This year, Centara received accolades for properties spanning beachside retreats, countryside hideaways, and immersive island experiences:

Thailand

Centara Reserve Samui — Ranked No 9, Beach + Island Resorts (Thailand). Set along Chaweng Beach, this property is a premier destination for bespoke luxury, defined by sophisticated design, curated wellness journeys, and personalised service.

Roukh Kiri Khaoyai, The Centara Collection — Ranked No 9, Upcountry Hotels (Thailand). Celebrated for its tranquil hilltop sanctuary and barn-house-inspired contemporary design, this intimate retreat continues to be recognised for its warm atmosphere, exceptional service, and connection to nature.

Maldives

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, Maldives, The Centara Collection — Ranked No 3, House Reefs. A haven for marine enthusiasts offering easy access to one of the region’s most captivating underwater ecosystems.

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives — Ranked No 4, Resorts for Families. A testament to Centara’s family-centric philosophy, this property has been lauded for its vibrant, underwater world-themed environment that offers boundless fun for all ages, perfectly blending adventure with modern comfort.

“We are honoured to be recognised once again by Travel + Leisure’s readers,” said Michael Henssler, Chief Operating Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “To see our properties acknowledged across such diverse categories speaks to the individuality of each destination, as well as the care and consistency our teams bring to every guest experience.”

As Centara continues its strategic expansion, the group remains dedicated to its mission of delivering the warmth of Thai-inspired hospitality through a modern lens, ensuring every guest experience is rooted in world-class service, connection, and the unique spirit of each destination.

For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts and its award-winning properties, please visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/

(Source: Your Stories — Centara Hotels & Resorts)

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According to JLL, the volume of luxury hotel transactions in the Asia-Pacific region rose significantly by 77% between 2017 and 2025, reaching approximately USD2.1 billion in 2025. Significantly, 2025 volumes represent one of the highest annual investment deployments into luxury hotels since pre-COVID times, where transactions reached over USD2.4 billion in 2019.

Whilst luxury hotel transactions accounted for almost 20% of all APAC hotel deals in 2025, more than double the 8% share recorded in 2017 and surpassing even the 16% achieved during the pre-pandemic high, Thailand’s investment landscape remains supply-constrained, as a significant number of properties are tightly held by long-term owners, limiting transaction activity. Since 2017, luxury hotels have accounted for 19.2% of the country’s total hotel sales volume. In contrast, the segment represented just 7.9% of all transactions despite robust investor demand. Notable luxury transactions that year included a shareholder buyout of a hotel in central Bangkok and the sale of a 51% equity stake in the InterContinental Bangkok.

“The luxury hotel segment in Asia Pacific is experiencing a defining moment measured by both its remarkable resilience throughout the pandemic cycle and beyond, and increasingly via a convergence of wealth accumulation and evolving consumer. As a result, we’re seeing sustained appetite from an increasingly diverse investor base, including private wealth and cross-border capital, all seeking exposure to assets that combine prestige, capital preservation, and long-term growth fundamentals,” says JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Executive Vice President Investment Sales Asia Pacific, Pimpanga Yomchinda.

A fundamental shift is underway in how luxury hotels capture market share. While these properties have always commanded premium rates, the occupancy gap between luxury and mainstream hotels is now narrowing, signalling that luxury hotels are year-round performers with strong, sustainable demand.

This performance evolution is attracting both capital and development activity. In the Asia Pacific, the supply of luxury hotels has grown at a steady 4% annually over the past decade, maintaining approximately 8% of the total market, with moderate growth expected through 2030. Thai luxury properties have demonstrated sustained organic ADR growth while maintaining resilient occupancy levels. Since 2019, ADR in luxury and ultra-luxury segments in Bangkok, Phuket and Samui has recorded double-digit growth. This disciplined expansion has avoided the oversupply challenges that historically affected parts of the hospitality sector, resulting in favourable supply-demand dynamics for investors.

