7 FEBRUARY 2024
Focused on building community, immersive experiences, and an inclusive space for guests who prioritise play, Moxy Hotels is set to redefine the contemporary Indian hospitality landscape. Khushnooma Kapadia, Vice President of Marketing – South Asia for Marriott International tells dirty of her vision in bringing style and self-expression to the hotel experience.

<h1 class="left">In the saxophone-filled silences of hotel elevators, dining-room dress codes, and busy lobbies of business speak, the traditional hospitality experience is often imagined straightforwardly– delivering routine and formality. At Moxy Hotels, this pattern is disrupted by an approach designed for guests of disparate sensibilities seeking community and style. Imagine lobby spaces brimming with stories of travellers exchanging secret codes to a speakeasy. Tech-enabled rooms built to be intuitive for a generation raised in a DIY world. A lip-sync battle erupting in the lounge and a library to recall your literary prowess. With its range of alternative offerings, Moxy is a redefinition of what hospitality can be.</h1>

<h1 class="right">Forming part of Marriott International, Moxy first set up shop in Milan in 2014, and since then, it has been synonymous with being both rebellious and refined. In its expansion to India, Moxy seeks to bring the same charm and ease it has come to be known for, to guests in the country. Khushnooma Kapadia, Vice President of Marketing – South Asia for Marriott International Inc., believes that the brand, with its range of collaborations and communal spaces, will “create a cultural epicentre where the spirit of the city meets the pulse of global travel.” In her 20-year tenure with the company, Khushnooma has spearheaded the launch of new properties within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and is currently overseeing hotels across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Focused on business excellence across marketing verticals that drive the organisation's positioning, her endeavour to bring Moxy Hotels to India reflect the very audaciousness that has propelled her career forward.</h1>

<h1 class="right">When asked about the relevance of Moxy Hotels to the contemporary Indian hospitality landscape from the point of view of evolving guest behaviours, Khushnooma is confident that Moxy offers a fresh outlook of great value to a forward-thinking generation. “Moxy's competitive advantage comes from its focus on providing socially connected and immersive experiences that will be interactive, energising and create conversations.” Her two-decade-long experience in hospitality has made it apparent to her that this is an exciting time for the industry. She notes how, over the last few years, a paradigm shift has been witnessed wherein guests are prioritising experiences over acquisitions, with a heightened appreciation for transformational experiences. “Travellers are now booking with us for shortened incubation periods and shorter trips and have more of a 'book now' mentality rather than waiting for the right moment to travel. Increasingly, people are looking to experience something new, see something they have never seen before, and feel like they are a part of something truly special when they travel.”</h1>

<h1 class="left">Having launched 16 brands in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in the country before Moxy, Khushnooma's penchant for challenging boundaries and defying traditional tenets are key pillars on which Moxy Hotels stands. In every way, Moxy is an upheaval and an exercise in dismantling established norms. “Blending affordability, style, and a dynamic social experience is new to this market, and I'm excited to see how it relates to individuals constantly seeking sublimity.”</h1>

<h1 class="left">The brand is designed for, and centres the desires of those who value spontaneity and vibrant social connections in their travels. “Moxy provides a space for people drawn to experiences that ignite their curiosity, whether young professionals, urban explorers, or seasoned travellers,” says Khushnooma. All work and no play make Jack (or the hotel guest, for that matter) dull and Moxy strives to be anything but. With pop-coloured interiors and bright open spaces built for interaction, the hotel serves as a playground for adults in sincere pursuit of 'fun', often missing from the solemnity of hotel spaces.</h1>

<h1 class="centre">Against this backdrop, the brand has long championed inclusivity and the need for building a safe, creative environment, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. In a country like India, where queer communities have historically lacked the comfort of a space where they can be their most fundamental selves, Moxy has committed to actively providing a platform for self-expression. Set to become the city's nucleus for hosting drag performances, pride celebrations, and fundraisers for LGBTQ+ organisations, Moxy remains committed to transforming the hotel experience in India for queer persons. “As an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, it is our longstanding commitment to ensure every person is valued and welcomed whenever they enter the doors of its hotels. We have consistently strived to create an environment with our associates and guests where there is no feeling of disassociation,” adds Khushnooma.</h1>

<h1 class="right">With the opening of Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud, the boutique hotel chain has cemented itself in India, with Mumbai set to be the next chapter in its expansion. Taking forward the vision at Marriott to ensure that within the portfolio of hotels, there is 'something' for everybody, Khushnooma Kapadia looks forward to catering to the unique needs of progressive travellers through Moxy Hotels.</h1>

