It’s that time of the year again — the prestigious Hotelier India Awards are on the horizon. To set the stage for the much-anticipated 15th edition, the Grand Jury Meet was hosted at the JW Marriott Sahar, Mumbai, which provided the perfect blend of elegance and professionalism for this landmark event. Esteemed jury members from across the country convened in this stellar venue for an action-packed day of discussions, deliberations, and decisions. The impeccable service, serene ambience, and world-class amenities of JW Marriott Sahar created an inspiring environment, reflecting the prestige of the awards and ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees.
With over 1,400 nominations, the 15th edition marked one of the highest in terms of the entries received. As Bibhor Srivastava, Managing Director, Events & Conferences, ITP Media India, stated in his welcome note, “The sheer number of entries is a testament to the talent, innovation, and resilience of the hospitality industry. It’s an honour to have such a distinguished panel help us determine the winners.”
A Transparent Judging Process
To manage the extensive list of nominations, the Hotelier India team meticulously divided the jury into three groups:
• Group One: Judging the ‘Luxury to Upper Upscale Hotels’.
• Group Two: Assessing ‘Upscale to Midscale Hotels’.
• Group Three: Evaluating ‘Economy to Budget Hotels’.
Before the evaluations began, the jury was briefed on the scoring procedures to ensure the awards maintained their hallmark of transparency and authenticity. Srivastava outlined the four critical judging parameters:
- Innovation: How nominees displayed creativity and adapted to challenges.
- Performance: The measurable impact of their contributions.
- Insight: Their approach to sustainability, resource management, and team spirit.
- Business Ethics: Upholding integrity while driving business success.
The detailed explanation of these parameters set the tone for a fair and unbiased assessment process.
Animated Discussions and a Memorable Photo Shoot
With the groundwork laid, the jury retreated to their designated rooms, where vibrant discussions and debates ensued. The passion and expertise of the panel were palpable as they sifted through the nominations, evaluating achievements that showcased resilience, creativity, and excellence.
During the lunch break, camaraderie took center stage as the jury gathered for a fun and lively cover photo shoot. The session captured the spirit of collaboration and the shared commitment of industry leaders towards recognizing exceptional talent.
Jury Reflections
As the day progressed, the deliberations were peppered with insightful comments from the jury members.
Ranju Alex, Area Vice President – South Asia, Marriott International, remarked on the excitement of the event, saying, “Every year, this feels like a room I know so well, yet it comes with a fresh dose of excitement. The growing number of applications reflect the industry’s progress, and I’m sure this year will celebrate some truly great performances.”
Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Country Head – India, Hilton, emphasized the importance of the awards in recognizing new talent: “Hotelier India has been the gold standard in hospitality journalism for 15 years. Today has been an intense yet rewarding day as we deliberated over high-caliber nominations. This platform ensures the bright stars of tomorrow are recognized, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Chalet Hotels, said, “We’re back to the same part of the year where we sort of judge the best talent in hospitality, and what a bunch of talent that we’ve gone through today. It’s been incredible to go through the applications that we received, many of them very, very able applicants. We’re very excited about the results of the jury meets that we’ve had, and may the best person win in each category. A quick, nostalgic update on Hotelier India: I’ve been part of it since its inception. I recall that the first office of Hotelier India was in the same building as ours, and it’s been a fabulous journey watching it grow. My best wishes to all the applicants.”
Vikram Cotah, Chief Executive Officer, GRT Hotels & Resorts, praised the meticulous evaluation process, saying, “The process is fabulous and transparent. Detailed questions help us assess key metrics easily. The nominations are a great indicator of how well the industry is doing.”
Souvagya Mohapatra, Managing Director (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan), Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, who has been associated with Hotelier India for over 12 years, highlighted the magazine’s excellence and enduring legacy. “Hotelier India is not just a magazine; it represents excellence. Every month, professionals — whether young or seasoned — look forward to the intellectual insights and tourism details it provides. Being part of the jury is always an enriching experience, especially as the competition grows stronger each year.”
The jury also appreciated the awards’ focus on inclusivity. Chef Rakesh Sethi, Corporate Executive Chef, Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, commended the platform for recognizing talent from smaller towns and tier-two and tier-three cities: “It’s inspiring to see this platform recognize talent from all corners of India, not just the metropolises. The transparent and fair judging process makes this a truly credible platform.”
As the jury regrouped post-lunch to continue deliberations, the Hotelier India team managed to capture moments of camaraderie through a cover shoot, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the day.
Sonica Malhotra, Joint Managing Director, MBD Group, said, “It’s been a very overwhelming and exciting journey to evaluate the nominations. Must say that the awards is a very fair and profound platform to recognise talent.”
Jatin Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, and a long-time participant, expressed gratitude for the journey: “From being a nominee to now serving on the jury, it’s been an incredible experience. These awards are the most awaited in our industry.”
Celebrating Excellence
The jury’s hard work set the stage for the glittering Awards Night, where the winners will be revealed. As Jatin Khanna aptly put it, “These are the most awaited awards for us as hoteliers. From being a nominee to now serving on the jury, the journey has been incredible.”
The winners of the 15th Hotelier India Awards will be announced at the Awards Night at JW Marriott Aerocity, Delhi. As the hospitality industry eagerly awaits this grand celebration, the Jury Meet set the tone for yet another remarkable edition of these prestigious awards.
The event, as Satyen Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Pride Hotels, noted, is a platform not only for recognition but also for learning: “The awards showcase industry trends and insights, making it a valuable experience for all of us.”
As the day drew to a close, the jury’s deliberations reinforced the values of innovation, perseverance, and excellence that the Hotelier India Awards stand for. With a rich legacy and an unwavering commitment to excellence, the Hotelier India Awards continue to honour the best and brightest in the hospitality industry, ensuring that the stage is set for future stars to shine
