Anuraag Bhatnagar

Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is a dynamic leader with an impeccable track record of over 35 years. He has spearheaded hotels across world renowned Indian and international brands positioning them as leaders in the market through strategic and inspirational leadership, a passion for operational excellence and an unwavering focus on delivering highly personalized and memorable guest experiences.
Known as the ‘Man with the Midas Touch’, Bhatnagar is currently responsible for strengthening and elevating The Leela’s positioning as an epitome of true Indian luxury while driving the brand’s future growth.
He spent his early years learning the fine art of being a luxury hotelier with The Oberoi Group of Hotels. He then joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts and subsequently transitioned to Marriott International post the merger of the two companies, where he was the Multi-Property Vice President, Mumbai and Goa, overseeing 12 hotels. Working across brands like St. Regis, W Hotels and The Ritz- Carlton, he honed his skills in delivering curated and crafted luxury hospitality experiences. For him, luxury is all about authenticity, anticipation, innovation and personalization, and teamwork is what makes the magic happen.

Success Mantras:
“In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves seeking shortcuts and quick fixes to achieve our goals. The allure of instant gratification can be tempting, but when it comes to true success and personal growth, there is no substitute for good old-fashioned hard work. I have always believed that there is no shortcut to success. Working hard is working smart. Pushing yourself to set your own benchmarks and having the agility to learn and grow is important both for professional and personal advancement. Resilience plays Resilience plays a very important role given the nature and the dynamics of our business. Having the energy and tenacity to be the best version of yourself and being that everyday consistently is not easy, but important. Above all, don’t take yourself too seriously. Have a good sense of humour and the ability to laugh at yourself once in a while. After all, success is never final and failure never fatal.”