A key driver of this momentum is the rapid evolution of luxury hospitality offerings. Global and regional operators are launching differentiated concepts to capture specific guest preferences, from wellness-focused retreats to culturally immersive experiences. The nature of incoming supply reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences. Traditional five-star hotels are increasingly complemented by “lifestyle luxury” concepts that combine high-end accommodation with curated social, wellness, and cultural experiences. This trend is further reinforced by the rise of integrated mixed-use developments such as One Bangkok, Dusit Central Park, Narai Group’s Hatai project, in which hospitality components are integrated with retail, office, and/or residential offerings, positioning hotels as part of a broader experiential ecosystem.

Thailand’s luxury hotel market continued its expansion with the arrival of new brands such as Aman Nai Lert, Andaz One Bangkok, and Ritz-Carlton One Bangkok. The period also saw the significant relaunch of the celebrated homegrown Dusit Thani Hotel and the opening of Six Senses Bangkok and The Langham – Custom House Bangkok. With this influx of lifestyle-focused supply, ADR ceilings have risen in the ultra-luxury segment, reaching rates approaching THB15,000, up from approximately THB10,000 pre-COVID-19.

“The luxury hospitality landscape has fundamentally evolved. We’re seeing properties adapt to changing guest preferences while maintaining the premium positioning that makes them attractive investment assets,” says JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Head of Hotels Advisory, Thailand, Chanavudh Vanachaivong.

(Source: JLL)

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He will oversee the company’s hotel operations and rapid expansion in this key Asian market. A hospitality expert with 25 years of experience. He will oversee a growing portfolio of 32 hotels & resorts across Vietnam.

Across Asia-Pacific, he has led four hotel projects as a general manager and served a spell as area director of operations for South Korea. 

Most recently, he was Marriott’s Area General Manager for Bali, overseeing a portfolio of 22 hotels and resorts in this popular Indonesian island and leading the opening of eight new properties. 

Now, as Market Vice President for Vietnam, he will oversee a portfolio of 32 hotels and resorts across the country, comprising 9,900 keys and spanning 11 brands. With more than 50 new projects in the pipeline, Vietnam is one of Marriott’s fastest-growing markets worldwide. Looijen will be based at Marriott International’s Vietnam office in Ho Chi Minh City. 

(Source: Marriott)

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With 20 years of experience at internationally renowned hospitality brands, Husain will bring a broad range of expertise to Otherland Galle in Sri Lanka.

Hailing from Lucknow, a city renowned for its culture and hospitality, he draws on his upbringing to shape his approach to leadership and guest experience. His command of international service standards, combined with hands-on fluency in restaurant operations, staff training, and general administration, positions him well to lead Otherland Galle’s operational vision from the ground up.

On helming Otherland Galle, Husain said: “I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence Otherland Hotels have placed in me. It is both an honour and a privilege to lead what I believe will become the benchmark for lifestyle hospitality in South Asia. Together with an exceptional team, I look forward to creating a destination defined by genuine warmth, memorable experiences, and uncompromising operational excellence. My commitment is to build a place that leaves a lasting impression on every guest.”

Situated in Galle, the 66-key oceanfront property is Otherland’s first international address and its most ambitious statement yet in the lifestyle hospitality category. The property is developed in collaboration with Emanuel Sidhartha, a co-founder recognised in Sri Lanka’s hospitality and cultural ecosystem.

Otherland Galle marks the first property in a broader pipeline of hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs planned by the lifestyle collective across South Asia.

About Otherland Hotels
Otherland Hotels is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and partners with creatives, developers, and investors who believe in thoughtful, future-facing hospitality rooted in design, curation, and signature F&B.

(Source: Otherland Hotels)

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Featured in the Innovators category, Club Med is recognised for successfully reshaping the traditional all-inclusive travel sector into a highly sophisticated, premium global offering that spans sun, ski and unexpected new adventure destinations.

