Ashish Rai quits The Leela to join Westin Mumbai

MUMBAI: Ashish Kumar Rai, GM of The Leela, Mumbai, will join the Westin Mumbai Garden City in a similar role. As general manager, he will oversee the operations and management of the 269-room property, Westin Mumbai Garden City.

The shift comes as Anuraag Bhatnagar, GM of Westin and area general manager India at Starwood Hotels has moved to join as GM of Starwood's upcoming luxury property St Regis at Lower Parel in Mumbai. Bhatnagar confirmed the development. Rai began his career with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts as a management trainee in 1998, went on to lead the front office department at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru and worked in different positions at various luxury hotels.

Bhatnagar of Starwood will continue to serve as the area general manager along with his new role as the GM of St Regis, Mumbai. Starwood Hotels plans to have 100 hotels either in operation, under development or management contracts signed by the end of 2016.