Our MGLuxM batch went on an industry visit to the legendary The St. Regis (Mumbai), renowned for its hallmark luxury offerings in the hospitality sector. The St. Regis is part of Marriott International’s portfolio of luxury brands and is described as "Elegant luxury, tailored elegance, and an endless pursuit of perfection. It combines tradition and modernity in its interpretation of luxury."
Our tour began with a comprehensive overview of the hotel, followed by an insightful session with the Head of Management, who shed light on the hotel's operations. This session helped us understand the entire process by which a luxury hotel operates as an ecosystem, with major verticals such as finance, sales, marketing, HR, and operations integral to it. We were fortunate to gain insight from the top on how people, finance, and planning come together to ensure excellence at a luxury brand worldwide.
From the moment we stepped onto the property, the ambience said it all. The grand but subtle interior decor, spacious settings, artfully selected artwork, and carefully designed details all reflected a sense of utter poise and modern luxury. Instead of lavishness, The St. Regis experience was all about balance and design, and it made the ambience there feel like a sense of indulgence and serenity.
One of the major takeaways of the visit has been the presentation on how The St. Regis maintains brand consistency globally while remaining homeland-centric. Ranging from country-specific menus to service methodologies that are homeland-centric yet highly adaptable globally, The St. Regis has been a great example of how global brands maintain their identity without compromising on their personal identity. The lessons of leadership and management of global brands were greatly beneficial to us.
This experience was further compounded by an exciting lunch at Sette Mara, considered the flagship restaurant of The St. Regis. The well-thought-out menu, ornate plating, and service made this dining experience truly sensory. Every element, from each culinary creation to its well-crafted blend of global influences, to its warm hospitality, further emphasised that this experience truly lived by its philosophy of luxury that is both elegant, immersive, and experiential.
Equally appealing, there was a discussion of the changing definition of luxury. The St. Regis approach now emphasises that modern luxury is about experiences, stories, privacy, and personalisation. Each interaction with the guest is ingeniously designed to craft memorable moments, reinforcing its brand promise of being "the best address."
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to The St. Regis, Mumbai team for their kind hospitality and for sharing behind-the-scenes insights into their property. Their ability to engage with us, share complex operational nuances in detail, and offer practical perspectives made this visit enriching and beguilingly inspiring.
This visit was invaluable to us as students of luxury brand management. It furthered our understanding of how legacy brands remain relevant in an ever-evolving luxury landscape by embracing innovation, human-centric service, and strategic leadership. We are deeply grateful to SP Jain Global and The St. Regis Mumbai for curating an experience that beautifully bridged theory with the lived reality of global luxury hospitality.
Penned by Vaishnavi Gupta, a luxury enthusiast and current student of the Global Luxury Goods & Services Management (MGLuxM) program at SP Jain Global.
Recommended Reads:
Luxury beyond borders: Global shifts that will define 2026’s most valuable brands
Breaking into the Luxury Industry: Career Paths You Didn’t Know Existed
My Transformational Journey at SP Jain Global: From A Student to A Luxury Brand Professional