Rajendra Joshi Elevated to Associate General Manager, Pre-opening Operations at Sayaji Hotels Ltd

Mumbai, India – 2026: Sayaji Hotels Ltd proudly announces the elevation of Rajendra Joshi to the role of Associate General Manager – Pre-opening Operations, effective January 2026. In this expanded leadership position, Mr. Joshi will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and steering strategic property launches as the hospitality group continues its rapid expansion across India.

With nearly two decades of rich experience in the hospitality industry, Rajendra Joshi brings a deep understanding of hotel operations, food and beverage services, guest experience optimisation, and team development. Prior to his current role, he held senior management and general manager positions at several respected hospitality brands, honing his ability to deliver high service quality and operational effectiveness across diverse market segments.

Since stepping into his leadership role at Sayaji Hotels Ltd, Rajendra Joshi has been central to the organisation’s strategic expansion initiatives. He has overseen key operational milestones and contributed to new property launches, positioning the brand to serve emerging markets with a blend of contemporary comfort and personalised hospitality.

On his elevation, Mr. Joshi commented:
“I am honoured to take on this expanded responsibility at Sayaji Hotels Ltd. As we grow our footprint across India, my focus remains on delivering memorable guest experiences while nurturing a team culture rooted in excellence and collaboration.”

Mr. Joshi’s career highlights include significant leadership roles at prominent properties such as The Fern Residency, Aurangabad and U Tropicana, Alibaug, where he was instrumental in enhancing guest satisfaction, streamlining operations, and driving business growth. His expertise spans pre-opening coordination, resource planning, talent engagement, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

About Sayaji Hotels Ltd
Sayaji Hotels is one of India’s most recognised and trusted hospitality brands, renowned for its signature “Yours Truly” service, thoughtfully designed properties, and unwavering commitment to excellence. With over 40 years of legacy, a growing portfolio of 39 properties and more than 2,537 keys across key destinations nationwide, Sayaji seamlessly blends luxury with warmth to create memorable experiences for both business and leisure travellers. Rooted in a rich heritage that began with a vision to redefine Indian hospitality, the brand continues to be celebrated for its personalised service, contemporary amenities, and guest-first philosophy. Recognised as one of the Great Places to Work in India, Sayaji Hotels continues to set new benchmarks in the industry. Looking ahead, its 2026 Brand Vision focuses on expanding its footprint across strategic markets while innovating to deliver inclusive, world-class hospitality experiences.

Sayaji Hotels elevates Saba Dhanani to Corporate Head – Marketing and Communications

National, September, 2025: Sayaji Hotels, a pioneer in Indian hospitality renowned for its signature ‘Yours Truly’ service, has announced the elevation of Saba Dhanani to the role of Corporate Head – Marketing & Communications. The move underscores the Group’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and driving brand transformation, revenue growth, and long-term stakeholder value.

Saba Dhanani will spearhead marketing initiatives in line with the Group’s 2026 Brand Vision. In her new role, she will drive revenue-focused strategies through impactful campaigns, budget optimization, and cross-functional alignment. Saba will oversee brand scorecard compliance, new hotel launch readiness, and strengthen PR, media relations, and brand identity. 

Sharing her thoughts on the new role, Saba Dhanani said,

“It is a privilege to take on the responsibility of Corporate Head - Marketing and Communication at Sayaji Hotels. This role brings the opportunity to integrate strategy, creativity, and execution across marketing, communications, and brand. In this new role my focus will be on enhancing marketing’s contribution to revenue, maximizing campaign effectiveness, strengthening media and stakeholder relationships, and driving excellence aligned with our 2026 Brand Vision. I look forward to collaborating with our teams to elevate Sayaji Hotels’ brand presence and deliver lasting value to our guests and stakeholders.”

Congratulating her on the elevation, Raoof Dhanani, Managing Director, Sayaji Hotels, said,

“Saba brings a rare blend of strategic foresight, creative excellence, and vision for the brand. Her elevation marks a significant step in strengthening our brand voice and amplifying Sayaji Hotels’ presence in an increasingly competitive hospitality landscape. We are confident that under her leadership, the Group’s Marketing & Communications function will play a defining role in shaping our growth story.”

With this elevation, Sayaji Hotels reinforces its focus on empowering leaders who embody its ‘Yours Truly’ philosophy—placing genuine care, innovation, and memorable guest experiences at the core of its journey.

Sayaji Hotels Elevates Sumera Dhanani to Corporate Head – Business Development

National, May 2025: Sayaji Hotels, a trailblazer in Indian hospitality known for its signature “Yours Truly” service, is proud to announce the elevation of Ms. Sumera Dhanani to the role of Corporate Head – Business Development. This appointment is a testament to the Group’s ongoing commitment to recognizing dynamic leadership and empowering individuals who exemplify excellence, strategic foresight, and deep alignment with Sayaji’s vision of exceptional guest experiences.

In her new capacity as Corporate Head - Business Development, her mandate includes identifying new business opportunities, strengthening the brand’s footprint across emerging markets, and cultivating high-impact partnerships that align with Sayaji’s ethos of heartfelt, personalized hospitality. With her proven drive and visionary leadership, Sumera is uniquely positioned to unlock new value streams and steer Sayaji Hotels into its next transformative phase of growth and innovation.

