Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad appoints Ankur Paul as Director of Sales

Ankur Paul brings more than a decade of hospitality experience across Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt and IHG to the property’s pre-opening team.

Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad has announced the appointment of Ankur Paul as director of sales, as the property strengthens its leadership team ahead of its opening. With more than a decade of experience across leading hospitality brands including Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt and IHG, Ankur brings expertise in sales strategy, business development, revenue generation and large-scale events to his new role.

Leading sales and business development

In his new position, Ankur will lead the property’s overall sales strategy, with a focus on revenue growth, market penetration and establishing Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad as a hospitality destination in the Delhi-NCR market.

His mandate will span corporate and social segments, strategic account development, event and conference business, market analysis, pricing strategies and stakeholder engagement, while working closely with the revenue, marketing and operations teams to support the property’s pre-opening strategy.

Experience across hospitality brands

Before joining Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad, Ankur served as director of sales at Courtyard by Marriott Gorakhpur, where he played a key role in establishing and strengthening the organisation’s foothold in a new market through team development, sales strategy, market expansion, budgeting and P&L management.

His career also includes leadership and sales roles at DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram, Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram, Crowne Plaza Gurgaon, Hyatt Regency Gurugram and ibis City Centre Bengaluru, where he worked across corporate sales, conferences, catering and client engagement. At Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram, he led the sales team for group blocks and residential conferences and delivered the hotel’s highest catering sales in FY18 since its inception.

Focus on NCR’s hospitality market

With experience in hotel pre-openings, sales operations and the evolving business landscape of NCR, Ankur will bring a strategic approach to Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad. His experience in building teams, developing long-term client relationships and delivering business across corporate, MICE and social segments will support the property’s commercial strategy and presence in the region.

Ankur Paul on his appointment

Commenting on his appointment, Ankur Paul, Director of Sales, Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad, said, “I am delighted to take on the role of Director of Sales at Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad at such an exciting stage in the property’s journey. As we prepare to welcome guests, my focus will be on building strong market relationships, creating meaningful business opportunities and establishing the hotel as a preferred destination for corporate, MICE and social events in the region. I look forward to bringing my experience across diverse hospitality markets and working closely with the team to build a strong foundation for the property’s long-term growth and success.

Ramada by Wyndham Ghaziabad Vasundhara Appoints Nirmal Singh as Assistant Revenue Manager

From hotel operations to revenue strategy, Nirmal brings a data-led approach to driving performance at the Ghaziabad property.

Ghaziabad, 2026: Ramada by Wyndham Ghaziabad Vasundhara has appointed Nirmal Singh as Assistant Revenue Manager, bringing experience across hotel operations, revenue management, yield strategy, and distribution.

Nirmal has built his career across different facets of the hotel business, beginning with front-office operations at Ginger Hotel before moving into reservations with Marriott International. He later joined Justa Hotels & Resorts, where he worked on inventory control and guest upselling, before moving into specialised revenue management with RedSKY Hospitality.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Remank Goel, Hotel Manager, Ramada by Wyndham Ghaziabad Vasundhara, said, "Revenue management is often seen as a numbers function, but good revenue decisions begin with understanding people. Nirmal brings that understanding to the role. Having worked across operations and revenue, he understands that a pricing decision doesn't sit in isolation; it affects the entire hotel. We look forward to having him strengthen that connection as we continue to grow the business.”

At Ramada by Wyndham Ghaziabad Vasundhara, Nirmal has been working across revenue strategy and forecasting, pricing, competitor intelligence, and distribution management. His responsibilities also include managing rates and inventory across OTA, GDS, and direct channels, while monitoring key performance indicators including ADR, RevPAR, and occupancy.

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace Appoints Harish Kumar as Director of Rooms

Hyderabad, October , 2026 – The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace has announced the appointment of Harish Kumar as Director of Rooms. With over 15 years of experience across luxury and upper-upscale hospitality, Harish brings expertise in guest experience, operational excellence, team development, and business performance across leading global hospitality brands.

Over the course of his career, Harish has held leadership roles across India and the Middle East, with experience spanning Rooms Division, Front Office operations, guest experience, and commercial performance. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Rooms at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat and as Front Office Manager at NH Collection Ibn Battuta Gate in Dubai. He was also recognised among Hozpitality’s Best 30 Power Front Office Leaders in the Middle East 2023 for his contribution to service excellence, innovation, and guest-centric leadership.

