The hospitality veteran will lead the hotel's pre-opening phase and oversee its operational and commercial strategy in Bhubaneswar.

Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath has announced the appointment of Neelabh Sahay as its General Manager, entrusting him with leading the hotel through its pre-opening phase and positioning it as a landmark hospitality destination in Odisha’s capital.

Professional background

A seasoned hospitality leader with over two decades of experience across luxury hotels and internationally renowned brands, Neelabh brings a proven track record in hotel operations, commercial strategy, pre-opening excellence, and people leadership. An alumnus of The Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development, he began his career with The Oberoi Hotels, where he developed a strong foundation in luxury hospitality and culinary excellence. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with The Oberoi Grand Kolkata, Trident Nariman Point, Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, and most recently served as Director of Operations at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach.

Neelabh’s career is distinguished by a remarkable progression from culinary leadership to executive hotel management. Recognised as one of the youngest Executive Chefs at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to build high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, elevate guest satisfaction, and deliver strong commercial results.

New role

As General Manager, Neelabh will oversee the pre-opening strategy and overall operations of Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath. His mandate includes establishing robust operational systems, cultivating a culture of excellence, driving commercial performance, and delivering the contemporary, guest-centric experiences synonymous with the Novotel brand.

General Manager’s perspective

Commenting on his appointment, Neelabh Sahay, General Manager, Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath, said: “It is an honour to lead Novotel Bhubaneswar Janpath as we prepare to introduce the hotel to the city. My vision is to establish the property as Bhubaneswar’s preferred destination for business, MICE and leisure travellers by delivering thoughtful hospitality, exceptional service, and meaningful guest experiences. Equally important is creating an environment where our teams feel inspired, empowered, and equipped to excel, because outstanding hospitality begins with engaged people. I look forward to working closely with our teams, partners, hotel ownership, and Accor to create lasting value while contributing to the continued growth of Bhubaneswar’s evolving hospitality landscape.”

Leadership approach

Drawing on the service philosophies of globally respected hospitality brands including The Oberoi, Trident and Accor, Neelabh’s leadership style is defined by operational rigour, strategic thinking, innovation, and a people-first approach. He is passionate about nurturing talent, fostering a culture of excellence, and delivering sustainable business growth. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring emerging technologies shaping the future of hospitality