With an illustrious career shaped across India’s most respected hospitality giants… Taj, Marriott, Zuri, The Regent, and Radisson, Prakash Shankar steps into Radisson Resort Khopoli with a powerful blend of expertise, intuition, and vision. A true 360-degree hotelier, he brings the rare ability to transform properties from the ground up, having helmed multiple pre-openings, brand-building journeys, and high-impact turnarounds.

What sets Prakash apart is his people-first leadership, a philosophy that has consistently translated into exceptional guest experiences and high-performing teams. Under his stewardship, Radisson Resort Khopoli is evolving far beyond the idea of a scenic getaway. Nestled in the lush Sahyadri ranges, the resort is being thoughtfully reimagined as an immersive, nature-led sanctuary, complete with curated wellness trails, forest-inspired dining, stargazing nights, and design elements that echo the land’s raw beauty.

Prakash’s vision is sharp, contemporary, and deeply guest-centric. Whether it’s redefining MICE offerings with hybrid technologies and wellness-infused corporate retreats, elevating leisure stays with experiential upgrades, or building strong sustainability and community initiatives, his approach confidently positions Khopoli as one of Maharashtra’s most compelling destinations for both business and leisure travellers.

With 2026 on the horizon, Prakash Shankar is shaping a new benchmark for modern hospitality, where nature, luxury, community, and service excellence exist in effortless harmony. Here in an exclusive interview with Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz, Prakash Shankar, GM, Radisson Resort Khopoli talks about the luxe property, his vision for it and more…

Over To Prakash Shankar, General Media, Radisson Resort Khopoli

You’ve worked with some of the biggest hospitality brands in India. What unique strengths from your past experiences are you bringing to Radisson Resort Khopoli?

Prakash Shankar – My background is a synthesis of the finest practices from the biggest hospitality brands in India—Radisson, Taj, Marriott, Zuri, and The Regent. The unique strength I bring to Radisson Resort Khopoli is a proven 360-degree expertise across the hospitality lifecycle. This includes:

• Profit Centre Creation: My track record in successfully managing multiple pre-opening projects and transforming them into profitable assets is directly relevant. This isn’t just about launching a property; it’s about establishing efficient operating systems and a powerful market presence from day one.
• Diverse Property Management: I’ve excelled in city-center, suburban, and resort environments. This versatility ensures I understand the distinct needs of a tranquil, naturally-situated resort like Khopoli, and how its business mix—from weekend leisure to MICE—requires a precisely tailored strategy.
• Talent Development Focus: My strong emphasis on training and development ensures that our commitment to ‘People First’ translates into tangible, world-class service delivery. I bring a deep understanding of building high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams capable of delivering a seamless guest experience across all departments.”

Radisson Resort Khopoli is nestled in the scenic Sahyadri’s. How do you plan to leverage its natural surroundings to enhance the guest experience and differentiate the property from competitors?

Prakash Shankar – Radisson Resort Khopoli’s location amidst the scenic Sahyadri’s is our greatest asset. My plan is to transition the resort from merely being located in nature to being an immersive nature-led experience.

• Curated Wellness and Adventure: We have developed guided nature trails, sunrise yoga sessions overlooking the hills, and introduced a ‘Forest-to-Table’ culinary concept, utilizing local produce. We have also integrated nature elements into our spa treatments, emphasizing local, natural ingredients.
• Architectural Harmony: We are enhancing the use of our current outdoor spaces, particularly the rooftop infinity pool & the Courtyard to maximize the panoramic Sahyadri views, ensuring the resort’s design elements complement, rather than compete with, the natural landscape.
• Experiential Differentiation: While competitors offer a stay near nature, we are offering a stay in nature. This includes bespoke activities like monsoon photography workshops, stargazing nights, and incorporating local art and craft into the resort’s decor to celebrate the region’s heritage.

Your leadership philosophy centers around ‘People First.’ How do you intend to translate this into the day-to-day culture at Radisson Resort Khopoli? Are there any unique challenges you have faced?

Prakash Shankar – My ‘People First’ philosophy dictates that exceptional guest experience is an inevitable outcome of an exceptional employee experience. I intend to translate this into the day-to-day culture through:

• Empowerment and Ownership: We foster an environment where team members are empowered to make immediate, guest-centric decisions without bureaucratic hurdles. This drives a culture of ownership and elevates service recovery.
• Structured Mentorship and Growth: The focus on training and development is institutionalized through structured mentorship programs and clear career progression paths. We invest in our people so they see a long-term future with the Radisson brand.
• Open Communication and Well-being: We implement regular ‘Town Hall’ meetings , SKIP meets, one to one interaction etc. to name a few for anonymous feedback mechanism to ensure open communication. Staff wellness programs, including recreational activities and mental health support, is prioritized, ensuring a motivated and positive workforce.

The unique challenge in resort management is staff retention, particularly in locations away from major city centres. We address this head-on by creating a supportive, community-focused on-site living environment and offering competitive remuneration packages that recognize the value of local expertise and commitment.

The resort caters to both leisure and business travelers. What new initiatives or upgrades can guests expect under your management in the coming year?

