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Experience Thailand Like a Star: Luxurious Retreats Inspired by White Lotus
With the much-anticipated third season of White Lotus about to hit our screens, Thailand has once again captured the spotlight as a must-visit tropical getaway. Thanks to the “White Lotus effect,” visitor numbers have surged, and the destination is topping travel trend charts. According to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2025 report, Thailand is among the top three trending locations for the year. If you’re yearning to holiday like a White Lotus cast member, we’ve curated a selection of luxurious properties—from serene poolside resorts to tranquil wellness retreats—where you can immerse yourself in the best that Thailand has to offer. Here are our handpicked spots to explore: Soneva Kiri Nestled on Thailand’s Koh Kood island, Soneva Kiri is a luxurious, eco-conscious resort offering a range of private villas set within the jungle, by the beach, or perched on the cliffs. This resort masterfully blends sustainability with indulgence, providing personalised experiences with 24/7 butler service, electric buggies, and bicycles for exploring. Activities to Enjoy: Night Snorkelling: Discover bioluminescent plankton lighting up the water. Stargazing: Use the resort’s observatory to explore the night sky. Treepod Dining: Experience unique meals delivered via zipline from the treetops. A highlight of Soneva Kiri is the Seven Days, Seven Beaches experience. This adventure allows guests to explore Koh Kood’s pristine coastline aboard a private wooden fishing boat. Each day, you visit a different secluded beach or bay, including Klong Chao Beach, Ao Kluai, and Koh Rang’s Blue Lagoon. Snorkel, kayak, or simply relax on the shore, enjoying a gourmet lunch prepared on board. Whether you opt for a one-day cruise or the full seven-day journey, this immersive experience offers an intimate way to discover Thailand’s hidden beaches and crystal-clear waters. Soneva Kiri is not just a resort; it’s a destination that invites relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable memories. Amanpuri Located on Phuket’s west coast, Amanpuri lies on a sheltered headland overlooking the Andaman Sea. Meaning ‘peaceful place’, Amanpuri embodies all the grace of its design inspiration, Thailand’s ancient capital Ayutthaya. Resort Highlights: Accommodation: 40 guest Pavilions and 40 Villas surrounded by lush gardens and coconut palms. Facilities: A sleek, 27-metre swimming pool, a Holistic Wellness Centre offering ancient healing techniques and alternative therapies. Dining: Elegant venues such as Buabok and Arva, opening onto the central swimming pool. The Beach Terrace offers another pool alongside the extensive Eco-Beach, Discovery Centre, and Hot Spot—a sport, music, and tech hub. Additionally, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, the latest property joining the Aman portfolio, is set to open on April 2nd, 2025. RAKxa Thailand’s first and leading integrative wellness and medical retreat, RAKxa, is located on the verdant protected island of Bang Krachao near Bangkok, surrounded by the Chao Phraya River, or “Bangkok’s Green Lungs.” Key Features: Wholeness: Achieve a harmonious balance between body, mind, and lifestyle using a unique approach of integrative diagnostics and solutions. Personalised Treatment Programs: Combining traditional and modern medicine to match individual needs and preferences. Wellbeing Focus: Addressing the totality of wellbeing through rest, nutrition, lifestyle, and therapies. Trisara Phuket’s most exclusive pool villa beach resort, Trisara, meaning “The Garden in The Third Heaven” in Sanskrit, is set in a protected nature preserve surrounded by a tropical forest, exotic gardens, and the sparkling Andaman Sea. Highlights: Accommodation: 60 spacious ocean-facing pool villas and private residences. Recognition: Featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2025: The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World. Amenities: A private beach, Jara Spa, and three unique dining venues, including PRU, the only MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in Southern Thailand, with an organic on-site garden. Located just 15 minutes from Phuket Airport, Trisara represents a peaceful and secluded departure just outside the tourist-centric town. Thailand continues to enchant visitors with its blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and luxurious accommodations. Whether you seek a serene retreat or an adventurous escape, these handpicked spots promise to make your holiday as memorable as a scene from White Lotus. Ready to explore Thailand like never before? Pack your bags and let the “White Lotus effect” guide you to your next dream destination! Have you visited any of these luxurious resorts? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
KS Hotels and HMD Asia acquire the iconic La Résidence hotels