Commenting on his appointment, Harish Kumar said, “I am pleased to join The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace and take on the responsibility of leading the Rooms Division. Hyderabad is a dynamic market with a diverse mix of business and leisure travellers, and I look forward to working closely with the team to further strengthen service standards, enhance operational efficiencies, and create thoughtful, consistent guest experiences. I am also keen to contribute to the hotel’s continued growth while fostering a culture of learning and development.”

In his new role, Harish will lead all aspects of the Rooms Division, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Spa & Wellness, and guest experience initiatives. He will focus on enhancing service standards, driving operational efficiencies, developing talent, and supporting the hotel's continued commercial growth and market leadership.

With a proven track record of cultivating high-performing teams, optimizing operational performance, and delivering exceptional guest experiences, Harish's appointment reinforces The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace's commitment to excellence, innovation, and world-class hospitality.

Kamal Raza takes on expanded corporate leadership role for hotel development and human development at The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group

Kamal Raza will oversee Human Resources while continuing to lead Hotel Development, bringing together the Group’s growth and people leadership functions.

Kamal Raza, a hospitality leader with over 25 years of experience across hotel operations, general management, hotel development and people leadership, has taken on an expanded corporate leadership responsibility at The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, overseeing Human Resources while continuing to lead Hotel Development.

Raza brings to his expanded role a combination of operational expertise, business leadership, hotel development experience and people management. His career has encompassed hotel operations, general management, development projects, business performance, talent development, organisational transformation and stakeholder management.

Experience in hotel development

Prior to his expanded mandate, Raza served as General Manager – Development (Pan India) at The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, where he led hotel development initiatives, new openings, brand expansion and project execution. His responsibilities included managing projects from planning through commissioning, driving cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement and change management.

Earlier, as General Manager of The LaLiT Great Eastern, Kolkata, Raza led the operations of the 240-key luxury heritage hotel, Asia’s first luxury hotel, with a history spanning nearly 180 years. He was responsible for the hotel’s overall operations, financial performance, revenue management, cost optimisation, guest experience, people development and major renovation projects. During his tenure, the hotel achieved a 12% year-on-year increase in room revenue.

His career has included senior leadership and operational positions with The LaLiT and IHG Hotels & Resorts, including Director of Rooms at Crowne Plaza Greater Noida and Front Office leadership positions at The LaLiT New Delhi and Crowne Plaza properties in India and overseas.

Leadership perspective

Commenting on Raza’s expanded corporate responsibility, Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said: “Kamal has been an integral part of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group for many years, and his journey with the Group reflects a strong understanding of our business, our culture and our people. Over the years, he has taken on diverse leadership responsibilities across hotel operations, general management and development, consistently bringing a strong business acumen and a deep understanding of the hospitality industry. His move into this expanded role is a natural progression of that journey and reflects the trust we place in his leadership. With Hotel Development and Human Resources coming together under his mandate, Kamal will play an important role in strengthening both our growth pipeline and the people capabilities that will enable us to deliver on our future ambitions.”

Human Resources and hotel development

In his expanded role, Raza will continue to spearhead hotel development initiatives while also leading the Group’s Human Resources function. His mandate will encompass strengthening talent acquisition, leadership development, learning and development, employee engagement, performance management, organisational capability and HR systems and processes.

The combined responsibility reflects an integrated approach to hotel development and human development — building the Group’s physical portfolio while simultaneously strengthening the people, leadership capabilities and organisational culture required to support its growth.

Raza’s extensive experience in hotel operations and development brings a strong business perspective to the people function, with a focus on creating high-performing teams, developing future leaders and ensuring that people capabilities evolve in line with the Group’s business ambitions.

Kamal Raza on his expanded role

Commenting on his expanded responsibility, Kamal Raza said: “Hotel development and human development are closely connected. As we build and grow our hotel portfolio, it is equally important to build the people, leadership capabilities and organisational culture that will support that growth. In my expanded role, I will continue to focus on hotel development while working closely with our teams to strengthen our talent, leadership and organisational capabilities. Our objective is to create an organisation that is future-ready, performance-driven and deeply committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.”