Prakash Shankar – In the coming year, guests can expect a series of upgrades designed to elevate both the leisure retreat and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) experience.

Leisure & Family Initiatives

• Enhanced Kids’ and Teens’ Zone: A significant upgrade to our recreational facilities, moving beyond standard games to include interactive learning and local craft activities.
• Specialty Culinary Pop-ups: Introducing weekend ‘Gourmet Getaways’ featuring guest chefs or themed international cuisine pop-ups to enhance the dining variety for longer stays.
• Recreational Infrastructure: Upgrading pool-side amenities and introducing new soft-adventure options on the property grounds.

Business & MICE Upgrades

• Hybrid Meeting Technology: Investing in state-of-the-art Hybrid Meeting Technology for seamless virtual and in-person event integration, a critical need for modern corporate retreats.
• Wellness-Centric MICE Packages: Introducing specialized corporate & social packages that incorporate wellness breaks, short nature walks, and dedicated team-building activities that leverage the Sahyadri setting for a productive and rejuvenating meeting experience. This is a key differentiator in the MICE market.

Sustainability and community engagement are becoming essential to modern hospitality. What specific strategies do you plan to implement at Radisson Khopoli to strengthen these areas?

Prakash Shankar – Sustainability is not a trend; it is a fundamental pillar of modern, responsible hospitality, especially for a resort nestled in a sensitive ecological zone.

• Eco-Conscious Operations: We have implemented a rigorous water and energy conservation program, including transitioning to LED lighting and installing more efficient water heating systems. Setting up rain water harvest pits help us to maintain the water level. Our goal is to achieve a measurable reduction in our carbon footprint.
• Waste Management and Recycling: We are enhancing our waste segregation and recycling initiatives, with a long-term goal of eliminating single-use plastics from the property. We have already installed In house RO water bottling plant for consumption.
• Local Sourcing and Empowerment: Our commitment to the community involve significantly increasing the procurement of food and supplies from local farmers and artisans. Furthermore, we will establish a vocational training program to equip local youth with hospitality skills, thereby creating direct employment opportunities and contributing to the regional economy. This fosters a truly symbiotic relationship.

You have led several pre-opening and rebranding projects in your career. Do you foresee any brand refresh or experience enhancements at Radisson Resort Khopoli?

Prakash Shankar – Having successfully led several rebranding and pre-opening projects, I foresee an experience enhancement focused on refining and strengthening the resort’s identity rather than a full brand refresh.

• ‘Sahyadri Sanctuary’ Positioning: We are refining the resort’s positioning as a premium ‘Sahyadri Sanctuary’—a space that connects modern comfort with natural tranquillity. This involves a subtle refresh of our communications and guest touchpoints to consistently reflect this theme.
• Elevated Arrival and Farewell Experience: The first and last impressions are critical. We enhance the arrival experience with a locally inspired welcome ritual and ensure a personalized, memorable farewell that reinforces the resort’s connection to its natural surroundings.

Digital Guest Journey: Strong digital footprint presence in today’s world is a must, we ensure our digital platforms provides a seamless guest journey, from pre-arrival communications to on-site service requests, making the experience more intuitive and efficient.

Operational efficiency is key to successful resort management. What immediate operational priorities will you focus on to drive excellence at Radisson Khopoli?

Prakash Shankar – To drive immediate operational excellence, my focus will be on three key areas:

1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Optimization: We conduct a comprehensive review of all core SOPs to streamline processes, particularly in the Room Division and F&B departments, to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure service consistency and speed.
2. Energy and Utility Management: Implementing smart energy monitoring systems to track consumption in real-time. This is a crucial step for controlling utility costs—a significant operational expenditure—and supporting our sustainability goals.
3. Guest Feedback Mechanism & Action Loop: Enhancing the speed and depth of our guest feedback system. The goal is to move from simply collecting feedback to implementing a rapid Action Loop where identified issues are resolved and communicated back to the guest, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement.

Radisson Resort Khopoli has significant potential as a weekend getaway and MICE destination. How do you plan to amplify its market presence and attract more guests from Mumbai, Pune, and beyond?

Prakash Shankar – Radisson Resort Khopoli’s strategic location between the major markets of Mumbai and Pune positions it for significant growth in both the weekend getaway and MICE segments.

• Targeted Digital Campaigns: We will launch geo-targeted digital marketing campaigns focused specifically on the high-net-worth individuals and corporate decision-makers in Mumbai and Pune, emphasizing the ‘two-hour escape’ and our superior MICE facilities.
• MICE Partnership Drives: We  actively engage with corporate event planners and MICE agencies in both cities, hosting familiarization trips and offering attractive, value-added packages that highlight our versatile indoor (Imperial Ballroom and Zenith Hall) and outdoor event spaces, particularly for destination weddings and corporate off-sites.
• Themed Weekend Packages: Introducing distinct, high-value weekend packages, such as ‘Sahyadri Monsoon Retreats’ or ‘Khopoli Adventure Weekends,’ that bundle accommodation with curated activities (trekking, local excursions) to drive occupancy during shoulder seasons and holidays. Our proximity to attractions like Imagicaa can also be leveraged through family-centric packages to draw in the leisure crowd.