By Mewati Sitaram
Aurika, Mumbai Skycity, India’s largest hotel by room inventory, has announced the elevation of Pankaj Kumar, also known as Dogra to the role of General Manager. Prior to this, he served as the Hotel Manager and played a crucial role in establishing operational excellence at the flagship property, which features 669 rooms and suites. A passionate and strategic hotelier, Dogra brings more than 19 years of extensive experience across luxury and business hotels in India.
Pankaj is the first member of his family to enter the hospitality industry, breaking the tradition of a family deeply rooted in the Indian defence forces. With his father serving in the Indian Army, Dogra spent his early years moving across the North East region of the country, completing his schooling in Aizawl and Shillong. Fueled by a love for hospitality and strong support from his parents, he pursued hotel management at the Oriental School of Hotel Management in Kerala and graduated in the year 2004.
His career began in banquets from the Pre-opening of Grand Hyatt Mumbai and spanned across prestigious brands including Taj Lands End, JW Marriott Mumbai, The Lalit Mumbai, Hyatt Regency Kolkata, Hyatt Regency Mumbai, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, and InterContinental Hotels Group. He served as Director of Food and Beverage at Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort and Spa before joining Aurika Hotels & Resorts. He also founded ProFNB, a creative hospitality startup that supported hotels and restaurants with business innovation and community engagement.
At Aurika, Mumbai Skycity, Dogra climbed the leadership ladder from Director of Operations to Hotel Manager and now General Manager. Known for his hands-on and collaborative style, he believes in personally connecting with guests and driving a culture of excellence among his team. He continues to elevate the guest experience while focusing on operational efficiency, innovation, and brand positioning.
Speaking about his journey, Dogra said, “I am associated with Aurika Mumbai from the pre-opening stage. It’s teamwork that creates wonderful experiences for guests and makes them feel like they’re in a home away from home—that’s what truly makes your day. I have learnt the nuances of managing such a huge property under the leadership of Harkaran Singh Gandhiok, who trusted the ability of the entire team. I am thankful to him for sharing his Guru Mantras with me.”
He further added, “It’s a tough task to handle India’s largest hotel. On a daily basis, we are highly occupied, with more than a thousand guests having breakfast alone. We’ve successfully catered to many prestigious events, and most recently, the national Rugby team stayed at Aurika for over a fortnight. They left thoroughly satisfied with our services and the great food, which is a true testament to the dedication of our team.”
Pankaj, with a sense of pride and gratitude, shared that he is deeply thankful to Lemon Tree Hotels leadership team for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading Aurika, Mumbai Skycity as General Manager. He expressed that being chosen to head such a landmark property is not only an honour but also a motivation to further uphold the standards of excellence the hotel is known for. He added that this elevation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. “When management places their faith in their people,” he said, “it fosters a culture of trust, commitment, and shared success. I’m proud to be part of this remarkable journey.”
With Pankaj Kumar Dogra at the helm, Aurika Mumbai Skycity is set to continue its journey as a benchmark of luxury, scale, and service in Indian hospitality.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
