Sahara Star Strengthens Leadership Team to Elevate Excellence

March 2025, National: Sahara Star, one of Mumbai’s renowned luxury hotels, announces key leadership appointments across departments to enhance guest experiences, optimize operations, and drive innovation.

Bringing over 22 years of diverse experience spanning hospitality, ITES, retailand FMCG,Santosh Singh has been promoted to Hotel Manager. Previously serving as Head of Procurement for Sahara Star &Aamby Valley City, he played a pivotal role in streamlining operations, optimizing costs, and driving efficiency.

A results-driven leader with expertise in strategic planning, sales & marketingand business expansion, Mr. Singh has successfully led new business ventures, standardized operations, and driven profitability across his career. His process-oriented approach and analytical acumen make him a key asset in elevating Sahara Star’s guest experience, operational excellenceand overall brand growth.

With nearly two decades of expertise in revenue management, digital transformation and AI-driven business intelligence,Vikram Prakash Bhardwaj joins as Head of Revenue, Strategy & Growth. His strategic approach has played a crucial role in driving profitability across multiple hospitality verticals, including rooms, banquets, F&B, membership and MICE.

Vikram has also been instrumental in launching A-Star Academy—India’s only hotel school, spearheading project and process automationand leading key technology upgrades to enhance guest loyalty programs.

With 23 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Chef Ranjan Rajani has been promoted to Corporate Chef, Sahara Star &Aamby Valley City. Previously serving as the Executive Chef at Hotel Sahara Star, he has been a driving force in culinary innovation, menu development, and kitchen operations.

His previous experience includes working with esteemed hospitality brands such as Oberoi, Marriott, and Hyatt. As Corporate Chef, he will continue to redefine dining experiences, ensure quality excellence, and introduce progressive culinary concepts to elevate the brand’s gastronomic offerings.

Deepali Pinheiro, formerly the Front Office Manager at Sahara Star, has been promoted to Rooms Division Manager. With extensive experience in guest services and hotel operations, she has played a vital role in enhancing guest satisfaction and optimizing front office operations.

Her leadership journey includes roles at The Lalit, Western Hotel Abu Dhabi, Almanar Hotels Dubai, Ramee Group of Hotels, Dubai and Fariyas, Mumbai. In her new role, she will focus on driving operational efficiency, refining guest experiences, and ensuring seamless service delivery across the room’s division.

Karishma Raghuvanshi – Training and Development and Recruitment Head & Business Head A-Star Academy

Ms. Karishma Raghuvanshi has been appointed as the Head of Recruitment, Training, and Development at Hotel Sahara Star, further strengthening the hotel’s commitment to nurturing top talent. In addition to this role, she now takes on the added responsibility of Business Head at A-Star Academy, India’s only dedicated hotel school, where she will help shape the future of hospitality education. With a strong background in hospitality and talent acquisition, Karishma has played a key role in identifying and nurturing top talent as Head – Talent Acquisition & Membership at Hotel Sahara Star. She brings a wealth of experience in identifying and developing talent, building high-performing teams, and understanding the ever-evolving hospitality landscape. Her expertise makes her the ideal leader to guide A-Star Academy into its next phase of growth and innovation, creating a dynamic learning environment that bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

“The strength of a great hotel lies in the passion and expertise of its people. Our new leadership team embodies this spirit, bringing valuable experience and fresh perspectives to Sahara Star. Their commitment to excellence will help us set new benchmarks in hospitality, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and operational success,” said Salil Fadnis, General Manager, Sahara Star.

With this dynamic leadership team in place, Sahara Star continues its journey of innovation and excellence, redefining luxury hospitality in Mumbai.

 

Sahara Star, the flagship hotel of Sahara India Pariwar, is one of India’s most desirable destinations. The 5-star deluxe hotel, strategically located near Mumbai’s domestic airport, is known for its iconic architecture and pillar-less clear-to-sky dome. Blending modern comfort with Indian influences, the hotel offers 354 well-appointed rooms, 24 suites, four specialty restaurants, and versatile event spaces. With a commitment to refined opulence and exceptional hospitality, Sahara Star continues to create memorable experiences for guests from around the world.