Education and career

Raza has completed the Senior Leadership Program at the Indian School of Hospitality and the Management Development Program – Strategy from ICFAI Business School, Gurgaon. He holds a PG Diploma in Accommodation Operations and Management from FCI, Aligarh, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta.

With his experience spanning hotel operations, general management, hotel development and human resources, Raza brings an integrated business and people perspective to his expanded corporate mandate at The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group.

Radisson Hotel Group appoints Arman Chaugule as Account Manager, Sales – South Asia

Arman Chaugule will manage the Gujarat market and strategic business relationships across the group’s managed and franchised portfolio.

Radisson Hotel Group has appointed Arman Chaugule as Account Manager, Sales – South Asia, effective 12th May 2026.

Arman will be responsible for the Gujarat market as part of the Commercial Sales Office – South Asia function, managing strategic business relationships and driving commercial opportunities across the Managed and Franchised portfolio of Radisson Hotel Group – South Asia.

Role and responsibilities

In his role, Arman will manage and develop key Global Corporate, Pharmaceutical, MICE, Wedding, and Wholesale accounts across Gujarat and the wider West India market. His responsibilities will include strengthening strategic partnerships, identifying new business opportunities, driving account production, and supporting revenue growth across the portfolio.

Hospitality and sales experience

Arman brings nearly seven years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a strong background in strategic sales, corporate hospitality, MICE, weddings, business development, and key account management. He has built his career with leading international hospitality brands, consistently contributing to revenue generation, market development, and commercial performance.

Prior to joining Radisson Hotel Group, Arman was associated with Accor – InterGlobe Hotels as Regional Sales Manager – Gujarat, where he managed corporate, MICE, and wedding business while contributing to market expansion and revenue growth across the region.

Before Accor, Arman held various sales leadership roles with Marriott International, gaining extensive experience in strategic account management, business development, MICE, and client relationship management. During his tenure, he was recognized for his strong sales performance and contributions to business growth.

Education

Arman holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality & Tourism Studies from DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai

Pradeep Kumar Saroj Appointed IT Manager at Holiday Inn Agra

Welcoming a New Leader to Team Holiday Inn Agra!

We are delighted to welcome Mr. Pradeep Kumar Saroj to Holiday Inn Agra as part of our IT Manager.

With over 9 years of experience in hotel IT and Information Systems, Pradeep brings a strong background in hospitality technology, network management, hotel applications, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, business continuity and team leadership. His professional journey includes experience with Hyatt International and The Lalit Chandigarh.

We look forward to his expertise and fresh perspective further strengthening our technology-driven operations and supporting seamless experiences for our guests and colleagues.

Our General Manager-Mr. Pradipt Sinha says, “We are pleased to welcome Pradeep to the Holiday Inn Agra family. His diverse experience in hospitality technology, systems and IT operations will be a valuable addition to our team. I am confident that his expertise, collaborative approach and focus on operational excellence will contribute positively to our continued growth. We wish him great success in his new journey with us.”

Welcome aboard, Pradeep!

Here’s to a successful and rewarding journey with Team Holiday Inn Agra.

IndiGo appoints Gaurav Hazrati as Business Head – Loyalty, Marketplaces & Financial Services

Gaurav Hazrati brings over 18 years of experience across loyalty, financial services and digital platform businesses.

IndiGo has announced the appointment of Gaurav Hazrati as Business Head – Loyalty, Marketplaces & Financial Services. In this role, he will be responsible for driving growth across IndiGo BluChip, expanding the rewards ecosystem, and scaling the airline’s travel marketplace and financial services businesses.

Gaurav brings with him, over 18 years of experience in building and scaling loyalty and financial services businesses across banks and digital platform ecosystems. He has built multi-product businesses from inception and scaled them to revenue and profitability.

Leadership appointment at IndiGo

Welcoming Gaurav Hazrati to IndiGo, Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “As IndiGo continues its transformation journey, creating greater value and deeper engagement for customers across and beyond travel will become increasingly important. With extensive experience of developing and scaling loyalty and financial services businesses, I am confident that Gaurav is well-equipped to drive these critical functions at IndiGo and his expertise will play a valuable role as IndiGo evolves as a global airline of scale in the coming years.”

