Insider Stories

Fusion Hotel Group has announced several key appointments in Vietnam as the wellness-inspired luxury brand continues to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian region. Taking over as Cluster General Manager at HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong and HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong New City in the outskirts of Saigon, Mr. Bui Duc Khiem has a Bachelor of Materials Science from the University of Natural Sciences Ho Chi Minh City and was a graduate in Information Technology at the University of Transport and Communication HCMC. Prior to joining the HIIVE brand, which is considered Fusion’s branch to the discerning business traveller, Mr. Khiem was the pre-opening Hotel Manager for a four-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and has more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality sector. Fusion Group has also announced the appointment of Mr. Tran Huu Thanh, popularly known as Colin, as the new General Manager of Fusion Suites Vung Tau, effective August 5, 2024. Commanding spectacular vistas across a peninsula on the coastline south of Saigon, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, which opened in 2020, is a 19-storey property featuring 171 well-appointed suites and apartments, a multitude of dining options, a 12-treatment room maritime-inspired spa, a yoga studio, and a rooftop infinity pool. Colin moves up from Executive Assistant Manager at Fusion Suites Vung Tau to the GM role. He previously worked for a five-star hotel in Saigon and a casino resort in Macau before joining the Fusion team. Ms. Van Vu takes the role at the newly opened Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. Fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, Vietnamese-Costa Rican dual citizen Ms. Van brings 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, operations, and revenue management, including 12 years at her previous post as a resort manager in Phu Quoc Island. A fourth appointment is Mr Cang Lam, who now becomes Cluster Resort Manager at Maia Resort Quy Nhon and its newly opened next-door neighbour The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon. Cang had previously been Executive Assistant Manager at Maia during the pre-opening and opening periods from February 2020. A native of Ho Chi Minh City, Cang started out as a Room Attendant at a 5-star hotel in Saigon in 2009, quickly working his way up the managerial ladder with experiences across the length of Vietnam, as well as spells in Macau and the Maldives. Mr. David Roberts, COO of Fusion Hotel Group, emphasised that these appointments align with the company’s core values of nurturing and empowering local talents. “The dynamic Vietnamese managers appointed at our hotels and resorts will inspire team spirit and contribute to enhancing Fusion’s reputation as one of the region’s leading wellness-driven brands,” he said. Blending an innovative ‘all-spa inclusive’ approach to wellness vacationing with their signature ‘breakfast anywhere, anytime’ concept, Fusion has won several prestigious awards recently – including accolades for its spas and wellness facilities, as well as sustainable practices.

Kaul will be leading three diverse hotel & resorts in this newly appointed role at Marriott International

Leading global hospitality group Minor Hotels has named industry veteran Omar Romero as its Chief Development and Luxury Officer, a newly-created position, as the group continues its rapid global expansion. In his new role, Romero will drive the global development strategy of Minor Hotels, identifying new business opportunities, overseeing the planning and execution of projects, and managing relationships with key stakeholders. He will also play a pivotal part in shaping and supporting the curation of Minor Hotels’ luxury brands, ensuring the delivery of exceptional experiences in every project. Based in Bangkok, Romero will report to Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, and work closely with Minor Hotels’ senior leadership team. Romero brings over two decades of experience to Minor Hotels. He most recently served as Chief Development Officer at Six Senses, leading the global development team for over half his tenure. During his career, Romero spearheaded the signing of more than 50 Hotel Management Agreements and multiple branded residence projects. His extensive global expertise will drive Minor Hotels’ expansion and strengthen its prestigious footprint worldwide. Rajakarier commented on the appointment saying, “At Minor Hotels, creating iconic destinations is at the heart of our success, especially for our experiential luxury brand, Anantara. Omar’s extensive experience in identifying exceptional locations and his dedication to building lasting partnerships make him the perfect leader to drive our global development ambitions. We are confident that with his expertise, Minor Hotels will continue expanding its footprint and creating inspiring, memorable experiences for our guests around the world.” Romero added, “I’m thrilled to be joining Minor Hotels, an organisation that delivers exceptional value to owners, guests, investors and our team. I’m particularly excited about the potential to grow our branded residential offerings alongside our hotel and resort portfolio, a space where I’ve seen incredible opportunities for value creation. I look forward to working with the team to develop iconic destinations and build strong partnerships that will shape the future of our brands.” Romero holds a degree from the renowned Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne and Les Roches Hotel Management School, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion to his work. A true globetrotter, he thrives on finding exciting development opportunities across the globe and delivering exceptional guest experiences in every completed project. Romero’s appointment as Minor Hotels’ Chief Development and Luxury Officer follows a string of senior hires as the hospitality group ramps up its expansion. In recent months, Puneet Dhawan joined Minor Hotels in Bangkok as Head of Asia, and the group announced the appointment of Gonzalo Aguilar to replace current Europe & Americas CEO Ramón Aragonés following his retirement in January 2025. Dhawan and Aguilar bring a wealth of experience from major hospitality players to spearhead the group’s growth in their respective regions.  

