SH Hotels & Resorts, the renowned hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels & Homes, Baccarat Hotels & Residences, and Treehouse Hotels, is pleased to announce the promotion of Abhay Bakaya to Chief Development Officer. Bakaya, a driving force behind the company’s development efforts for several years, steps into this pivotal role to lead an international team in the global expansion of the brand’s portfolio, and spearhead broader strategic planning as the company explores new hotel and branded residential opportunities.
“Abhay’s appointment highlights our commitment to strategic growth and brand extension and we are confident that his leadership will fuel our ongoing success as we expand globally,” said Raul Leal, CEO at SH Hotels & Resorts. “Development requires a delicate blend of relationship-building and negotiation skills. Abhay’s proven ability to navigate these complexities, coupled with his track record, makes him an invaluable asset to our team.
“I am thrilled to take on this role at such a dynamic time for SH Hotels & Resorts,” said Bakaya. “Our industry demands not just vision but also meticulous execution, and I’m eager to lead our development initiatives as we continue to innovate, expand into new markets, and push the standard of hospitality for our dynamic brands.”
With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Bakaya brings extensive expertise in real estate and business development, having worked with esteemed brands such as Fairmont-Raffles Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International before joining SH Hotels & Resorts in 2017. Since then, Bakaya has held various development positions within SH Hotels, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Development, where he has successfully orchestrated key deals, signing a mix of conversions, new build hotels, and mixed-use projects across the brand spectrum in several countries and regions.
SH Hotels & Resorts is actively advancing its presence across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. In addition to the ten luxury, mission-driven 1 Hotel properties currently open, the brand has exciting projects under development in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Seattle, Austin, Elounda Hills (Crete), Paris, San Miguel de Allende, Cabo, and Riyadh. Expanding upon Baccarat Hotels & Residences’ flagship property in New York, the iconic, ultra-luxurious brand will be opening properties in Rome, Florence, Dubai, Riyadh, Brickell (Miami), and Maldives. Building on the success of Treehouse Hotel London, Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley and Manchester will open their doors this year bringing guests into a world of nostalgia filled with playful moments. Projects in Brickell (Miami), Adelaide and Riyadh will follow.