Commenting on his appointment, Gaurav Hazrati, Business Head- Loyalty, Marketplaces & Financial Services, IndiGo, said, “IndiGo connects India like no other airline and has become the trusted choice of an aspirational India that is flying more, spending more and expecting more. My mandate is to extend that trust into a consumer platform where we bring loyalty, marketplace and financial services together for the customer. IndiGo BluChip will reward people not just for how they fly, but for their everyday choices. I am glad we are already gaining altitude.”

Previous leadership experience

Prior to joining IndiGo, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tata Payments Limited, President, Financial Services at Tata Digital, and Non-Executive Director on the board of Tata Fintech Limited.

As part of Tata Digital’s founding leadership team, he played a key role in conceptualising, launching and scaling the Tata group’s loyalty and financial services businesses across payments, credit cards, lending, insurance, and investment products.

Earlier in his career, Gaurav Hazrati was part of the founding team at Axis Direct, the broking business of Axis Bank. He subsequently held senior leadership roles at IndusInd Bank, where he established the bank’s digital banking business across customer servicing and acquisition, payments, investments, and lending platforms.

The Leela appoints Rajesh Namby as General Manager of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary

Rajesh Namby brings more than three decades of experience across luxury hotels, destination resorts, food and beverage and hotel operations.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts announces the appointment of Rajesh Namby as General Manager of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, the brand’s first forest sanctuary. With over three decades of experience across luxury hotels, destination resorts, food & beverage and hotel operations, Rajesh brings a distinguished career and a deep association with The Leela to this new role.

Set amidst the verdant landscapes of the Western Ghats, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary is envisioned as an immersive retreat that brings together the natural beauty of Coorg with The Leela’s distinctive expression of true Indian luxury. Surrounded by 76 acres of forest, the sanctuary will offer guests a deeply immersive experience shaped by nature, wellness, culinary discovery and personalised hospitality, while drawing inspiration from the region’s rich landscape, culture and character.

A new chapter in The Leela’s Coorg journey

As The Leela marks 40 years of its journey in Indian luxury hospitality, Rajesh’s appointment marks another significant chapter for the brand as it brings its philosophy of Indian hospitality to a new setting in Coorg.

A long-standing member of The Leela family, Rajesh began his journey with the brand at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, progressing through banquet and Food & Beverage leadership roles. He subsequently moved to The Leela Palace New Delhi, where he took on senior F&B and operational responsibilities, before becoming General Manager of The Leela Palace Udaipur.

Experience across luxury hospitality

Over the course of his career, Rajesh has also held leadership positions at Raffles Udaipur and The Lodhi, New Delhi, before taking up his current assignment with The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary. His career has also included leadership roles with Hyatt Regency Kolkata and Hilton Golden Palms Resort & Spa Bengaluru, among other leading hospitality institutions. His early association with The Leela also included the pre-opening of celebrated dining destinations such as Le Cirque and MEGU at The Leela Palace New Delhi.

Role at The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary

In his new role, Rajesh will lead the team at The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, with a focus on creating a seamless guest journey while establishing the property as a distinctive expression of The Leela’s Indian luxury. The sanctuary will draw inspiration from its natural surroundings and the character of Coorg, with wellness, culinary experiences, nature and personalised service woven into the guest experience.

Speaking on his appointment, Rajesh Namby said, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with this important chapter in The Leela’s journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary and to bring to life a vision that is deeply rooted in the destination, while reflecting the warmth, grace and distinctive hospitality of The Leela. I look forward to working with the team to create experiences that feel deeply personal, meaningful and true to the spirit of Coorg and the values of the brand.”

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace Appoints Harish Kumar as Director of Rooms

Hyderabad, , 2026 – The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace has announced the appointment of Harish Kumar as Director of Rooms. With over 15 years of experience across luxury and upper-upscale hospitality, Harish brings expertise in guest experience, operational excellence, team development, and business performance across leading global hospitality brands.

 Over the course of his career, Harish has held leadership roles across India and the Middle East, with experience spanning Rooms Division, Front Office operations, guest experience, and commercial performance. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Rooms at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat and as Front Office Manager at NH Collection Ibn Battuta Gate in Dubai. He was also recognised among Hozpitality’s Best 30 Power Front Office Leaders in the Middle East 2023 for his contribution to service excellence, innovation, and guest-centric leadership.

