Strand Palace Hotel appoints cluster commercial director 

Strand Palace Hotel, under L&R Hotels, has appointed Pavan Soni as its new cluster commercial director.

Soni brings with him over 20 years of luxury and mid-scale brand experience within the hotel industry. He has worked for large chains and well-known groups across the globe including UAE, the US and the UK as general manager, group director of Sales and Marketing as well as head of Revenue. 

Strand Palace said he has a “proven track record” for achieving high multi-million revenues and “prides himself on his marketing skills to position hotels as the highest ranking in their areas”. 

As part of his new role, Soni will oversee all commercial aspects including Sales, Revenue, Marketing, PR, E-Commerce, Reservations, Content Management and social media.

Strand Palace, situated on the Strand in London, has been welcoming guests since 1909 and features 785 bedrooms. It underwent a major multi-million pound refurbishment in 2020, maintaining its art deco influence and features with a “stylish contemporary upgrade”.

Commenting on his new role, Soni said: “I look forward to working closely with a young and energetic Commercial team to make Strand Palace the best and most sought after 4* hotel in Central London by building on its successes. Having worked for large hotel chains for a long time it is refreshing and exciting for me to work for an independent hotel. 

“With the knowledge, experience and connections I have amassed over the years, plus the rich history and excellent location of the property, I plan to expand Strand Palace’s reach to new markets and countries that London hotels don’t traditionally market to.”