CMO Asia has recognized Soumitra Kundu, Deputy General Manager at The Orchid Hotel, Pune, with the prestigious title of Pune’s Best General Managers, Hospitality. With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality sector, Soumitra Kundu has established himself as a leading force in driving operational excellence and elevating service standards. Under his forward-thinking leadership, The Orchid Hotel, Pune has undergone significant transformation, particularly in its Food & Beverage (F&B) operations, where eco-friendly innovations and advanced technologies have been seamlessly integrated. His comprehensive approach to staff training programs has further enhanced guest satisfaction, aligning with the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and service excellence. Soumitra Kundu’s expertise extends across hotel budgeting, forecasting, and staff performance development, ensuring that The Orchid Hotel, Pune continues to strengthen its position as a premier hospitality destination. His deep understanding of industry regulations and unwavering integrity has played a pivotal role in maintaining impeccable safety measures for both guests and staff, creating a secure and comfortable environment. As he accepts this acknowledgement , Soumitra remains dedicated to The Orchid Hotel’s mission of delivering outstanding guest experiences, fostering operational efficiency, and championing sustainable practices. His leadership continues to inspire innovation and growth, ensuring the hotel's legacy as a leader in Pune’s hospitality landscape.

Mandarin Oriental has announced the appointment of Amanda Hyndman to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 November 2024, following the retirement of Christoph Mares. At this time, she will also continue in her current role as Chief People & Culture Officer. Amanda Hyndman's career spans over 30 years in the luxury hotel industry and she has been with the Group for 18 years. In that time, she has held several senior management roles in Mandarin Oriental hotels in the UK, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Washington DC as well as Area Vice President roles overseeing hotels in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland and thereafter Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China. Her impressive contribution to the success of the Group led to her appointment as Group Director of Quality & Rooms in 2020 and her subsequent appointment in May 2023 as Chief People & Culture Officer with a task of driving the Group's evolution from HR to People & Culture. Under the leadership of Mandarin Oriental's Group Chief Executive Laurent Kleitman, the Group has recently unveiled a global growth strategy that is focused on elevating its luxury credentials, accelerating the pace of global expansion, and innovating with brand-led, guest centric experiences delivered through an enhanced operating framework that uses digital platforms and enhanced technology to facilitate greater operating efficiency.

Arch Amenities Group, a full-service, global provider of wellness, amenity management and meeting services for commercial and residential properties, hotels, private clubs and pools, today announced the appointment of wellness and hospitality veteran Caitlin McKenna as chief executive officer. BarryGoldstein, who served Arch as CEO for the past three years, has been appointed to the new position of chief commercial officer, responsible for business development and customer relationship management. “Caitlin McKenna is a dynamic and respected leader known for her human-centric leadership, passion for service and innovation-driven growth,” said Steven Rudnitsky, Arch chairman. “Her mission is to accelerate Arch’s progress toward becoming the preeminent provider in the evolving service landscape.” McKenna most recently was chief development officer for Trilogy Spa Holdings of Phoenix and global head of facilities management, wellness & experience services for JLL, a commercial real estate firm based in Chicago. She led JLL’s new global product function and developed strategy for a multibillion-dollar business offering experience services, design, wellness and facilities management to Fortune 500 clients. From 2012 to 2019, McKenna served in a variety of leadership positions for Hilton Worldwide in McLean, Virginia, with a focus on brand management, investment and product development. Most recently, she was senior director of customer experience & innovation, where she led the development and operation of Hilton’s Innovation Gallery, a multimillion-dollar immersive showcase for media, executives and industry leaders. Earlier in her career, she held roles in real estate and hospitality consulting for HVS International. McKenna earned her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York, and continued her studies through Stanford University in California and Gallaudet University in Washington. She has lectured at Cornell University, Georgetown University in Washington and the University of Houston in Texas.

Chalet Hotels Limited (CHL) announced the appointment of Shwetank Singh as Executive Director, inducting Shwetank into the Board of the Company. The appointment is pursuant to recommendation of the Compensation, Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Company and effective immediately for a period of three years, subject to approval by Shareholders of the Company. In his enhanced role, Shwetank will continue to lead functions of projects, design and business development and will also spearhead the teams of operations and asset management. In addition, Shwetank will also oversee CHL’s Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director & CEO, Chalet Hotels Limited, said: “In line with our endeavour to groom and grow our internal talent, Shwetank has been inducted into the board of Chalet Hotels Limited and given additional responsibilities of operations and our ESG initiatives. We look forward to his continued contribution to the growth of the Company.” An alumnus of Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) with an MBA in Finance and Marketing, Shwetank has held key leadership positions at some of the best globally recognized organizations.