The annual TIME100 Most Influential Companies List highlights 100 extraordinary businesses that are actively shaping global industry standards. To assemble the annual list, TIME solicits nominations from across various sectors and polls its global network of contributors, correspondents and outside experts. TIME editors then evaluate each company on key metrics, including impact, innovation, ambition and success.

This prestigious recognition underscores Club Med’s successful strategic evolution, celebrating its position as a global leader that seamlessly balances premium hospitality innovation with environmental and social responsibility.

Originally founded in 1950 and once synonymous with simple beach escapes, Club Med has spent the past two decades phasing out its midscale portfolio. The French hospitality giant has shifted its entire focus to premium and luxury properties. A major part of this strategic shift involves complex geographic categories such as mountain resorts, which encompass lift tickets, gear, ski lessons, and dining, and now make up roughly 35% of Club Med’s global business across more than 20 resorts in the Alps, Japan, China, and North America.

Welcoming close to 1.5 million guests across nearly 70 resorts, Club Med continues to diversify its offerings. Key upcoming milestones include the highly anticipated 2026 launch of its first-ever resort in South Africa, a unique beach-and-safari concept on the Dolphin Coast, alongside a brand-new resort in Borneo, Malaysia, and Manado, Indonesia, and a new Exclusive Collection resort in Koh Samui, Thailand.

(Source: Club Med)

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Located above CentralWorld, one of Asia’s largest lifestyle and shopping destinations, the integrated venue accommodates events ranging from executive meetings and incentive programmes to international conventions, exhibitions, product launches, gala dinners, and large-scale corporate gatherings. With capacities ranging from 10 to 6,000 attendees, the destination offers organisers a single venue capable of supporting events of virtually every scale and format.

“Today’s event organisers are looking beyond meeting space alone. They want destinations that can deliver convenience, connectivity, accommodation, dining, and memorable experiences within a single location,” said Robert Maurer Loeffler, General Manager of Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Vice President of Operations for Centara Hotel & Resort. “Our integrated platform allows us to host events ranging from board meetings to conventions for 6,000 delegates while providing direct access to one of Bangkok’s most dynamic business and lifestyle districts. As international demand for Bangkok continues to grow, we remain committed to supporting organisers with the infrastructure, expertise, and flexibility required to deliver successful events of every scale.”

Recent international congresses have further reinforced the venue’s standing within the global meetings industry. In 2024, the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld hosted the 18th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Asia Pacific Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (APSCVIR), welcoming leading specialists from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The venue also hosted the Global Spine Congress 2024, one of the world’s leading gatherings for spine surgeons, researchers, and healthcare professionals. The congress welcomed more than 2,000 participants, featured over 600 speakers from 59 countries, and included more than 120 scientific sessions, as well as a sold-out exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in spine care.

At the centre of the destination is the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, the largest convention venue within Bangkok’s central business district. Designed to accommodate large-scale international events, the venue combines flexible configurations, advanced event technology, and dedicated support teams experienced in delivering regional and global programmes.

The Convention Hall serves as the venue’s flagship event space, offering a pillar-less configuration with seating for more than 5,000 guests. Flexible staging, professional audio-visual systems, and integrated lighting capabilities allow the space to be adapted for conventions, exhibitions, concerts, product launches, and corporate assemblies. The hall is complemented by 1,291 square metres of pre-function space, with an additional 385 square metres available through the convention centre’s open atrium, creating opportunities for exhibitions, networking functions, registrations, and sponsor activations.

For gala events, conferences, and high-profile corporate occasions, the World Ballroom provides a pillar-less setting with high ceilings, soundproof partition walls, large-format projection systems, and professional lighting and production capabilities. A dedicated 706-square-metre pre-function area overlooking the Bangkok skyline further enhances its suitability for receptions, award ceremonies, product presentations, and celebrations.

