Bangkok, Thailand, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / After two decades in hospitality in Malaysia, New Zealander Aarron Nelson, is relocating to Thailand to become general manager of Meliá Hotels International’s first INNSiDE property in the country.
The new role is Aarron’s first with Meliá Hotels International, a growing Spanish hotel group that has been expanding in Asia over recent years. He joins the team after five years as general manager of citizenM Kuala Lumpur. Prior to that Aarron held leadership roles at Impiana Hotel KLCC, also in Malaysia’s capital, and Casa del Rio, a boutique 5-star property in Melaka.
Aarron started his career in hotel F&B, when an internship led to a job in Millennium Hotel in Rotorua, New Zealand. He then worked his way up, through various F&B roles with Le Meridien Port Vila, Vanuatu, COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives and HPL Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia before shifting to rooms division management. His first hotel manager position was at The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 2012.
“Aarron brings with him a wealth of hands-on experience having both worked in and managed a range of different departments in lifestyle driven hotels,” said Igancio Martin, Meliá Hotels International Managing Director for Southeast Asia. “His local and varied experience in Asia Pacific along with his personality are the perfect match for our innovative INNSiDE brand, as we expand in the region.”
Over the twenty eight years Aarron has worked in the industry in Malaysia, the Maldives, Pacific Islands, Australia and his homeland, but this will be his first position in Thailand – though working in the tropical nation has long been a goal.
“In 1996 while working in Rotorua, New Zealand, I was fortunate enough to be selected to go to Bangkok for a 10-day New Zealand food promotion at Novotel Siam Square,” said Aarron. “I was a young chef then and the experience left a lasting impression and knowing that one day I will see myself working in Thailand.”
The 208-room INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is located in the city’s trendy On Nut neighborhood. The property will offer the kind of creative work and play spaces that underpin the INNSiDE brand. Guests can take in the vibrant cityscape from the towering windows of the hotel’s expansive co-working space on the 32nd floor. Further up the sky high pool bar and open-air swimming pool occupy the two topmost floors. Dining options at the property highlight local cuisine and also honor the Meliá brand’s Spanish roots. A tapas restaurant will provide a culinary pilgrimage across Spain.
“Our INNSiDE hotels are designed for a new generation of travelers that combine both work and play as they explore the world,” added Ignacio. “With its stellar location and a design and philosophy that inspires creativity and connection, our first Bangkok property is the perfect hub for curious explorers to take in this vibrant city.”
This will be the fourth INNSiDE property in Asia and will follow the opening of INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras on March 25th, 2023. INNSiDE properties are also located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Zhengzhou, China.
Meliá Hotels International opened its first property in Thailand, Meliá Koh Samui, an oceanfront resort in 2020, followed by another beachfront property, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, the following year. In 2022 the Spanish hotel group opened its first city property in the country, Meliá Chiang Mai. INNSiDE Bangkok is the group’s first hotel in the capital.
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.
About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.
INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.
Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.
There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam).
First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News