25hours Hotels is excited to announce the appointment of Jesper Soerensen as General Manager of 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird that is set to open in Jakarta, Indonesia next month. With over 23 years of experience in lifestyle and luxury hospitality, Jesper brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective to this vibrant new addition in Jakarta’s landscape. Of Danish nationality, Jesper’s extensive career spans locations from Nicaragua to London, Doha, Miami, Los Angeles, Singapore, and the Maldives. His journey in hospitality began in the early 1990s in fashion and beauty before he transitioned to iconic hotels like Ian Schrager’s Sanderson and St. Martin’s Lane in London, Shore Club in Miami, followed by Six Senses Singapore, The Standard Maldives and SO/Maldives. Jesper speaks German, Danish and English. “My journey has brought me to Jakarta where I am truly thrilled and excited to lead and open the amazing 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird and bringing the true experience of 25hours Hotels. I believe our spaces are unique but genuine in approach with strong focus on experience. We aspire to be the home away from home whether it be for business or leisure. We will also focus on collaborations, wellness and community-based activity. Finally, consistent with our values, we welcome all Oddbirds, those who celebrate their true individuality, to connect with like-minded individuals,” said Jesper Soerensen – General Manager.

VERANÓ Hotels + Resorts proudly announces the appointment of Pierre-Alex Maillard as Area General Manager. Pierre-Alex will lead the team at VERANÓ San Juan, which is the first of three new luxury lifestyle hotels slated for Puerto Rico by VERANÓ. With a rich heritage in luxury and lifestyle hotels in some of the world’s most celebrated destinations, including St Barths, The Hamptons, and Miami, Pierre-Alex brings twenty years of leadership in delivering exceptional guest experiences and driving operational success. His most recent role as general manager of Hyde Midtown Miami, where he guided the hotel to its No. 1 ranking on TripAdvisor, is part of his repertoire to lead the opening of VERANÓ San Juan. Pierre-Alex brings a deep familiarity with Puerto Rico’s luxury hospitality landscape, having previously held the role of General Manager at Serafina Beach Hotel, now Condado Beach Hotel, where he played a pivotal role in the successful launch of the property. His leadership helped position the hotel as a standout destination in San Juan. “The high-caliber hotelier that Pierre-Alex brings to VERANÓ is incredibly beneficial to us, the entire hotel team, and importantly – our guests,” said VERANÓ Hotels + Resorts managing director, John Sears. “His talent for luxury hospitality and his commitment to delivering elevated experiences for guests will be instrumental as we introduce VERANÓ San Juan to the world. We’re confident that his leadership will add to the new standard for hospitality in Puerto Rico.” VERANÓ San Juan features design-forward social venues complimented with luxurious guest rooms, including signature Ó suites, which showcase contemporary elegance and comfort. Guests will enjoy a variety of high-end amenities tailored for modern business travelers, including City House rooftop restaurant, offering panoramic views of San Juan’s skyline, a sunset bar overlooking the Miramar district, and an exclusive private club membership that provides curated events and unique community experiences through each of VERANÓ’s hotel locations. As Area General Manager, Pierre-Alex will oversee all aspects of the hotel’s operations, ensuring the property’s seamless opening and day-to-day management while delivering on VERANÓ’s mission of gracious living. His role will be pivotal in establishing VERANÓ San Juan as a premier destination for both travelers and locals alike. Being an enthusiast of the world’s finest dining experiences, Pierre-Alex looks forward to the team delivering new elements of exceptional restaurant experiences and culture to the vibrant gastronomy offerings in San Juan. “I’m honored to join VERANÓ Hotels + Resorts and lead the opening of VERANÓ San Juan,” said Pierre-Alex. “This project is incredibly special, not just for the brand but for the future of luxury hospitality in Puerto Rico. I look forward to welcoming guests to a hotel that blends timeless elegance and contemporary luxury with the vibrant energy of San Juan.” VERANÓ Hotels + Resorts is committed to developing world-class hospitality destinations that offer elevated guest experiences and create lasting memories. Each VERANÓ property is distinguished by its dedication to gracious living, combining impeccable service, exceptional culinary offerings, curated entertainment, and a refined yet inviting atmosphere. VERANÓ San Juan will embody these values, soon to be joined by the forthcoming VERANÓ Caimito in a serene rainforest setting and VERANÓ Cabo Rojo on a tranquil stretch of coveted beachfront, each designed to deliver their own distinctive, unforgettable experiences while maintaining the brand’s signature level of excellence.

