Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced, via a statement published on LinkedIn, the return of Ajay Mistry to the Accor group’s luxury brand, where he will now take on the role of Vice President, Design & Technical Services. The brand said it was “delighted to welcome Ajay Mistry back”, citing his “extensive experience leading luxury hospitality projects across the globe for renowned brands” and “exceptional expertise in design leadership, project delivery, and creating world-class guest experiences”.
The appointment marks a return for the Canadian architect rather than a first encounter with the Accor ecosystem. Based in Canada, Ajay Mistry left the group in April 2024, after five years leading luxury design for the Americas region.
An eighteen-month spell at Montage International
Between April 2024 and September 2025, Ajay Mistry held the position of Senior Vice President, Architecture & Design at Montage International, in Irvine, California. There, he oversaw a cross-functional team responsible for design, construction, pre-opening and capital planning for the Montage and Pendry brands.
This role saw him take lead responsibility for developing Montage and Pendry projects in new international markets, with a strong focus on the Middle East. He also contributed to the reorganisation of the group’s internal teams and to a redesign of brand design guidelines aimed at aligning internal and external partners.
Five years leading Accor’s luxury design in the Americas
From March 2019 to April 2024, Ajay Mistry held the position of Executive Director, Design & Technical Services Luxury Americas at Accor, based in Toronto. In this role, he led the technical and architectural design of renovation and new-build projects for the group’s luxury brands across North and Central America.
His remit covered the development of Project Area Programs, Design Briefs and Property Improvement Plans, as well as oversight of forecast budgets for construction, furniture and equipment. He also supported owners and consultants throughout the design, construction and delivery phases, leading model room reviews and site inspections.
During this period, Ajay Mistry contributed to the opening of several properties in Accor’s North and Central American portfolio, including the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, which opened in September 2024, the MGallery Berkeley Park in Miami in April 2021, the SO/ Paseo del Prado in Havana in November 2019, and the Sofitel Reforma Mexico City, also opened in November 2019.
His return comes as Accor has recently strengthened the structure of its Design & Technical Services leadership at a global level, illustrated by the arrival of Tiago Luna as Global Design Director in February 2026.
A career built at Four Seasons and in North American architecture
Before joining Accor, Ajay Mistry had led the hospitality studio at CHIL Interior Design in Toronto, between September 2017 and March 2019, where he developed new renovation mandates for properties under the Delta, Sheraton and Hilton brands.
He had previously spent nearly ten years at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, first as Manager, Design & Construction from November 2006 to December 2012, then as Director, Design & Construction from January 2013 to June 2016. There, he led the opening of new properties in the Middle East, including the Four Seasons Hotel Beirut and the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, as well as the delivery of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World, then the group’s largest new-build project. His time at Four Seasons also saw him oversee branded hotel and residential projects in India, in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Goa.
A graduate of the University of Waterloo, where he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Studies followed by a Bachelor of Architecture, Ajay Mistry began his career at Quadrangle Architects in Toronto, as a Project Architect, between 1998 and 2006.
Additional strength for a growing Raffles portfolio
The appointment comes as Raffles Hotels & Resorts continues to develop its international portfolio, spanning new urban addresses and resorts. The brand recently confirmed, for example, the arrival of its first alpine resort in Courchevel 1850, set to open for the 2028 winter season.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Ajay Mistry returns to Raffles Hotels & Resorts as Vice President, Design & Technical Services
Previously Executive Director, Design & Technical Services Luxury Americas at Accor (2019-2024), based in Toronto
Most recently Senior Vice President, Architecture & Design at Montage International (2024-2025), overseeing the Montage and Pendry brands
Career includes nearly a decade at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, with openings in Beirut, Bahrain and Orlando
Holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo
Appointment announced by Raffles Hotels & Resorts via LinkedIn