KS Hotels and HMD Asia announced their acquisition of Belmond's iconic La Résidence hotels, located in the charming towns of Luang Prabang in Laos and Siem Reap, Cambodia. HMD executive director Anthony Lark said of the acquisition: “We feel a deep sense of honour and responsibility in managing these beautiful small hotels and we are excited to continue their legacy of service and attention to detail, while continuing to develop unique guest experiences in the future.” HMD Asia is owned by Cambodian entrepreneur Sokoun Chanpreda and is managed by Lark who is a seasoned hotelier who previously opened and managed a number of Aman Resorts properties in Southeast Asia and the Trisara resort on Phuket. Indochina icons in hospitality La Résidence Phou Vao, the iconic hilltop sanctuary within the UNESCO Heritage region of Luang Prabang, Laos will continue to operate as normal but under the new management of HMD Asia, effective today, 1st November 2024. Guests of this legendary hotel are immersed in the culture and countryside surrounding the historic town. Long ago, Lao princes would climb Phou Vao hill to fly kites, which today is known as 'the hill of kites' and is home to the iconic La Résidence Phou Vao. On the other hand, La Résidence D’Angkor is currently closed for renovation and will be reopened in Q4-2025 under management of HMD Asia. The charming hotel is located on the riverside in Siem Reap, the gateway to the storied temples of Angkor Wat. With traditional architecture set within abundant gardens, La Résidence D’Angkor guests will be just steps from the colourful boutiques, cafes and tree-lined avenues of Siem Reap, and a short journey to the legendary temples.
Tourism Authority of Thailand lauds the country’s first Michelin Key recipients
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) extended its congratulations to 58 hotels in the country that received Michelin Key ratings in the initial run of the Guide Michelin for the hospitality sector. Thailand’s Michelin Key holders include eight Three Key hotels, 19 Two Key hotels, and 31 One Key hotels. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said: “This very first MICHELIN Key selection for Thai hotels will be instrumental in elevating the standards of Thailand’s hospitality scene, in line with the government’s vision to position the kingdom as a global tourism hub.” Kiatphaibool added that the inclusion of Thai hotels in the prestigious Guide Michelin will be a valuable element in further raising awareness regarding Thailand as a leading global destination. Thailand is the second Asian country to see its hospitality scene rewarded under the Michelin Key schema which was launched in April of this year. So far, Japan is the only other Asian nation whose hotels have been rated in the Guide. Other destinations with MICHELIN Key selections are France, Spain, Italy, the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While the Michelin Star recognises the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the Michelin Key does the same for outstanding hotels. One Key represents a very special stay,; Two Keys, an exceptional stay; and Three Keys symbolise an extraordinary stay. A notable roster Selected hotels include the following: Three Keys for eight properties: two each in Bangkok (Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and The Siam) and Phuket (Keemala and Amanpuri); and one each in Chiang Mai (Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai), Trat (Soneva Kiri), Surat Thani (Samujana Villas), and Krabi (Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.) Two Keys for 19 properties: seven in Bangkok (Capella Bangkok, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Park Hyatt Bangkok, Rosewood Bangkok, The Okura Prestige Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, and The Sukhothai Bangkok); four on Ko Samui (Banyan Tree Samui, Napasai, A Belmond Hotel, Ko Samui, SALA Samui Choengmon Beach, and Six Senses Samui); two each in Phang-Nga (The Sarojin and Six Senses Yao Noi), Krabi (Banyan Tree Krabi and Pimalai Resort & Spa), and Phuket (InterContinental Phuket Resort and Rosewood Phuket); and one each in Chiang Mai (Rachamankha), and Chiang Rai (Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.) One Key for 31 properties: eight in Bangkok (137 Pillars Suites Bangkok, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, Intercontinental Bangkok, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Oriental Residence Bangkok, SO Bangkok, and The Standard Bangkok); seven in Phuket (Andara Resort & Villas, COMO Point Yamu, The Nai Harn Phuket, The Pavilions, Phuket, The Slate, Trisara, and The Racha); five in Phetchaburi/Prachuap Khiri Khan (Veranda Resort & Villas Hua Hin Cha Am, Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, The Standard Hua Hin, V Villas Hua Hin, Aleenta Resort & Spa, Hua-Hin); four in Chiang Mai (137 Pillars House, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, Raya Heritage, and Tamarind Village); three in Surat Thani (Anantara Lawana Resort and Spa, Kerem Luxury Beachfront Villas, and Kimpton Kitalay Samui); two in Phang-Nga (Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga Resort & Spa and Iniala Beach House) and one each in Nakhon Ratchasima (InterContinental Khao Yai Resort) and Krabi (Rayavadee.)
