Exclusive Interview | Ashish Shekhar, General Manager Ramee Collection Mohali

"True hospitality goes far beyond standard service. It is about showing genuine care and being willing to go the extra mile when it truly matters."

Ashish Shekhar, General Manager Ramee Collection

Editor: After working across multiple hotel brands and cities, what convinced you that this was the right time to join Ramee Collection, Mohali? Joining Ramee Collection, Mohali was an exciting opportunity, as it is a growing lifestyle brand with strong potential. I was motivated by the chance to contribute to a new property, elevate the guest experience, and leverage my experience to build a high-performing team that delivers exceptional results.

Editor: Moving to Chandigarh–Mohali means entering a market with its own distinct personality. What are your first impressions of the region, and what aspects of its hospitality culture have stood out to you? Mohali is a vibrant and rapidly evolving market and what made me more impressed is the genuine warmth of the people and their strong commitment to deliver exceptional hospitality, guest’s satisfaction, reflecting a culture that values quality and excellence.

Editor: The Chandigarh tri-city region attracts a fascinating mix of corporate travellers, destination weddings, medical tourists, and weekend leisure guests. How do you plan to create an experience that resonates with such diverse audiences? Our commitment is to stay focused and comprehend the specific preferences of every visitor, deliver personalized and consistently exceptional service. By creating memorable experiences for every segment, we aspire to exceed expectations and cultivate lasting relationships.

Editor: Guests in Punjab are often known for valuing warmth, generosity, and highly personalized service. How do you balance these cultural expectations with the consistency and brand standards of an international hotel group? At our property, hospitality begins with a deep understanding of cultural and emotional expectations of our guests. This mindset keeps us motivated and reflects the broader Indian tradition of placing the guests at the heart of every experience. We seamlessly blend the warmth and hospitality of Punjab, which they are predominantly known for, with the consistency of international brand standards. By personalizing every guest interaction while maintaining high service quality, we ensure every traveller enjoys both a local touch and a world-class experience.

Editor: Mohali has witnessed significant hospitality growth over the past few years, with new hotels and brands entering the market. In such a competitive landscape, what do you believe will differentiate Ramee Collection? Ramee Group of Hotels distinguishes itself through personalized guest experiences, premium hospitality, quality dining, and unwavering service excellence. Our focus is to thoughtfully curate momentous stays that foster deep relationships with visitors and position our hotel as the most preferred destination.

Editor: Looking back over your 18-year journey, is there a leadership lesson learned from the front office that still shapes the way you manage an entire hotel today? The most valuable lesson I gained is that leadership begins with leading by example. My front office experience reinforced that every guest interaction is an opportunity to create lasting impressions, and by supporting team members, ensuring crisp and clear communication, and staying visible across the hotel, is how you build trust, deliver excellence, and create a wholesome experience.

Editor: Many hoteliers talk about guest satisfaction scores, but memorable hospitality often comes from the small, unexpected moments. Can you share an experience that changed the way you think about guest service? The one happy incident that has stayed with me throughout my career was when I was associated with Radisson. A guest, who was unfamiliar with the city, needed to pick up a few personal items but had no idea where to go. A team member whose shift had already ended actually chose to stay back, drove the guest to the local market, helped him find what he needed and brought him back to the hotel. That moment taught me that true hospitality goes far beyond standard service. It is about showing genuine care and being willing to go the extra mile when it truly matters. The guest was deeply touched by this gesture, and I'm confident it became a memory he will cherish for life. This experience reinforced my belief that personalized service creates lasting impressions. When we serve guests beyond their expectations, we don't just meet their needs—we create meaningful experiences that build trust, loyalty, and lifelong memories.

Editor: Revenue growth and guest experience are sometimes seen as competing priorities. How do you ensure commercial performance without compromising the warmth and authenticity of hospitality? I believe revenue growth and guest experience go hand in hand. When guests receive genuine service, they are more likely to return, recommend the hotel, and spend more during their stay. My focus is on creating value rather than selling.

Editor: As someone stepping into a new city and leading a new team, what will your first 90 days look like? Will your focus be on people, processes, the product—or something else entirely? My first 90 days will focus on listening, learning, and building trust. I believe people come first, so I'll spend time understanding my team, our guests, and the local market. At the same time, I'll review key processes and identify quick improvements for seamless operations.

Editor: If we were to revisit this conversation a year from now, what would you hope people in Chandigarh's hospitality community are saying about Ashish Shekhar and Ramee Collection, Mohali? I hope people say that Ramee Collection Mohali and Ashish Shekhar compliment each other when it comes to genuine hospitality, consistent service, and a guest-first culture. I want our hotel to be recognized for creating memorable experiences, building a motivated team, and becoming one of the preferred destinations in the Mohali hospitality market through trust, quality, and service.

Quote from the interview: "True hospitality goes far beyond standard service. It is about showing genuine care and being willing to go the extra mile when it truly matters."