Ankush Katwal

A seasoned hotel professional with over 17 years of extensive experience across luxury, boutique, wildlife, palace, and city business hotels in India and the Middle East. Currently working at senior leadership level as General Manager/ Resort Manager / Hotel Manager, with strong exposure to full-spectrum hotel operations including guest experience management, financial performance, revenue generation, brand compliance, and people leadership. Known for a hands-on leadership style, strong operational discipline, and the ability to maintain calm decision-making under pressure.

Possesses a deep understanding of all hotel functions and a proactive mindset focused on service excellence, repeat business, and sustainable commercial success.

Hotel Manager - Neemrana Fort Palace - Neemrana, Rajasthan

(2026-03)

Luxury Heritage palace hotel comprising 92 well-appointed guest rooms, 4 food & beverage outlets, and 3 banquet halls catering to corporate, social, and MICE segments. Functioning as the primary strategic business leader of the property with complete responsibility for hotel operations, guest satisfaction, employee engagement, financial performance, sales and revenue generation, and overall asset performance. Responsible for delivering expected return on investment to Neemrana Hotels Pvt.

Ltd. and property ownership while maintaining brand standards and positioning. Driving the implementation of brand service strategies, operational initiatives, and quality programs to enhance guest experience, improve market share, and achieve sustainable profitability. Leading, mentoring, and holding the property leadership team accountable for execution of business plans, professional development, and performance outcomes.

Maintaining strong alignment between owner expectations and brand objectives through regular communication and transparent performance reporting.

• Business Strategy Development: Continuously monitoring hospitality industry trends, competitive landscape, and local market conditions to identify business opportunities and potential risks. Developing short-term and long-term business plans focused on maximizing customer satisfaction, profitability, and market penetration. Ensuring that all strategic initiatives are aligned with brand vision and translating corporate strategies into practical, executable property-level action plans.
• Business Strategy Execution: Ensuring effective execution of approved business plans by aligning all departments with defined strategic priorities. Holding department heads and leadership teams accountable for performance results, timelines, and service delivery standards. Working closely with Sales and Marketing teams to drive demand generation, optimize segmentation, and strengthen the hotel's competitive positioning.
• Talent Management and Organizational Capability: Building and sustaining a high-performing Executive Committee through structured coaching, mentoring, and continuous feedback. Driving learning and development initiatives, succession planning, and capability enhancement to ensure leadership continuity and operational excellence. Creating a culture of accountability, engagement, and professional growth across all departments.
• Brand Champion: Acting as a strong ambassador and custodian of the brand by ensuring brand intent, service philosophy, and standards are consistently delivered at all guest touchpoints. Inspiring teams to live the brand values and represent the organization with professionalism and integrity at all times.
• Business Information Analysis: Regularly reviewing and analyzing key performance indicators including market share, financial results, employee engagement metrics, and guest satisfaction scores. Utilizing insights from data analysis to drive corrective actions, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall business performance.
• Employee and Labor Relations: Ensuring fair and consistent employee treatment across all levels of the organization. Maintaining an open-door policy to encourage transparent communication and trust. Promoting a positive work environment while ensuring compliance with labor laws, internal policies, and market-aligned pay and benefit structures.
• Revenue Management: Collaborating closely with revenue and sales teams to develop pricing strategies, demand forecasting, yield management, and inventory controls aimed at maximizing RevPAR and overall revenue. Monitoring labor and capital expenses to ensure cost efficiency without compromising service quality.
• Owner Relations: Building strong and professional relationships with ownership through proactive communication and detailed performance reviews. Presenting financial and operational analysis in a transparent manner while balancing owner expectations with brand standards and long-term asset value creation.
• Customer & Public Relations: Maintaining high visibility within the hotel by actively engaging with guests to gather feedback, resolve concerns, and ensure service recovery where required. Strengthening the hotel's public image through effective handling of VIP guests, group requirements, and community engagement initiatives.
• Policy & Standards Compliance: Ensuring strict adherence to legal, statutory, safety, operational, and brand standards. Conducting regular audits, inspections, and leadership walk-throughs to maintain high levels of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across the property.

General Manager - Grand Continent, A Luxury Collection - Udaipur

(2025-09 - 2025-11)

Hotel Manager - Radisson Lake City Mall - Udaipur

(2024-07 - 2025-09)

General Manager - The Greenwood Hotels & Resorts - Guwahati

(2023-11 - 2024-06)

Assistant General Manager - Ramada by Wyndham - Mussoorie

(2021-05 - 2023-08)

Manager Operations / Resort Head - Aahana The Corbett Wilderness

(2020-10 - 2021-04)

Operations Manager / Resort Head - The Serai Bandipur

(2016-08 - 2020-10)

Guest Relations Coordinator - Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa - Dubai

(2012-10 - 2016-07)

Executive Butler - Jumeirah at Etihad Towers - Abu Dhabi

(2012-04 - 2012-09)

Senior Butler / Host - One&Only Royal Mirage - Dubai

(2011-05 - 2012-03)

Butler – Palace Services - The Leela Palace - Udaipur

(2009-04 - 2011-02)

Industrial Trainee - Park Hyatt Resort & Spa - Goa

(2007-05 - 2007-10)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Hotel Management & Catering Technology - Institute of Hotel Management, Dehradun (2006 - 2009)