Montara Hospitality Group sets new benchmark for Sustainable Dining in Phuket
Montara Hospitality Group, the visionary owner of the prestigious Trisara resort, is spearheading a transformative sustainable dining movement in Phuket. The group's collection of acclaimed culinary concepts, including the highly regarded PRU and JAMPA, exhibits a philosophy of culinary excellence and environmental sustainability. Montara Hospitality Group's food and beverage venues are all passionate about providing sustainably grown local artisanal produce, which the company refers to as "human-centric hospitality." Montara Hospitality Group has also earned a reputation for prioritizing sustainability at its food and beverage venues, with a substantial proportion of produce sourced from its 16,000 sqm Pru Jampa organic farm, located within the Tri Vananda boundaries. "Culinary excellence becomes truly enriching when it harmonizes with the planet,” says Jimmy Ophorst, the Executive Chef at PRU. “At PRU we aim to bring our guests closer to the best ingredients Thailand has to offer.” Montara Hospitality Group has long been known for its creative, conscientious approach to culinary. PRU, the signature restaurant, remains the only MICHELIN Red Star restaurant in Phuket, a status it has retained for six consecutive years. Recently relocated within Trisara, PRU, provides a one-of-a-kind community-to-fork experience, encouraging open interactions between chefs and guests and exemplifying transparency in the world of fine dining. Another Montara Hospitality asset, the Tri Vananda wellness community, is home to JAMPA whose creed of "locally grown ingredients, live fire, and zero waste cuisine” has earned it a MICHELIN Green Star. JAMPA —overseen by chef Rick Dingen— is a beacon for zero-waste, farm-to-table, live-fire cooking. It innovates by using only live fire to transform local ingredients, almost entirely sourced from the Pru Jampa organic farm. “Sustainable fine dining is a celebration of flavor that extends beyond the palate,” says Dingen. “It embraces the responsibility to nourish not only discerning tastes but also the delicate balance of our environment.” These venues are being complemented by respective new, exciting concepts, such as the Mediterranean-inspired beachside venue CIELO — translating to “paradise” in Spanish. It shines through its commitment to contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, prepared by executive chef, Worawit “Notty” Rattanachoochoke with locally sourced ingredients from local farmers and producers to showcase the best of Asia’s bounty. A refined Thai homestyle dining experience, Seafood at Trisara (SaT), where the finest locally sourced ingredients are utilized for Southern Thai recipes that have been passed down through generations. Seafood At Trisara showcases the phenomenal seasonal ingredients Phuket and Thailand has to offer, both on land and sea. Another new concept, DALA — which is named after the torch ginger flower indigenous to Phuket — showcases Thai flavors offering cocktails and coffee crafted from local terpenes and pan-Asian bites, alongside breathtaking sunset views. At DALA guests can observe the artistry of the bartenders and baristas as they craft exquisite drinks using local ingredients. Montara Hospitality is confident the group’s spread of concepts can put Phuket firmly on the radar of conscientious gourmands worldwide. Indeed, all its food and beverage venues follow the group’s “Dine Good Do Good” philosophy which embraces the sourcing of local ingredients, using artisanal suppliers and being more ethically responsible. “For those seeking a blend of gastronomic and ethical enlightenment, Trisara is not merely a destination but an immersive journey into the future of sustainable dining,” concludes chef Notty.
