Hilton Santa Clara Welcomes Kunal Khandwala as Director of Sales & Marketing
The Californer/10320024

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Californer -- Hilton Santa Clara is proud to announce the appointment of Kunal Khandwala as its new Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than a decade of proven leadership in hospitality sales and marketing across Silicon Valley, Kunal brings a wealth of market knowledge, strategic insight, and innovative thinking to one of the Bay Area's premier hotels.

Kunal joins Hilton Santa Clara from his most recent role as Director of Sales & Marketing at Aloft Santa Clara, where he led the property's commercial team to significant growth across group and business travel segments. Under his leadership, the hotel increased market share by strengthening client relationships, executing targeted sales promotions, and leveraging data-driven insights to anticipate market shifts and capture new opportunities.

Prior to Aloft, Kunal served as Dual Director of Sales & Marketing for the Holiday Inn & Suites Silicon Valley-Milpitas and SpringHill Suites Milpitas, where he successfully launched both newly built properties. His efforts helped drive over 35% of hotel revenue through a combination of local and national accounts, leisure groups, sports markets, and event business.

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Kunal also brings a broader industry perspective through his role as Vice President of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Silicon Valley Chapter, where he has served since 2019. In this capacity, he has played an active role in strengthening industry partnerships, reimagining event strategies during the pandemic, and engaging corporate travel professionals across the region.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kunal to the Hilton Santa Clara team," said Farshad Mayelzadeh, General Manager of Hilton Santa Clara. "His depth of experience, collaborative mindset, and forward-thinking leadership align perfectly with our goals. As we look ahead to an exciting chapter that includes property enhancements, I'm confident that under his direction, our sales and marketing efforts will reach new heights and further elevate our reputation in the Silicon Valley market."

Kunal's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Hilton Santa Clara as the hotel builds on its legacy of service excellence and prepares to meet evolving guest and business needs with renewed innovation and energy.

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About Hilton Santa Clara
Located adjacent to Levi's Stadium and just steps from the Santa Clara Convention Center, Hilton Santa Clara offers sophisticated accommodations, over 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and unmatched service at the gateway to Silicon Valley. Guests can also enjoy locally inspired California cuisine at La Fontana, the hotel's on-site restaurant, making it an ideal destination for both business and leisure travelers