(Jun 4, 2026) From the classrooms of the Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland to internships at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona, Shlokk Rastogi has laid the foundations for a career in luxury hospitality. He has been applying his international experience in his role as a Guest Service Associate at Pullman-Novotel, Aerocity, New Delhi.
For Shlokk Rastogi, hospitality has never been just about serving guests. It has been about embracing new cultures, adapting to unfamiliar environments, and constantly refining the art of creating memorable experiences. Born and raised in New Delhi, Shlokk chose to step beyond familiar surroundings and pursue an international path that would eventually take him from the picturesque hills of Switzerland to some of America’s renowned luxury hotels.
A dream that took him to Switzerland
Shlokk’s international journey began in 2022 when he moved to Switzerland to pursue a Master’s in Hospitality at the Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) in Caux.
His objective was to gain global exposure and understand hospitality from an international perspective. “I wanted to develop a broader understanding of hospitality management and learn from one of the leading institutions in the field,” he says.
Studying in Switzerland exposed him to world-class standards and gave him an opportunity to interact with students and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. One of the milestones he cherishes from this period was leading beverage operations during a TEDx event organized by his batch.
The experience strengthened his confidence and offered a glimpse into the leadership roles he hopes to occupy in the future.
Learning luxury hospitality in the United States
After completing his studies, Shlokk headed to the United States, where he began a one-year internship at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Working in one of the world’s most respected luxury hospitality brands allowed him to sharpen his guest service and operational skills. The experience was followed by another year-long internship at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona.
Across both assignments, he worked with guests from different parts of the world and experienced the demanding standards associated with luxury hospitality. “In total, I have spent more than two years working abroad in luxury hospitality environments. These experiences significantly contributed to my professional growth,” he says.
Along the way, he also earned the distinction of becoming a Certified Whisky Ambassador and had the opportunity to work in Michelin-star and celebrity chef restaurants. These experiences further deepened his understanding of food and beverage operations.
Adapting to new cultures and challenges
Moving from India to Switzerland and later to the United States was exciting, but it also came with challenges. Adapting to different workplace cultures, service expectations and ways of communication required flexibility and patience. In fast-paced hospitality settings, maintaining high standards while handling demanding guests and unexpected situations became part of everyday life. “Challenges are opportunities for growth, and each experience has made me a more capable hospitality professional,” he reflects.
These experiences taught him resilience, problem-solving and the importance of effective communication. More importantly, they made him comfortable working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Becoming more global while staying rooted
Living abroad changed Shlokk’s perspective not only on work but also on life. Exposure to different cultures made him more independent and open-minded. Being away from family taught him self-reliance and strengthened his ability to deal with unfamiliar situations.
At the same time, the experience deepened his appreciation for his Indian roots. “It has given me a greater appreciation for different cultures while strengthening my pride in my Indian roots and hospitality values,” he says. He also learned to value punctuality, teamwork and personalized service. These qualities that have become central to his professional philosophy.
Returning home with international experience
Today, Shlokk is applying the lessons learned abroad in his role at Pullman-Novotel, Aerocity in New Delhi. His long-term aspiration is to become a Restaurant Manager in a luxury five-star hotel and eventually establish himself as a respected leader in hospitality.
“I want to lead high-performing teams, maintain the highest service standards and contribute to the success and reputation of a luxury hospitality brand,” he says.
Looking back on his journey so far, Shlokk believes that guest satisfaction lies at the heart of hospitality. He has also discovered the importance of teamwork, continuous learning and maintaining composure under pressure. Personally, the journey has taught him patience, confidence and balance. Outside work, he enjoys curating drinks, travelling and binge-watching shows, ensuring that he makes time for interests beyond his professional commitments.
From New Delhi to Switzerland and luxury hotels across the United States before bringing his global experience back to India, Shlokk Rastogi has come to see hospitality as an art of understanding people and creating memorable experiences.