Phuket Hotels Association empowers Thai hospitality executives with third Cornell University Scholarship
The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation representing 88 of the island’s top hotels and resorts, is delighted to announce the latest recipient of its scholarship for talented Thai hospitality executives, as part of its long-term strategy to elevate hotel leadership in Phuket. Under a collaboration between Phuket Hotels Association and Cornell University, one highly promising team member from a hotel or resort in Phuket is offered a scholarship to Cornell’s annual General Managers Program (GMP). This year’s scholarship has been generously donated and fully funded by Mr. William Heinecke, Founder & Chairman of Minor International PCL. The latest GMP Cornell Scholarship was awarded to Pathama Kanteetaw, Executive Assistant Manager at Paresa Resort. Khun Kaew, as she is better known, worked for Marriott and Hilton before joining Paresa in 2016. She has impressed with her passion, business acumen, leadership skills and ability to create outstanding guest experiences. Now, Khun Kaew will travel to Cornell University, the prestigious Ivy League institution in New York state, USA, where she will undertake the five-day GMP from 18-23 June 2023. This immersive program is designed to help senior hospitality professionals, including heads of department, take the next step in their careers and become general managers. Phuket Hotels Association will cover the cost of Khun Kaew’s flights, accommodation and visas. Bjorn Courage, President of the Phuket Hotels Association, said: “We are delighted that Khun Kaew has been selected for our GMP scholarship program. Over the course of her career, Khun Kaew has proven that she is a very talented hospitality leader with a bright future, so it is a great pleasure to help her take this important step. I would also like to thank Bill Heinecke for his generous sponsorship of our GMP. Phuket Hotels Association is fully committed to investing in Thai professionals, for the long-term benefit of Phuket’s hotel sector and the entire country. We look forward to seeing Khun Kaew develop into an exceptional general manager in future.” Since it was launched 37 years ago, Cornell University’s GMP has hosted more than 1,900 participants representing 120+ countries and territories worldwide. Khun Kaew is the third person to have been awarded Phuket Hotels Association’s GMP scholarship. In 2018, Ms. Isara Pangchan, Executive Assistant Manager at Trisara completed the GMP, which was donated by Allan Zeman, owner of Andara Resort & Villas. Then in 2019, Ms. Sayamon Sittirit, Cluster Resort Manager at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas was the successful candidate, after the scholarship was donated by Ian Lien, Managing Director at SC Capital Partners. The scholarship program will continue this year, with the 2023 GMP set to be donated by Gordon Oldham, owner of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. These scholarships form part of Phuket Hotels Association’s focus on education, one of its four strategic pillars. Talent retention and development have emerged as critical issues in the post-pandemic era – not only in Phuket but all across Thailand and around the world. These valuable scholarships are empowering Thai executives to take the next stage in their professional careers.
Hotels and resorts across Asia with their own farms
As more and more hotels and resorts strive for sustainability and self-sufficiency, we’ve put together a round-up of properties that have embraced the “farm to table” movement by establishing their own farms and gardens. To Plant, to Raise and to Understand in Phuket Trisara, an exclusive hideaway in Phuket’s unspoiled northwestern corner, is notable among resorts in Thailand for its sustainability philosophy. And this ethos is to the fore in its Michelin-garlanded F&B that encompasses PRU—the only Michelin-starred restaurant on Phuket—and Jampa, a zero-waste venue leading the charge for sustainable dining on the island. Locavore inclinations reach a delicious crescendo at Pru. The venue's name – an acronym for Plant. Raise. Understand. – provides a solid clue as to its overriding creed. Jampa, meanwhile, takes Trisara’s “Dine Good, Do Good” motto to a logical conclusion with its zero-waste cuisine. The beating heart of this philosophy is Pru Jampa, Trisara's 16,000-square-metre farm. The treasure trove of a garden is a culinary playground bursting with aromas and flavours to be utilised by award-winning chefs Jimmy Ophorst (Pru) and Rick Dingen (Jampa). Here chickens are raised for their eggs, fish is farmed sustainably, and myriad fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs are cultivated. Altogether, along with rotating their crops, this creates a sustainable ecosystem to nourish the land and to support the local economy. ‘360° Cuisine’ Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint Meliá Chiang Mai is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept, under which executive chef Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy) crafts dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost. Meliá Chiang Mai has partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a 350-acre gourmet organic farm located in nearby San Sai District, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs on a two-acre plot on the broader ORI9IN property for its restaurants, bars and spa. “Our ‘farm to plate’ efforts, sourcing organic produce that travels only a short distance to our hotel and using every part of each ingredient we can – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – come full circle with ‘plate to farm’, whereby we return food waste back