The Leela Palace Bengaluru has appointed Tejal Somani as Assistant Front Office Manager, bringing front office and guest services experience gained across several luxury hospitality properties in India. Somani joins the Bengaluru hotel after serving as Duty Manager at Grand Hyatt Mumbai, continuing his career in rooms operations and guest experience management.
His professional background includes roles at Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, Kochi Marriott and Sheraton Grand Whitefield in Bengaluru. With experience spanning duty management, front desk supervision and structured hotel training programmes, Somani brings exposure to different operating environments within the luxury and premium hospitality segments.
This appointment supports Leela’s organisational growth, aligning with broader momentum in hotel appointments.New Responsibilities at The Leela Palace Bengaluru
As Assistant Front Office Manager, Somani will support the hotel’s front office operations, guest services and overall guest experience. The role involves coordinating front desk activities, supporting the team in delivering service standards and helping ensure a smooth guest journey from arrival through departure.
Front office management plays an important role in the functioning of a luxury hotel, bringing together reservations coordination, check-in and check-out procedures, guest requests and communication with other departments. The Assistant Front Office Manager position requires attention to operational details, effective team coordination and the ability to respond to guest needs.
Somani’s previous experience in duty management and front desk operations provides a foundation for these responsibilities. His appointment also continues his progression through rooms division roles, with experience across properties operated by leading hospitality groups.
Experience at Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Before joining The Leela Palace Bengaluru, Somani worked as Duty Manager at Grand Hyatt Mumbai. The role added to his experience in hotel operations and guest services, building on his earlier assignments in front office management and rooms operations.
Duty management positions require coordination across departments to address guest requirements and operational matters. The experience provides exposure to service recovery, operational decision-making and maintaining service standards during daily hotel operations.
His move to The Leela Palace Bengaluru follows this assignment and places him in an Assistant Front Office Manager role at another luxury hospitality property.
Leadership Experience at Taj Falaknuma Palace
From September 2024 to December 2025, Somani served as Duty Manager at Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad. His experience at the property added to his exposure to luxury hotel operations and the service expectations associated with a high-end hospitality environment.
The position formed an important stage in his development within rooms operations, following his earlier role at Kochi Marriott. His experience across different hotel environments has provided exposure to front office processes and guest-facing responsibilities.
Front Office Experience at Kochi Marriott
Before joining Taj Falaknuma Palace, Somani worked as Assistant Front Desk Manager at Kochi Marriott from February to August 2024.
The role gave him experience in front desk operations and the coordination of guest services. As part of the rooms division, the position required attention to service delivery and the daily requirements of hotel guests.
His progression from the Assistant Front Desk Manager role to duty management positions reflects a career focused on front office operations and the delivery of guest services across established hospitality brands.
Beginning His Career at Sheraton Grand Whitefield
Somani began his professional career with Marriott International through its Rooms Division Voyager programme at Sheraton Grand Whitefield, Bengaluru, where he worked from June 2022 to February 2024.
The programme provided a structured entry into hotel operations, with a focus on developing practical knowledge of the rooms division. This early experience established a foundation for his subsequent front office and duty management assignments.
His career also includes industrial training with The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) in Jodhpur, along with apprenticeships at IndiSmart Group of Hotels, Novotel Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Kolkata.
These early training experiences exposed him to different hospitality environments and provided an introduction to hotel operations before he progressed into full-time professional roles.
A Career Focused on Rooms Operations
Somani’s professional journey has centred on front office operations, guest services and rooms division management. His experience across Marriott, Hyatt and Taj properties, together with his early industry training, has given him exposure to different hotel operating structures and service environments.
His progression from the Rooms Division Voyager programme to front desk management and duty management positions has involved increasing responsibility within guest-facing operations. These roles require coordination, communication and the ability to respond to operational needs while maintaining service standards.
At The Leela Palace Bengaluru, Somani will apply this experience to supporting front office functions and delivering the hotel’s guest experience. His appointment continues his development in luxury hospitality, with a focus on operational execution and guest services.
Supporting the Guest Experience at The Leela Palace Bengaluru
The Leela Palace Bengaluru is part of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts portfolio, serving guests in one of India’s major business and leisure destinations. Front office operations form a central part of the property’s service delivery, connecting guests with the hotel’s wider facilities and services.
Somani’s responsibilities as Assistant Front Office Manager will include supporting daily operations, coordinating guest services and helping maintain the standards expected at the property. His background across luxury hotels and rooms division training provides relevant experience for the position.
With his latest appointment, Somani continues a career built around front office operations and guest experience, bringing experience from Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Kochi Marriott and Sheraton Grand Whitefield to his new role.