Upon her appointment, Sumera expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am thrilled and privileged to embark on this exciting journey at Sayaji Hotels. In my new role, I look forward to cultivating influential partnerships across the hotel industry, seamlessly integrating them into the Sayaji Hotel brand, and leading a transformative Sales and Marketing strategy to elevate the group's market position. 

Raoof Dhanani, Managing Director, said, “Sumera’s elevation within the Sayaji Group reflects our belief in nurturing talent that drives tangible business outcomes. We’re confident that her forward-thinking approach will play a critical role in accelerating our growth trajectory and unlocking new opportunities for the brand”.

Sumera’s appointment marks a significant milestone in Sayaji Hotels' journey of growth and innovation. As the Group continues to expand its presence and redefine hospitality standards, the addition of visionary leaders like Sumera ensures that Sayaji remains at the forefront of delivering unparalleled experiences to its guests. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Sayaji Hotels is poised to script an inspiring new chapter under her strategic leadership.

Sayaji Hotels strengthens leadership with the elevation of Ajay Kanojia as Associate GM – Operations

National, April 2025 : Sayaji Hotels, a leading name in Indian hospitality and known for its signature “Yours Truly” service, is reinforcing its leadership team with the elevation of Ajay Kanojia to the position of Associate General Manager – Operations at the Sayaji Hotels.

With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in the hospitality industry, Ajay brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of operational excellence. His redesignation comes as part of Sayaji Hotels’ continued commitment to nurturing strong leadership that drives performance, guest satisfaction, and sustainable growth. Throughout his career he has showcased exemplary leadership, having held key positions at renowned hotel chains including Hotel Park Plaza, Hotel Jaypee Residency, and Lemon Tree Hotels.

In his expanded role, Ajay  will be responsible for providing strategic direction, driving year-on-year growth, strengthening staff engagement, and leading key operational oversight across the Group. While his primary focus will be on maintaining the highest standards of service and enhancing guest experiences, he will also take charge of curating initiatives aligned with Sayaji’s ‘guest-first’ philosophy.

 Expressing his enthusiasm for this new chapter, Mr. Ajay Kanojia said,“I’m truly honoured to take on this expanded role at the Sayaji Group, a brand that embodies heartfelt hospitality and excellence. This new chapter presents an exciting opportunity to work closely with our talented teams to further, streamline operations, and implement innovative strategies that align with our core values. As we move forward, my focus will remain on driving service excellence, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration, and ensuring that every guest interaction reflects our ‘Yours Truly’ philosophy.”

Saba Dhanani Corporate Head of Marketing & Communications “We are thrilled to have Ajay Kanojia take on the role of Associate GM – Operations. His expertise, and leadership have been invaluable to the organization, and we are confident that under his guidance, our properties will continue to thrive and set new benchmarks in the hospitality industry.”

Sayaji Hotels continues to invest in leadership that mirrors its vision of offering heartfelt hospitality and delivering memorable experiences to every guest.

Sayaji Hotels appoints Jamaluddin Khilji as General Manager Corporate Head HR

February, 2025:  Founded in 1982 by Sajid Dhanani, Sayaji Group of Hotels has grown from a single property into a distinguished name in Indian hospitality. Sayaji Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamaluddin Khilji as General Manager Corporate Head HR. This strategic move aims to further enhance the company’s leadership team and strengthen its framework to drive organizational growth and employee engagement. In his new role, Jamaluddin will spearhead HR strategies across Sayaji Hotels, focusing on talent acquisition, management processes, leadership development and workforce planning to align with the company’s overall business objectives.

Raoof Dhanani, Managing Director, Sayaji Hotels, shared,“We wholeheartedly welcome Jamaluddin to the Sayaji Hotels family. His extensive experience and deep understanding of HR dynamics in the hospitality sector will play a crucial role in nurturing our people, strengthening our organizational culture, and driving sustainable growth. We look forward to his leadership in shaping a thriving and empowered workforce.”

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new role, Jamaluddin Khilji, General Manager Corporate Head HR, Sayaji Hotels, stated, “I’m excited to be part of Sayaji Hotels and I look forward to contributing to its vision of excellence in hospitality. My goal is to cultivate a dynamic, performance-driven work culture that not only reflects Sayaji’s core values but also empowers people, nurtures talent, and encourages innovation. Together, we will create an environment where employees thrive, reinforcing Sayaji as a top choice for talent in the industry.”

With 24 years of experience in Human Resource Management, Jamaluddin has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Kempinski, Marriott, Accor, and Rosetta Hospitality. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and an MBA in Human Resources from IMS Indore. Beyond his professional expertise, he is a passionate cricket enthusiast, an avid reader of non-fiction, and follows current affairs closely.

About Sayaji 

Sayaji Hotels is one of India’s most recognized hospitality brands, known for its "Yours Truly" service, thoughtfully designed properties, and a commitment to excellence. With a strong presence across the country, Sayaji blends luxury with warmth, offering memorable experiences for business and leisure travelers alike.