to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept,” Billy said. Through the partnership with ORI9IN, local farmers assist the hotel with import substitution, growing various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialized ingredients such as padrón pepper, that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The hotel’s kitchen works closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production, in a bid to make communities and the overall food system more resilient. Cam Ranh Resort Grows Its Own Food at New Onsite Farm In an effort to realize more self-sufficiency and sustainability at Alma Resort, landscape manager Ngo Duc Thinh and his team have transformed parts of the 30-hectare resort into a 1000sqm nursery garden, a 260sqm chicken farm and a 180sqm herb garden. The nursery garden is teeming with bananas, coconuts, papaya, squash, passionfruit, sunflowers, daisies and more. The adjacent chicken farm is home to a growing brood of hens, roosters and chicks. Outside beachfront restaurant Atlantis, the herb garden brims with mustard leaves, morning glory, red and green chili peppers, Vietnamese basil, lettuce, green onions, white radish, bok choy, tomatoes and more. All the farm’s produce is directed to the resort’s restaurants. Bananas, coconuts and eggs are served during breakfast. Lettuce and mustard leaves are included in salads and coconuts are provided as drinks at Atlantis. Italian restaurant La Casa’s traditional caprese salad features tomatoes from the herb garden with locally produced mozzarella cheese. Onsite Farm’s Produce Feeds Resort’s Guests and Staff The Anam Cam Ranh has dedicated 8500sqm of its 12 beachfront hectares to an array of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and chicken and duck eggs for meals for guests and staff. The resort’s chefs incorporate ingredients from the resort’s farm such as morning glory, malabar spinach, corn, mustard green, and wild betel leaves in meals served to guests at Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar as well as at the staff kitchen. The farm’s variety of vegetables also include lettuce, cucumber, green onion, and cassava root. Custard apple, papaya, banana, mango, cac fruit and bitter melon are among the farm’s fruits. Herbs grown include basil, coriander, thyme, mint, imperata cylindrica, and plantago asiatica. In addition to ducks and chickens, the farm also features geese, rabbits, goats, guinea fowls, turkeys and peacocks. Children are welcome to visit the farm as part of a supervised program to learn more about sustainable farming. Buffalo Manage the Margins at a Mid-Coast Golf Course Located in a part of Vietnam renowned for its pristine nature, Laguna Lang Co prides itself on having a strong focus on sustainability. And part of this drive is an extensive organic farm which utilizes worm farming as the source of nutrition. The farm provides fresh produce for the F&B outlets at award winning resorts Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co. It is supported by a range of other agricultural initiatives: not least Laguna Lang Co’s famous bovine greenkeepers. Water buffaloes help to manage the seven-hectares of rice fields located right in the middle of the Sir Nick Faldo Signature course by eating excess weeds and crops in the area that would otherwise require machinery and manpower to maintain. Not only do the animals provide a vital service in tending to the paddies, they supply an additional appealing optic to one of the most eye-catching sections of a golf course that is already strong on visual manna. The rice-fields, though, are not just for show. Harvested twice a year, they yield up to 20 tons of rice that are used to support the organic farm at Laguna Lang Co and donated to families and seniors in the area. Willow’s Garden Grows from Strength to Strength What began as a spice garden in response to a shortage of vegetables during an ongoing COVID-19 lockdown has blossomed into a self-sustainable half-acre space dubbed ‘Willow’s Garden’ on Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort’s grounds. The team at the beachfront resort on Vietnam’s southern coastline started the project in 2021, planting a few fast-growing vegetables and spices for use in lunches at the staff canteen in a bid to be more self-sufficient during the pandemic. The 1700sqm that surrounds a 300sqm lake harbors an array of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, such as grapefruit, pomegranate, cucumber, eggplant, ginger, coriander, and sunflowers, all free from chemicals and additives. The resort expects to develop a specialized menu embracing a plant-to-plate philosophy in its restaurants, and a program giving guests the chance to cultivate their own mini-garden at home by learning the fruitful tips and tricks deployed by staff. Guests will also be encouraged to rummage through the garden to pick ingredients such as fresh herbs to use when crafting their own dishes before indulging them as part of Muoi restaurant’s “Cook & Dine” cooking class. The resort will also roll out fun, free gardening activities for guests such as painting pots, flower puzzling, leaf crafts, and making herb-infused essential oils. A Huge Hands-on Resort Farm Kids Love Along Vietnam’s coast Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, on Vietnam’s south central coast, boasts one of the largest resort farms in Vietnam - with more than 250 animals, a mango orchard, and a herb & vegetable garden of more than 3,000 square meters producing over 40 kg of fresh organic vegetables daily. The resort established the Fusion Farm school in 2020 where they teach classes daily, on a complimentary basis, to guests and employees' children on how to care for animals and grow vegetables. Children