Meet the team

Raghav has spent 22 years in hotels, starting at the front desk of a heritage property in Chennai and moving through rooms and operations roles in Bengaluru, Pune and Muscat. He has led Novis since it opened in 2019. He walks the hotel every morning before 8 and still reads every guest comment card himself.

Born in Hyderabad's Old City, Chef Arif learned to cook in his family's kitchen before formal training and 18 years in hotel kitchens in Hyderabad, Delhi and Dubai. He oversees Jharokha, the Sunset Deck grill and all banquet food. His dum biryani and the Sunday nihari are the dishes regulars ask for.

Shruti looks after reservations, the front desk, the bell desk and concierge. She has 11 years of hotel experience in Mangaluru, Goa and Hyderabad and joined Novis in 2021. If you need a car at 4 am, a late checkout or a restaurant recommendation in Jubilee Hills, she is the person to ask.

Nandita has planned more than 600 weddings, conferences and family functions over 14 years, first with a convention hotel in Bengaluru and since 2019 at Novis. She manages Kohinoor Hall, Pichola Hall, the Terrace Lawn and the Golconda Boardroom, and stays with each event from the first site visit to the final bill.

Karthik runs service at Jharokha, the Sunset Deck, Chai & Co. and in-room dining. He has worked in restaurants and hotel bars for 13 years, including six with a luxury group in Bengaluru. He trains every new server himself and is usually the one checking tables during Sunday brunch.

Lavanya is a trained Ayurvedic therapist with 10 years in spa operations at wellness resorts in Kerala and Coorg. At Novis she designs the treatment menu, trains the therapists and changes the oils with the seasons. She is happy to advise guests on which treatment suits them best.

Kavitha leads a team of 40 that looks after the rooms, public areas, laundry and gardens. She has 16 years of housekeeping experience in hotels in Chennai and Hyderabad. Her team makes the Diwali rangoli on the lawn every year and treats it as seriously as a room inspection.