The venue’s Lotus Suites comprise 15 meeting rooms ranging from 58 to 412 square metres, accommodating between 10 and 400 guests. Equipped with integrated audio-visual facilities and natural daylight in selected rooms, the suites are designed for seminars, breakout sessions, training programmes, executive meetings, and private functions. An adjoining 809-square-metre pre-function area provides additional flexibility for registrations, product displays, exhibitions, and networking breaks.

For smaller corporate gatherings, M23 offers a dedicated executive meeting environment featuring four naturally lit boardrooms designed for groups of 18 to 50 participants. The contemporary venue is well-suited to board meetings, strategy sessions, workshops, and leadership retreats that require greater privacy and a more focused working environment.

Beyond its event facilities, Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld offer 505 guestrooms and suites alongside a collection of dining destinations including Red Sky, CRU Champagne Bar, UNO MAS, COCOA XO, Ventisi, Tea & Tipple, and Mill & Co. These venues allow organisers to extend programmes through networking receptions, client entertainment, executive dinners, and incentive experiences within the same destination.

Connected directly to CentralWorld and accessible via a covered Skywalk linked to Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain network, with convenient connections to the Airport Rail Link, the venue offers seamless access between accommodation, meetings, dining, shopping, entertainment, and both Suvarnabhumi Airport and key business districts across Bangkok

Supported by internationally recognised event standards, including the ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management certification, Centara Grand at CentralWorld and the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld continue to strengthen their position as leading destinations for international meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and corporate events in Asia.

For more information, call +66 (0)2 100 1234 or visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/cgcw. 

(Source: Your Stories — Centara Hotels & Resorts)

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By bringing together Fusion’s wellness‑driven approach and strong presence in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with HMJ’s proven operational expertise in Japan, the collaboration lays the groundwork for greater scale, stronger brand impact, and accelerated regional growth.

The partnership will focus on three core areas: Sales and Marketing, Brand and Design, and Human Resources. By aligning resources and expertise, both groups aim to expand market reach, elevate guest experience, and strengthen operational consistency across their combined portfolio. 

Key initiatives include sharing customer insights, harmonising sales and marketing systems, integrating Fusion’s signature wellness‑driven brand elements into selected HMJ properties, and developing cross‑border training programs for employees in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.

HMJ Chief Operating Officer of Hotel Management Japan, Junichi Araki, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Fusion Hotel Group. As a leading operator in Japan, HMJ sees tremendous potential in combining our operational strengths with Fusion’s growing influence in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This collaboration enhances our collective scale and positions both organisations to pursue new opportunities across the region.”

Fusion Hotel Group Chief Executive Officer Christopher Hur added: “Japan is one of the most important markets in our regional vision, and HMJ has long been a benchmark for operational excellence in the country. By pairing HMJ’s scale and expertise with Fusion’s strong presence in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, we are creating a more robust regional platform with greater reach and capability. This partnership marks an important step in our long‑term strategy to expand our footprint and elevate hospitality standards across Asia.”

(Source: Fuson Hotel Group)

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The 234-room hotel opened in February last year in the heart of Pattaya.

Lopez, of Swedish and Spanish heritage, joins Meliá Pattaya Hotel after serving as general manager of W Koh Samui in Thailand for more than two years.

Before his appointment at W Koh Samui, Lopez served as Interim General Manager at W Maldives after joining the property as resort manager.

After studying hotel and hospitality management at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, he began his hospitality career in Sweden at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel in 2009 before moving into senior roles in Spain, Switzerland, China, the Maldives and Thailand.

His experience in Thailand spans more than a decade. It includes senior leadership roles at W Koh Samui, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort in Koh Samui, and The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa in Phuket. He was also part of the W Hotels Global Brand GM Advisory Board and Marriott International Rooms Advisory Board, APEC.