also enjoy collecting their own eggs for breakfast. All of their wet raw food waste is used to feed the animals, resulting in zero removal of waste from the property. A Picturesque and Practical Design Helps Feed Locals and Guests in Mai Chau The mountainside property, Avana Retreat Mai Chau, embraces its local roots – literally. The team recently launched their own natural, pesticide-free garden, where they grow a vast selection of herbs and vegetables that appear on guests' plates. From chayote to coriander many typical Vietnamese flavors can be found in the new vegetable patch. Also on site is a free-range chicken farm where around 500 chickens enjoy a spacious home, while supplying the kitchen with an abundance of eggs. And while the picturesque terraced rice fields that cascade throughout the property are a stunning design element, they’re also working rice paddies tended to by the local community. A Bali Resort Farm is Abuzz Melia Bali, an oceanfront property situated along the pristine coastline of Nusa Dua in Bali, has been abuzz in recent months with the addition of bee hives to its impressive 1,000 sqm organic garden. The beekeeping initiative was introduced to support pollination, biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem, within the garden, and also on a more broader scale. A range of vegetables, spices, herbs, fruit and a mini paddy field can also be found in the Chef’s Garden of this tropical island. A Vegetable Garden Experience With a Passionate Chef in Bali While most of the produce at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, comes from a thriving vegetable garden, elements on each plate aren’t restricted to what can be found in the produce patch. Chef Dean, the head chef at the property who is behind this vast organic garden, likes to make the most of what can also be found throughout the lush grounds of the property, collecting herbs and spices such as the bark from cinnamon trees on-site. Tarragon, garlic chives, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm, cinnamon basil, Vietnamese coriander, turmeric, and vegetables from okra to eggplants, along with fruits ranging from limes to durian, are just some of what is grown at the property and a tour with the chef of his abundant yield is a must-do for passionate foodies.
Phuket Hotels Association ropes in new leadership team
The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation with 72 member properties, has embarked on an exciting new era with the appointment of a new senior leadership team. Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, who has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, has been named as the Association’s new President of the Phuket Hotels Association, succeeding founding President, Anthony Lark, ex General Manager of Amanpuri, Trisara, and now Executive Director at HMD, Shinta Mani and Bensley Collection hotels. Sumi Soorian, who has been with the Phuket Hotels Association since its foundation in 2016 and most recently served as Development Director, has also been promoted to Executive Director. A marketing and communications professional who specialises in project management and business development, Sumi graduated in the USA and has worked in multiple countries, including Australia, China and Thailand. Bjorn moves into the role of President at a time of optimism for Phuket’s tourism and hospitality industry. The island was one of the first Southeast Asian destinations to safely reopen to international visitors when it launched the innovative “Phuket Sandbox” programme in July 2021, and its hotels and resorts are now gearing up for a strong recovery in the winter high season and beyond. There can be few more qualified people to lead this proactive organisation than Bjorn. During the course of a 25-year career, he has worked with many of the industry’s most iconic brands, including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental. He also successfully completed Cornell University’s Executive Leadership programme. “During these initial times of recovery from the Covid pandemic, I am proud to serve our member hotels, communities and destination to the best of my ability. I will strive to continue and further evolve the important work done by the association, working groups and member hotels to-date, especially in regard to our association’s three key pillars: Marketing, Environment and Education. Thank you to Anthony for his leadership since the inauguration of the Phuket Hotel Association and for continuing to serve the Association as Senior Advisor,” Bjorn commented. Since it was founded in January 2016, the Phuket Hotels Association has grown to represent 72 of the island’s top internationally-branded and independent luxury and midscale hotels and resorts, comprising just over 12,000 rooms. Each of these members has made a commitment to the destination and, through the Phuket Hotels Association, are actively investing in a sustainable future through long-term environmental and educational initiatives. Anthony Lark will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Association, alongside Bill Barnett, a founder of the Phuket Hotels Association and Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, David Keen, CEO of QUO, David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia Communications, Boon Yongsakul, Chairman of Boat Pattana, and Saharat Jivavisitnont, Executive Director at Jee Teng Hospitality Group.
Trisara phuket
Trisara, ถนน ศรีสุนทร Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thailand
Phuket’s New Wellness Trends for Hotels, Tourism, and Real Estate
The C9 Sessions : Learn the latest insights and trends in Asia’s most dynamic resort destination, Phuket with series of conversations.