New GM appointed at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry

By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: New GM appointed at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry.

Raj Balsaraf has been appointed as Genaral Manager at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry, the 121-bedroom hotel on-site at Coventry Building Society Arena. Balsaraf has more than 16 years’ experience working in the hotel and leisure industry and has worked for some of the biggest brands in the UK.

It is his first appointment in the position of General Manager and sees him return to Hilton after starting his career at the Hilton London Croydon Hotel in 2006.

Balsaraf spent the first seven years of his career working for Hilton across three different sites in London — Croydon, Bracknell, Kensington.

Since first leaving Hilton, he has worked with major brands including InterContinental Hotels Group, Jurys Inn Hotel Group, Accor Hotels and Millenium Hotels and Resorts.

Raj Balsaraf, General Manager, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry

While at Jurys Inn Hotel Group, Balsaraf was part of the management team that oversaw an £11 million refurbishment of their Oxford hotel in December 2016. This added 72 bedrooms to the existing 168, launched a new bar and new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill with 180 covers, and renovated the Juvenate Health & Leisure Club.

He has four years’ experience as a hotel Operations Manager from his time at Millennium Hotels and Resorts in Birmingham. In the new role at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry, he will lead a team of 40 staff and be responsible for driving standards throughout the property.

Balsaraf’s commitment to improving the premium, luxury experience for customers at the hotel was highlighted when he commented saying: “I’m excited to be taking on this new role and to work with the established team here to drive improvement across the hotel.

“It’s a great time to be joining the hotel, particularly with the eyes of the world set to turn on the venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in a few months’ time.”

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