Fairmont Jaipur has appointed Gagan Katyal as the new Director of Sales. Before joining Fairmont Jaipur, Gagan held several leadership roles with prestigious brands, including Ananta Hotels & Resorts, ITC Rajputana Jaipur, and Marriott International, during his two decades in the hospitality industry. Gagan holds dual Masters in Business Administration and Commerce, providing him with a strong foundation in both sales management and market strategy. His expertise spans sales strategy, revenue management, and business development, making him a highly respected leader in the industry. Notably, Gagan has managed luxury hospitality properties across India and successfully contributed to pre-opening projects, revenue enhancement, and the development of intellectual property (IP) in the tourism sector. At Fairmont Jaipur, Gagan will oversee the sales department, driving both inbound and outbound sales strategies to further strengthen the hotel’s position as a leading luxury destination. He will also play a pivotal role in fostering client relationships, elevating Fairmont Jaipur as a preferred venue for weddings, conferences, and high-profile events. Commenting on his appointment, Gagan Katyal, said, “I am thrilled to join Fairmont Jaipur and contribute to its legacy of providing extraordinary hospitality experiences. I look forward to working with the talented team at Fairmont and building on the hotel’s success in the luxury market.” Rajat Sethi, General Manager of Fairmont Jaipur, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Gagan to the Fairmont Jaipur family. His remarkable experience and innovative approach to sales will undoubtedly bring fresh energy to the team. We are confident that under his leadership, Fairmont Jaipur will continue to achieve new heights in luxury hospitality and enhance its reputation as a premier destination for our discerning guests.”

JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu has announced Monal Prabhu as the newly appointed Director of Sales & Marketing. With a career spanning over 14 years, Prabhu brings a fresh and experienced perspective to the team, further strengthening the hotel’s commitment to excellence in hospitality and brand leadership. With a well-rounded experience across sales, business analytics, event management and marketing, Prabhu has elevated through different leadership roles in various segments of the hospitality industry. She has had a successful tenure with hotel chains like Oberoi and Accor. Having started her journey with sales in 2011 at The Oberoi, Mumbai as a Banquet Sales Associate, to drive the Catering Sales Team at Sofitel Mumbai BKC for six years, she has navigated through the landscape of the hospitality industry. Prabhu joined the Marriott International family at The St. Regis Mumbai in 2020 as Associate Director of Catering Sales, where she led the team to exceed budgets exponentially and strategically. She was then appointed the Director of Sales, driving the hotel to achieve a positive market share. Her expertise in orchestrating corporate events, group gatherings, and weddings is complemented by her analytical approach to sales and marketing. In her appointment as the new Director of Sales & Marketing at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, she will be responsible for ensuring the hotel’s distinguished reputation is further solidified and expanded. She will lead initiatives to enhance brand awareness, guest engagement, and market reach, along with, driving revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities, nurturing client relationships, and implementing effective sales strategies that align with the hotel's goals.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the luxury heritage hotel in Cambodia’s capital, will welcome French Chef Charles Coulombeau for a series of exclusive meals in November at its award-winning Khmer fine-dining venue Restaurant Le Royal. Chef Charles is the chef-owner of the 1-Michelin-star La Maison dans le Parc in Nancy in northeastern France. The MICHELIN Guide describes Chef Charles’ culinary creations as “heroically wondrous,” noting that he “deftly crafts modern cuisine, enhanced by creative flourishes and a nod to Japan.” He will showcase his extraordinary culinary talents at Raffles’ iconic Restaurant Le Royal Raffles with delectable dinner and lunch sets from Nov. 27-29. The dinner set will be priced from $88++, while the lunch set will be priced from $38++, with special wine pairing options available. Advanced reservations are required for this rare opportunity to experience Michelin-caliber French fine dining in Cambodia. “Raffles Hotel Le Royal has elevated Phnom Penh’s gastronomic offerings to new heights over the past year – and this exclusive fine-dining opportunity with Chef Charles Coulombeau is not to be missed, as he treats even the most sophisticated gourmands to the most memorable of culinary experiences,” Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s General Manager Dagmar Lyons said. Raffles Hotel Le Royal has hosted a series of exceptional visiting chefs over the past year featuring guest chefs with Michelin-star pedigrees, including Chef Stephane Carrade in May, Chef Nicolas Isnard in April, Chef Martin Simolka in March, and Chef Pascal Favre d’Anne, Chef Thierry Drapeau and Vietnam Iron Chef winner Chef Sakal Phoeung last year. For inquiries and reservations for Chef Charles’ culinary experience at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please contact the hotel at Tel: 023 981 888 or email: dining.leroyal@raffles.com. Or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh.