Fresh from its victory as the world’s fifth best hotel brand in the 2017 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, Capella Hotel and Resorts makes its debut in the Thai market by announcing both the Capella Bangkok and its new general manager, John Blanco. Blanco will start his duties by directing the strategies of the hotel’s pre-opening team towards operational success before it opens in Q4 2018.

The Venezuelan-American Blanco brings with him a global perspective and fluency in six languages, having been raised in various cities around the world. He honed his expertise in luxury hospitality for 25 years in both hotel chains and independent brands like the Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, the Bristol and GHM. A veteran of the Southeast Asian market, his most recent role is CEO of Afini, a members-only destination club offering personalised journeys in exclusively managed residences and hotels as well as consultations for lifestyle preferences.

Capella Hotel Group CEO Nicholas Clayton shared, “John is a dynamic leader with strong values and a passion for service excellence. With his extensive experience in luxury hospitality at some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, I am confident that he will bring our service philosophy to life in Bangkok.”

Capella Bangkok is being developed as one of three properties on the Chao Phraya Estate, a 14.2- acre project with an estimated value of US$ 1 billion, by Country Group Development PCL (CGD). The Thailand-based real estate development and investment arm of Country Group is working with Hamiltons International, Dhevanand Architects Co., Ltd., BAMO Inc., PIA Interior Co., Ltd., and P Landscape Co., Ltd. to develop the hotel in conjunction with Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok and Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok.

CGD CEO and director Ben Taechaubol commented on the appointment, “We specifically selected Capella Hotel Group for this project to introduce a standard of bespoke luxury to our guests in Bangkok. We have every confidence that with John Blanco at the helm, Capella Bangkok will not only achieve but exceed that goal when the hotel welcomes guests in the last quarter of 2018.”

As one of the newest landmarks to rise along the Chao Phraya waterfront, Capella Bangkok will present panoramic views of Thailand’s revered river to its international clientele through its 101 rooms, suites and villas, as well as its grand ballroom. The new hotel will also include a specialty piano bar serving desserts and cocktails, a riverside Southeast Asian brasserie inspired by Thai culture, The Capella Library, and its multi-awarded Auriga Spa wellness retreat.