“His extensive luxury hospitality experience, particularly his deep familiarity with Thailand, makes him exceptionally well placed to lead Meliá Pattaya Hotel,” said Meliá Hotels International Managing Director Asia Pacific Ignacio Martin.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of Meliá Hotels International; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

(Source: Meliá Hotels & Resorts)

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Based on emerging trends across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, RateGain Executive Vice President APMEA Anurag Jain points out that rapid changes in traveller behaviour and accelerating technology adoption are reshaping how destinations and hotel brands compete.

Despite widespread adoption of digital tools and AI among consumers, the hotel industry continues to lag behind in its operational transformation. 

Fragmented systems and disconnected data environments continue to limit the effective use of AI across commercial and operational processes, meaning many critical decisions remain largely manual.

According to RateGain, up to 50% of revenue opportunities are being lost due to a lack of automation in decision-making. This inefficiency is also evident in demand generation and performance management, where 70% of marketing teams struggle to demonstrate return on ad spend (ROAS) clearly. In comparison, 80% of revenue management teams spend up to two days per week on reporting tasks that could be automated.

“At RateGain, our focus is on helping hotels become more discoverable at the moments that matter, ensuring they are present where demand is created and strengthening direct channel performance,” says Jain. 

“Our AI-first approach is about removing friction from commercial decision-making and enabling faster, more accurate responses to shifts in demand.”

“We also want hotels to move away from fragmented vendor ecosystems and instead work with a single integrated partner that drives growth across the full commercial funnel. AI should not add complexity, but simplify operations and deliver scalable, performance-driven outcomes,” he adds.

AI as the connective layer of hotel commercial performance RateGain argues that the hotels currently outperforming the market are those that have moved beyond standalone tools and are embedding AI as a connective layer across the entire guest journey.

“The hotels that will win are not those with more tools, but those with smarter systems capable of connecting all guest data across the full travel cycle. The most successful operators are not simply adding more technology, but building smarter commercial practices that connect marketing, revenue, distribution, and guest experience,” Jain concluded.

RateGain highlights that early adopters of AI-driven commercial models are already achieving significant performance gains: more than a 100% increase in demand through intent-based marketing, a x2 increase in direct conversion via AI-powered booking engines, revenue uplifts of around 30% through intelligent pricing, and up to 300% growth in ancillary revenue through AI-driven concierge solutions.

(Source: RateGain)

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A new history book by authors Andreas and Carola Augustin complements the permanent exhibition at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap. A Tale of Two Hotels – Raffles in Cambodia showcases the property alongside Raffles Hotel Le Royal, its sister property in Phnom Penh, while chronicling an era of globe-trotting explorers and thrilling discoveries.

The ‘Grand Path of History’ tour and book both trace the early boom years (1900-1940) of international travel, when passengers boarded steamships bound for the East and the first aircraft took to the skies. It is a story of true pioneers, like the Sarkies brothers in Singapore, whose Raffles brand has epitomised luxury travel for nearly 140 years.

The 160-page book, full of colourful photographs and available in hardcover and paperback, brings readers into Cambodia’s two grandest hotels, Hotel Le Royal and Grand Hotel d’Angkor, and recounts the country’s determined efforts to promote its rich cultural heritage abroad, from the Royal Ballet of Cambodia’s striking debut in Paris at the start of the 20th century to Hollywood actor Charlie Chaplin’s visits to Le Royal and Angkor Wat.

The ‘Grand Path of History’ tour is available to in-house guests only, with guided visits led by a Raffles historian. Andreas and Carola Augustin curated the exhibit.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, which originally opened in 1929, today features 175 rooms and suites that underwent a full refurbishment as part of a meticulous one-year restoration project in 2019. The hotel’s elegant past has been reinterpreted in a bold, contemporary style that is inspired by French colonial, Khmer, and Art Deco influences.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers exploring the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat. The hotel features an authentic expression of 1930s French Art Deco style, with beautifully refined rooms, suites, and villas that blend old-world charm with Cambodian influences and contemporary details.

(Source: Raffles Hotels & Resorts)

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