Roshan Sapkota views hospitality not simply as a profession but as a purposeful journey of creating emotions, memories, and meaningful human connections. Among the youngest leaders in the region, he has been instrumental in shaping the hotel’s success from its pre-opening phase, guiding it to exceptional occupancy milestones and multiple regional accolades, including South Asia’s Best New Hotel 2023/24. Under his leadership, Hotel Barahi Kathmandu has earned strong guest recognition, sustainability credentials, and a reputation for nurturing one of Nepal’s most dynamic hospitality teams, reflecting his belief that true success lies in purpose-driven service and collective excellence.
What inspired you to pursue a career in hospitality, and what continues to motivate you?
My inspiration came from the simple yet powerful idea of serving people and creating happiness through experiences. Early in my career, I realised that hospitality is one of the few industries where you become part of life’s most meaningful moments: celebrations, milestones, and moments of rest.
What continues to motivate me is growth, both of guests and team members. True leadership, in my view, is measured not only by numbers, but by the lives you uplift. Our team achieving 46 internal promotions, maintaining 98% training attendance, and reaching 92% staff satisfaction are among my proudest accomplishments. When team members grow into confident professionals, it strengthens the guest experience and fosters a culture of pride and ownership.
How do you see Hotel Barahi Kathmandu evolving within Nepal’s hospitality landscape?
Hotel Barahi Kathmandu is steadily positioning itself as a benchmark for premium, responsible, and experience-driven urban hospitality. Our ambition is not simply to compete, but to redefine expectations of city hotels in Nepal.
We are strengthening our presence in the premium MICE segment while simultaneously establishing ourselves as a culinary and experiential destination, reflected in our exceptional F&B performance and strong market reputation. Our long-term vision integrates sustainability, technology, and personalised guest engagement across all operational layers, ensuring we remain innovative, relevant, and globally competitive.
We aspire to be recognised not just as a hotel, but as a destination that reflects Nepal’s warmth, culture, and evolving luxury standards.
What have been the most significant challenges in managing a hotel in today’s hospitality landscape?
The hospitality industry is evolving rapidly. Guest expectations are shifting, digital transformation is redefining service delivery, and sustainability is no longer optional, it is a responsibility.
One of the key challenges is maintaining consistent service excellence while adapting to market shifts and operational pressures. We address this through strong internal systems, continuous learning, and rigorous food safety standards backed by robust HACCP practices. Above all, we have cultivated a culture where every team member feels accountable for guest satisfaction and not just for their designated role.
How do you motivate teams during high-pressure or peak seasons?
In peak seasons, leadership must transform pressure into inspiration. Preparation builds confidence. We prioritise structured training, simulation exercises, and transparent communication to ensure teams feel ready rather than overwhelmed.
Equally important is visibility and emotional connection. I remain accessible and actively engaged during demanding periods. Recognition, encouragement, and celebrating small wins sustain morale. Our consistent performance, strong training engagement, and high satisfaction scores are a testament to this approach.
What’s one thing about running a hotel that would surprise most people? And what part of your role brings you the most satisfaction?
What often surprises people is that a hotel’s success is rarely about infrastructure or luxury amenities alone. It is about emotional intelligence, teamwork, and the countless unseen efforts that create seamless experiences.
The most fulfilling aspect of my role is transformation; turning challenges into achievements, teams into leaders, and guest stays into lasting memories. Watching Hotel Barahi Kathmandu evolve into an award-winning, guest-loved property within such a short span has been both deeply satisfying and profoundly humbling.
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