic and passionate team at Pilibhit House. With a deep understanding of spiritual destinations, I aim to incorporate my previous years of experience and learning to elevate this soul-stirring destination. I’m grateful to be leading operations of this highly reputed hotel and look forward to making Pilibhit House the most sought-after hotel”.

Starting his prestigious career with The Grand, New Delhi, Vikas went on to become a seasoned Taj professional. Vikas joined the IHCL organisation in 2008 at Ambassador, New Delhi - IHCL SeleQtions where he grew from a Captain to a Restaurant Manager before being promoted to Food & Beverage Manager at Taj Ganges, Varanasi. After ably leading the Food & Beverage team, Vikas was elevated to Operations Manager of the hotel. Before joining Pilibhit House, he was associated with the Taj Ganges and Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi. In his extensive career, he has been at the forefront of hosting global-scale events such as the G20 summit, and SCO summit and successfully led bespoke catering for national events such as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and hosted many dignitaries, celebrities and high-importance guests. A visionary by nature, he has won many awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career. Further, he has a proven track record of maximizing guest satisfaction and ensuring brands run in a profitable position without compromising on the quality of services.

Vikas completed his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in English Literature from C.C.S University, Meerut. Further, he holds a professional Diploma in Food and Beverage from Delhi Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi. A firm believer in service philosophy, Vikas aims towards making Pilibhit House Uttarakhand’s most preferred luxury destination. Known for his people management and strong leadership skills, he has always capitalized on the right opportunities at the right time to drive intensive growth for his brands.

Pilibhit House- IHCL SeleQtions appoints Vikas Nagar as its new Hotel Manager

National, November 2023: Pilibhit House - IHCL SeleQtions, Haridwar’s most luxurious hotel has appointed Vikas Nagar as their new Hotel Manager. With rich experience of over 18 years in luxury hospitality, Vikas is an influential hotelier bringing his expansive industry knowledge to lead this magnificent hotel.

A well-acclaimed hospitality virtuoso, Vikas is known for his strategic vision, skilled leadership and ability to handle operations of different scales. In his new role, he will be spearheading Pilibhit House’s hotel operations and will play a pivotal role in planning and executing strategies that are aimed at ensuring the warmth and hospitality that Taj is known for alongside delivering services and experiences to generate revenue growth. With in-depth knowledge and work experience in culinary operations, he will ensure the highest standards of food and beverage service are being implemented with exciting changes already in line.

Commenting on his joining, Vikas Nagar, Hotel Manager, Pilibhit House, Haridwar-IHCL SeleQtions said- “I am delighted to embark on this new journey with the dynamic and passionate team at Pilibhit House. With a deep understanding of spiritual destinations, I aim to incorporate my previous years of experience and learning to elevate this soul-stirring destination. I’m grateful to be leading operations of this highly reputed hotel and look forward to making Pilibhit House the most sought-after hotel”.

Starting his prestigious career with The Grand, New Delhi, Vikas went on to become a seasoned Taj professional. Vikas joined the IHCL organisation in 2008 at Ambassador, New Delhi - IHCL SeleQtions where he grew from a Captain to a Restaurant Manager before being promoted to Food & Beverage Manager at Taj Ganges, Varanasi. After ably leading the Food & Beverage team, Vikas was elevated to Operations Manager of the hotel. Before joining Pilibhit House, he was associated with the Taj Ganges and Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi. In his extensive career, he has been at the forefront of hosting global-scale events such as the G20 summit, and SCO summit and successfully led bespoke catering for national events such as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and hosted many dignitaries, celebrities and high-importance guests. A visionary by nature, he has won many awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career. Further, he has a proven track record of maximizing guest satisfaction and ensuring brands run in a profitable position without compromising on the quality of services.

Vikas completed his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in English Literature from C.C.S University, Meerut. Further, he holds a professional Diploma in Food and Beverage from Delhi Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi. A firm believer in service philosophy, Vikas aims towards making Pilibhit House Uttarakhand’s most preferred luxury destination. Known for his people management and strong leadership skills, he has always capitalized on the right opportunities at the right time to drive intensive growth for his brands.

Rakessh Barot has been appointed as the Hotel Manager at the newly launched Fairfield by Marriott Agra

Agra : The newly opened Fairfield by Marriott in Agra announced the appointment of Rakessh Barot as its first Hotel Manager. 

With over two decades of experience and strong leadership skills in the hospitality industry, Rakessh will be responsible for managing all aspects of the hotel including operations, guest services, team management, sales & marketing , revenue generation etc.

Rakessh has been associated with Marriott International for a very long time now having worked with Renaissance, Marriott Executive Apartments, Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn by Marriott. He rose to the level of Executive Housekeeper at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Powai and was the Rooms Division Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan. His last role was the Operations Manager at the Courtyard by Marriott Chennai. 

His diverse experience and proven track record of success makes him the ideal choice for the role. He is a firm believer in teamwork and collaboration.

Outside of work, Rakessh follows cricket and loves travelling.