 Commenting on his appointment, Harish Kumar said, “I am pleased to join The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace and take on the responsibility of leading the Rooms Division. Hyderabad is a dynamic market with a diverse mix of business and leisure travellers, and I look forward to working closely with the team to further strengthen service standards, enhance operational efficiencies, and create thoughtful, consistent guest experiences. I am also keen to contribute to the hotel’s continued growth while fostering a culture of learning and development.”

 In his new role, Harish will lead all aspects of the Rooms Division, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Spa & Wellness, and guest experience initiatives. He will focus on enhancing service standards, driving operational efficiencies, developing talent, and supporting the hotel's continued commercial growth and market leadership.

With a proven track record of cultivating high-performing teams, optimizing operational performance, and delivering exceptional guest experiences, Harish's appointment reinforces The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace's commitment to excellence, innovation, and world-class hospitality.

Pradeep Kandari Appointed General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar & MMCEC

Gandhinagar, Gujarat: The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Pradeep Kandari as the General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar & Mahatma Mandir Exhibition and Convention Centre (MMCEC).

With over two decades of experience in hospitality, Pradeep brings extensive expertise to his new role, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, driving business growth, and further strengthening the property's position within Gujarat's evolving luxury hospitality landscape.

Pradeep is known for his strong understanding of guest expectations and deep commitment to hospitality. His approach is rooted in personalised service, attention to detail, and creating meaningful connections with guests.

He has been a part of The Leela since January 2023. During his tenure with the brand, he has held progressive leadership roles across its Bengaluru portfolio. Prior to this appointment, he served as Hotel Manager at The Leela Palace Bengaluru.

With extensive experience in luxury hospitality, Pradeep brings a refined perspective on high-end service, operational excellence, and the evolving expectations of luxury travellers. Before joining The Leela, he held leadership positions with some of the world's most prestigious hospitality brands, including The St. Regis Mumbai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Le Royal Méridien, and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. His international experience includes an assignment with Manchester Marriott, further broadening his perspective on luxury hospitality and personalised guest service.

Speaking on his appointment, Pradeep Kandari said:

"I am delighted to take on this opportunity. Gujarat is witnessing an exciting evolution in luxury hospitality, driven by the growth of convention, MICE, wedding, and leisure travel across the region. With The Leela Gandhinagar and the Mahatma Mandir Exhibition and Convention Centre together offering a distinctive proposition for discerning travellers and large-scale events, our focus will be on creating experiences that are warm, intuitive, and memorable, while continuing to uphold the values of Indian hospitality, rooted in the timeless philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava, that define The Leela."

The Leela Gandhinagar looks forward to welcoming Pradeep Kandari and embarking on this new chapter together as the complex continues to create exceptional experiences and strengthen its position as a leading luxury hospitality destination and world-class venue in Gujarat.

Atmosphere Core appoints Neeraj Seth as Assistant Vice President – Communication

Neeraj Seth brings more than 25 years of international experience across hospitality, real estate, consumer technology, marketing and strategic communications.

Atmosphere Core has appointed Neeraj Seth as Assistant Vice President – Communication, bringing more than 25 years of international experience across luxury hospitality, real estate, consumer technology, marketing and strategic communications.

With a career spanning Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East, Neeraj has held senior leadership positions with global and regional organisations, leading integrated marketing and communications initiatives across diverse markets. His expertise includes strategic communications, public relations, media relations, brand positioning, digital communications, partnerships and major launches.

Focus on Maldives and Sri Lanka operations

At Atmosphere Core, Neeraj will lead strategic communication initiatives across the company’s Maldives and Sri Lanka operations, focusing on media relations, corporate communications and brand storytelling. He will work with leadership and resort teams to identify and amplify the distinctive stories, experiences and people behind Atmosphere Core and its brands.

Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer, Atmosphere Core, said: “We are delighted to welcome Neeraj to Atmosphere Core. His extensive international experience across marketing, communications and hospitality, combined with his strong understanding of media and brand storytelling, will bring valuable expertise to our growing organisation. I am confident he will make a meaningful contribution as we continue to strengthen the profile of Atmosphere Core and its brands across international markets.”

