Shafi Syed

Global Head of Hotel Development and Acquisitions

Equinox Hotels

Shafi Syed is the Global Head of Hotel Development and Acquisitions at Equinox Hotels, leading the brand’s international growth strategy from New York.

Equinox Hotels is the first luxury lifestyle hotel brand built around the high-performance living segment — a major category within the $800 billion wellness travel industry. Rooted in the ethos of the iconic Equinox fitness brand – built around movement, nutrition, regeneration and community - the hotel experience integrates longevity-focused spa and recovery programs, world-class culinary concepts, vibrant social spaces, and access to a flagship Equinox Club.

With over 30 years of global experience in luxury hospitality, branded real estate, and strategic development, Shafi has held senior leadership roles at Jumeirah Group, Caesars Entertainment, Wyndham Hotels, and Taj Hotels. He is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore, and holds an Advanced Certification in Real Estate & Hotel Investments from Cornell University. His international career spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S., bringing a global perspective to Equinox’s expansion.