<h1 class="full">In the saxophone-filled silences of hotel elevators, dining-room dress codes, and busy lobbies of business speak, the traditional hospitality experience is often imagined straightforwardly– delivering routine and formality. At Moxy Hotels, this pattern is disrupted by an approach designed for guests of disparate sensibilities seeking community and style. Imagine lobby spaces brimming with stories of travellers exchanging secret codes to a speakeasy. Tech-enabled rooms built to be intuitive for a generation raised in a DIY world. A lip-sync battle erupting in the lounge and a library to recall your literary prowess. With its range of alternative offerings, Moxy is a redefinition of what hospitality can be.</h1>

<h1 class="full">Forming part of Marriott International, Moxy first set up shop in Milan in 2014, and since then, it has been synonymous with being both rebellious and refined. In its expansion to India, Moxy seeks to bring the same charm and ease it has come to be known for, to guests in the country. Khushnooma Kapadia, Vice President of Marketing – South Asia for Marriott International Inc., believes that the brand, with its range of collaborations and communal spaces, will “create a cultural epicentre where the spirit of the city meets the pulse of global travel.” In her 20-year tenure with the company, Khushnooma has spearheaded the launch of new properties within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and is currently overseeing hotels across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Focused on business excellence across marketing verticals that drive the organisation's positioning, her endeavour to bring Moxy Hotels to India reflect the very audaciousness that has propelled her career forward.</h1>

<h1 class="full">When asked about the relevance of Moxy Hotels to the contemporary Indian hospitality landscape from the point of view of evolving guest behaviours, Khushnooma is confident that Moxy offers a fresh outlook of great value to a forward-thinking generation. “Moxy's competitive advantage comes from its focus on providing socially connected and immersive experiences that will be interactive, energising and create conversations.” Her two-decade-long experience in hospitality has made it apparent to her that this is an exciting time for the industry. She notes how, over the last few years, a paradigm shift has been witnessed wherein guests are prioritising experiences over acquisitions, with a heightened appreciation for transformational experiences. “Travellers are now booking with us for shortened incubation periods and shorter trips and have more of a 'book now' mentality rather than waiting for the right moment to travel. Increasingly, people are looking to experience something new, see something they have never seen before, and feel like they are a part of something truly special when they travel.”</h1>

<h1 class="full">Having launched 16 brands in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in the country before Moxy, Khushnooma's penchant for challenging boundaries and defying traditional tenets are key pillars on which Moxy Hotels stands. In every way, Moxy is an upheaval and an exercise in dismantling established norms. “Blending affordability, style, and a dynamic social experience is new to this market, and I'm excited to see how it relates to individuals constantly seeking sublimity.”</h1>

<h1 class="full">The brand is designed for, and centres the desires of those who value spontaneity and vibrant social connections in their travels. “Moxy provides a space for people drawn to experiences that ignite their curiosity, whether young professionals, urban explorers, or seasoned travellers,” says Khushnooma. All work and no play make Jack (or the hotel guest, for that matter) dull and Moxy strives to be anything but. With pop-coloured interiors and bright open spaces built for interaction, the hotel serves as a playground for adults in sincere pursuit of 'fun', often missing from the solemnity of hotel spaces.</h1>

<h1 class="full">Against this backdrop, the brand has long championed inclusivity and the need for building a safe, creative environment, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. In a country like India, where queer communities have historically lacked the comfort of a space where they can be their most fundamental selves, Moxy has committed to actively providing a platform for self-expression. Set to become the city's nucleus for hosting drag performances, pride celebrations, and fundraisers for LGBTQ+ organisations, Moxy remains committed to transforming the hotel experience in India for queer persons. “As an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, it is our longstanding commitment to ensure every person is valued and welcomed whenever they enter the doors of its hotels. We have consistently strived to create an environment with our associates and guests where there is no feeling of disassociation,” adds Khushnooma.</h1>

<h1 class="full">With the opening of Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud, the boutique hotel chain has cemented itself in India, with Mumbai set to be the next chapter in its expansion. Taking forward the vision at Marriott to ensure that within the portfolio of hotels, there is 'something' for everybody, Khushnooma Kapadia looks forward to catering to the unique needs of progressive travellers through Moxy Hotels.</h1>