Leadership transitions in luxury hospitality often signal the next phase of strategic growth. The Serai Resorts has appointed Saibal Sen as Chief Operating Officer at a time when the brand is sharpening operational focus and reinforcing its positioning within India’s premium experiential hospitality segment.
The Serai Resorts has announced the appointment of Saibal Sen as Chief Operating Officer, effective 6 February 2026. In his new role, Sen will oversee day-to-day operations, lead strategic initiatives, and support the brand’s expansion and long-term growth plans. He will report to Malavika Hegde, Chairperson, and M Venkatesh, Director, The Serai Resorts.
The appointment comes at what the company describes as a pivotal phase, as the brand seeks to strengthen operational excellence and consolidate its presence in the luxury hospitality space.
Commenting on the appointment, Malavika Hegde, Director, Café Coffee Day Hotels & Resorts, said, “Saibal’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer marks an important step in strengthening The Serai Resorts’ leadership team. He brings a strong balance of operational rigour and people-centric leadership. We look forward to his contribution in further elevating our brand promise as well as driving long-term value for all stakeholders.”
Operational depth and growth experience
Sen brings extensive experience in hotel operations, asset management, and business development. His background includes driving profitability, enhancing operational efficiencies, strengthening asset-owner relationships, and leading sales and marketing initiatives aligned with long-term stakeholder objectives.
Speaking on his appointment, Saibal Sen, Chief Operating Officer, The Serai Resorts, said, “It is a privilege to join The Serai Resorts at this exciting phase of the brand’s journey. Hospitality, at its core, is about consistency of experience, empowered teams, and thoughtful operations. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and resort teams to further strengthen operational excellence, elevate guest experiences, and build sustainable long-term value.”
Prior to joining The Serai Resorts, Sen served as Vice President – Operations at Evolve Back Resorts. His career spans senior leadership and general management roles across several hospitality brands, including the Taj Group, the erstwhile Starwood Group, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. He is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai.
Brand positioning in experiential luxury
The Serai Resorts is the luxury hospitality arm of Coffee Day Enterprises, with properties located in Chikmagalur, Kabini, and Bandipur. The brand positions itself around destination-led experiences, combining natural settings with refined hospitality standards.
With Sen’s appointment, The Serai Resorts aims to align operational consistency with its long-term growth ambitions across India’s luxury leisure market.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