Experience across hospitality and communications

Hospitality has been a significant focus of Neeraj’s recent career, spanning luxury resorts, real estate and strategic communications. He has led pre-openings, launches, rebranding and integrated campaigns, alongside international media engagement and brand partnerships across key EMEIA markets. He has also represented global hospitality and lifestyle brands as an official media spokesperson.

Commenting on his appointment, Neeraj Seth, Assistant Vice President – Communication, Atmosphere Core, said: “I am delighted to join Atmosphere Core at an exciting stage of its growth. Our distinctive brands and experiences offer a wealth of compelling stories, and I look forward to bringing more nuanced, market-relevant storytelling to different audiences, while strengthening our communications, deepening media relationships and building the group’s international profile.”

Lenexis Foodworks appoints Ankur Gupta as Head of Procurement

Ankur Gupta brings over 17 years of experience across procurement, projects and QSR operations to the role.

Lenexis Foodworks, the parent company of Chinese Wok, Big Bowl and The Momo Co., has appointed Ankur Gupta as Head of Procurement. The company operates more than 270 stores.

Ankur brings over 17 years of experience spanning projects and procurement, having worked across Sapphire Foods, Yum Brands and Future Group. He holds an M.Tech from NIT, Bhopal.

Experience across QSR procurement

Prior to joining Lenexis Foodworks, Ankur spent around a decade at Sapphire Foods, the master franchisee for KFC and Pizza Hut in India. He most recently served as Associate General Manager, where he worked across procurement and capex functions within a multi-brand QSR operation.

At Lenexis Foodworks, Ankur will lead procurement, capex and design standardization functions. His mandate includes preparing standard operating procedures for store roll-outs, standardizing bills of quantities and design parameters, overseeing auctions, capex and equipment procurement, and strengthening audit processes across the company’s store network.

“Ankur brings a solid combination of deep expertise and cross-sector experience across procurement, projects and QSR operations. As we scale our store network, having strong systems for capex, design standardization and procurement discipline is critical. Ankur’s experience makes him well placed to build that backbone for us. — Arvind R P, Chief Executive Officer, Lenexis Foodworks.

“Embracing a new chapter with purpose, passion, and the courage to create impact. I look forward to building robust, scalable procurement and capex systems that support Lenexis Foodworks as it grows.” — Ankur Gupta, Head of Procurement, Lenexis Foodworks.

ME by Meliá Dubai appoints Arlette Richter-Picardo as general manager

The former Hotel Local Dubai general manager will oversee commercial performance, operations and the development of the hotel’s dining, wellness and cultural offering

ME by Meliá Dubai has appointed Arlette Richter-Picardo as general manager, handing her responsibility for the Zaha Hadid-designed property’s commercial performance, operations and guest experience.

Richter-Picardo joins from Hotel Local Dubai, where she led the property’s rebranding and transition into Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Her appointment brings more than 15 years of experience across the UAE’s luxury and lifestyle hotel sectors to the role.

At Hotel Local, she oversaw the alignment of the property’s existing identity with its new brand affiliation. Her work included developing the guest journey and the hotel’s signature Autograph moment, designed to reflect its individual character within the collection.

Her previous senior leadership roles span Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, The Dubai Edition, Marriott Hotel & Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi, and The St. Regis Abu Dhabi.

Across her career, she has led teams of more than 700 employees, with experience covering commercial strategy, F&B, brand development and hotel operations in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

At ME by Meliá Dubai, her remit will include profitability, service standards, people and culture, alongside the day-to-day running of the hotel. She will work with the leadership team and key stakeholders to identify commercial opportunities and strengthen the property’s position in Dubai’s luxury market.

The role also includes developing its dining, wellness and cultural experiences, with a focus on keeping the hotel’s offering relevant as competition across the city continues to grow.

Commenting on her appointment, Richter-Picardo said: “ME by Meliá Dubai already has something many hotels spend years trying to build: a clear identity. My role is not to change what makes it distinctive, but to build on that strength, translating it into meaningful guest experiences and strong business performance.”

She added: “Dubai’s hospitality landscape moves incredibly quickly, and standing still simply isn’t an option. As we enter a new season, I’m looking forward to working with the team to evolve the hotel across its guest experience, dining, culture and service, while unlocking new opportunities for growth