Meena Bhatia : In It for the Long Run

Meena Bhatia

In It for the Long Run

Standing tall as a woman ahead of her time, she has been a hospitality professional based in Delhi for nearly 40 years now, 30 of which has been with Le Meridien New Delhi. It’s home to Meena Bhatia

Interviewed by Lyle Michael

Commitment is no issue for this hospitality veteran who continues to stay the arduous course. It’s been a faithful marriage for Meena Bhatia and Le Meridien New Delhi, 30 years this year, and more to go. A voyage with its ups and downs, but one that has undoubtedly marked her as a woman ahead of her time, an effective leader above all.
We recall when we met with Meena a few years ago at the launch of Le Meridien Gurgaon – taken over by the Starwood Group in 2005, now in the hands of Marriott – and thought to ourselves, here’s a woman of poise. But what strikes you most upon first impressions is her confidence and graceful authority wherever she goes. Hardly a surprise if you knew the professional behind the woman, one who rose the ranks to lead a brand that spells upscale service.
“Meridien has always been a very special brand,” smiles Meena, “to its guests who have visited over the years and to me who joined the family in 1991. Everyone associates the memory of their stay with the beautiful architecture of the hotel (Le Meridien New Delhi) and look back upon that fabulous glass atrium – the tallest then – and capsule elevators.” The property led the brand flag, with 60 properties at the time, and continues to, to this day. What began as a French-led brand when it opened in the '80s in India is today all American, rising to every challenge it has faced along the way – whether it be the delay in the Asian Games back in 1982 to the dire straits we find ourselves in today. The hotel and tourism industry was pushed to its mettle which put the leaders at the fore, leading their teams upwards and onwards.
Meena looks back to the pandemic last year calling it “unknown terrain.” “I was going to the hotel on a daily basis and we barely had 10-12 guests and limited staff (with the first phase of reopening last year). The Marriott group was very proactive, complying with government protocols and directives for training to service providers, health and safety standards. Credit also goes to the government and district management offices who made it easier for us to adapt to the COVID reality as quickly as possible.” Repatriation flights were another game- changer that had the hotel move into fourth gear, isolating guests as they arrive and serving them with COVID rules in place.
Adapting, as we humans do best, has been the name of the game and for a VP and GM like Meena, it meant not just taking care of her staff but ensuring the brand is well taken care of, too. Weddings on a smaller level – boutique, they say – banquets limited to 50-100 people; few of all dining options in operation with emphasis on distancing and safety of guests; staycations – the trend that has guests queueing up – or workcations, even kittycations! Yes, kitty party groups staying at the hotel, Meena gets us up to speed, while reiterating that all these existing situations are what the team has to constantly be taught first-hand and to accept as the new normal, here to stay.
“We see more and more families coming to stay at the hotel and gradually we are rolling back to functioning at a capacity of 90% now. Smaller, intimate affairs are what we’re seeing more of, and catering to, hence,” states Meena. “A new series called Friday Cravings is on the anvil, which will engage chefs from across the world sharing their cuisines with our guests virtually. Earlier, it was Friday Musings centred around art, music, culture, etc.” Food, of course, stays central to most cultural activities and forges memories in people’s minds when they travel.
Travel is but a dream right now, which Meena hasn’t undertaken in the longest time, save for a visit to her daughter, Ratna Khanduja, an NYC resident. Ratna has always been an independent individual and thankfully for her mum, she’s a good cook. “I am a disaster in the kitchen!” exclaims Meena, who was busy defying stereotypes back in the early '90s when a career, let alone hoteliering, was more a man’s pursuit.
“Hoteliering is not a glam profession by any means,” she emphasises, “and my family was not understanding back then. I was married to Pradeep Khanduja in 1993 (while fairly nascent at Le Meridien) and had no break from work. But I believe everything happens at the right time, with the right person by your side.” Pradeep has proved to be her person, standing by her as she followed her passions and fought against the tough tide as a woman in the hospitality industry.   
A formidable woman is Meena who started off in the industry post her graduation from Hindu College, Delhi with the Oberoi Grand, Calcutta. 1983-91 were formative years at Hyatt Regency, Delhi, from front office to sales manager. Since then, Le Meridien New Delhi has been home. Come 2021, she completed the High Potential Women Leaders Program from Stanford, USA, and has even achieved a General Manager certification from Cornell, USA (2004). All this while staying true to her responsibilities as part of the India Women’s Network, the Women’s India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the CII Tourism & Hospitality Committee.
“It’s important to me to work for women’s rights and promote skilled development like we did with NGOs through WICCI for people from humble backgrounds,” shares Meena with the message to everyone out there to be confident and treat yourself right, first and foremost. The rest will follow.  

Meena was busy defying stereotypes back in the early '90s when a career, let alone hoteliering, was more a man’s pursuit.

Meena Bhatia
VP & GM – Le Meridien New Delhi