Atmosphere Core has announced the appointment of Vanita Gomez as General Manager of STILLWOOD RETREAT, a Signature Atmosphere Coorg ahead of the launch of the company’s second property in India.
The appointment marks a strategic step in strengthening Atmosphere Core’s leadership team as the hospitality group continues to expand its footprint within India’s growing premium leisure, wellness, and experiential travel market.
Bringing more than 18 years of hospitality industry experience, Gomez has worked across premium international hotel brands and destination resorts throughout India. Her expertise spans hotel operations, sales and marketing leadership, revenue management, MICE business, destination weddings, and experiential guest engagement.
Industry observers note that the appointment comes at a time when India’s luxury leisure travel sector is witnessing robust growth, driven by rising demand for wellness retreats, immersive regional experiences, nature-based stays, and high-end destination weddings.
Leadership Focused on Experiential Hospitality
According to the company, Gomez has built a strong track record in driving revenue growth, enhancing guest satisfaction, leading high-performance teams, and developing hospitality experiences tailored to evolving traveller expectations.
Speaking about her appointment, Gomez highlighted the property’s vision of offering guests a deeply immersive and restorative hospitality experience inspired by the culture and natural beauty of Coorg.
“Stillwood Retreat is envisioned as a sanctuary where guests can truly disconnect from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with nature, culture, and themselves. I am honoured to lead the team for this property, positioning it as a distinctive getaway experience rooted in the rich essence of Kodava culture, while staying true to the ‘Joy of Giving’ philosophy that defines Atmosphere Core,” she said.
Christopher Baker, Vice President Operations – Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, said Gomez’s operational expertise and commercial understanding made her well suited to lead the upcoming retreat during a crucial stage of its development.
“We are pleased to welcome Vanita Gomez to Stillwood Retreat at a pivotal stage of its journey. Vanita’s extensive operational expertise, commercial understanding, and success in MICE segment, make her an excellent fit for this role. We are confident that under her leadership, the retreat will deliver exceptional guest experiences while strengthening its positioning in the leisure segment,” Baker stated.
Premium Retreat to Strengthen Coorg’s Luxury Hospitality Market
Located in the scenic hills of Coorg, approximately 275 kilometres from Bengaluru and around 150 kilometres from Mysuru Airport, STILLWOOD RETREAT will operate under the Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts portfolio.
The upcoming retreat is expected to cater to the increasing demand for luxury experiential stays in South India’s hill destinations, particularly among affluent domestic travellers, wellness seekers, corporate retreat groups, and destination wedding markets.
According to the company, the property will feature 56 luxury villas equipped with private decks and outdoor hot tubs, designed to offer privacy and immersive nature-based experiences. The retreat will also include curated dining concepts, a wine lounge, themed bar, library spaces, and wellness therapies at the signature ELE|NA Ayur Spa.
Hospitality analysts point out that wellness tourism and experiential luxury travel continue to emerge as key growth drivers in India’s tourism sector, with travellers increasingly seeking personalised, culturally rooted, and wellness-focused hospitality experiences.
In addition to leisure offerings, the property will also target the growing MICE and destination celebration segments through dedicated event venues and flexible spaces designed for corporate retreats, intimate weddings, and curated social events.
Expanding Presence in India’s Leisure Hospitality Segment
Atmosphere Core, known for its luxury resort portfolio across South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, has been steadily expanding its presence in India as part of its broader regional growth strategy.
The launch of STILLWOOD RETREAT reflects the company’s focus on high-potential leisure destinations where experiential travel, wellness tourism, and premium hospitality continue to gain momentum.
Industry experts believe the retreat’s positioning around local culture, luxury wellness, and immersive nature experiences aligns strongly with changing traveller preferences in the post-pandemic hospitality landscape.
By integrating Kodava cultural influences with contemporary luxury hospitality standards, the resort aims to offer guests an authentic yet refined escape experience in one of South India’s most sought-after hill destinations.
