Stelliers Asia 2026 Gala Dinner Honors Asia’s Leading Hoteliers at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Among the most anticipated hotel awards in Asia, Stelliers Asia 2026 stands out as a celebration of the people shaping the region’s hospitality industry. Held in Bangkok, the prestigious awards platform dedicated to recognising outstanding hotel professionals across Asia brought together leading hoteliers and hospitality figures at the Grand Awards Ceremony at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.

Stéphane de Montgros, Co-Founder of Stelliers

Presented by NORDAQ, the award ceremony brought together hotel leaders, industry experts, finalists, and hospitality partners from across the region to celebrate the people who make memorable stays possible, from the teams guests meet to those who work behind the scenes.

This year, Stelliers Asia celebrated 25 winners whose achievements, leadership and contribution continue to shape the future of Asian hospitality. Here, we capture some of the memorable moments from the evening and highlight the winners of this prestigious celebration.

Stelliers also launched Maison Stelliers at the ceremony, extending its mission beyond the annual awards. The new year-round community gives hotel professionals, from those starting out to those leading entire hotels, a place to connect across properties and borders, exchange ideas, discover opportunities and support one another’s growth. Built around the belief that every role in hospitality matters, it aims to help hoteliers feel seen, valued and inspired to lead in their daily work.

Among this year’s winners was Pornchai Savatsri, known as Captain Paul, who received the Unsung Hero of the Year award. For more than 25 years, the boat captain at The Peninsula Bangkok has welcomed guests on the Chao Phraya River, ferrying them between the hotel and the city’s piers. Generations of returning guests know him for the warmth he brings to every journey.

Stelliers Asia 2026 Award Winners:

General Manager of the Year: Jean-Pierre Joncas, General Manager at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
Butler of the Year: Somporn Keaboot, Senior Reserve Host (Butler) at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Chef of the Year: Daniele Cason, Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Concierge Hotelier of the Year: James Tiking, Concierge Service Leader at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
CSR Hotelier of the Year: Dieter Ruckenbauer, Former General Manager at Le Méridien Bangkok
Engineering Hotelier of the Year: Boonchuay Kiatbidakul, Director of Engineering at Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel
Finance Hotelier of the Year: Nutthanont Arya, Multi-Property Director of Finance at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town & Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach
Food & Beverage Hotelier of the Year: Anusit Wisetkan, Director of Banquet at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Front Office Hotelier of the Year: Duangkamol Kongsuwan, Room Division Manager at Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort
Green Hotelier of the Year: Pisarn Karnjanavanich, Director of Engineering at Capella Bangkok
Hotel Manager / Resident Manager of the Year: Ian Ding, Resort Manager at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Housekeeping Hotelier of the Year: Naoaki Okamoto, Executive Housekeeper at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
Human Resources Hotelier of the Year: Dama Adhyatma, Director of Human Resources at Bvlgari Resort Bali
Hygiene & Food Safety Hotelier of the Year: Photcharapun Raksapakdee, Hygiene and Quality Assurance Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Information Technology Hotelier of the Year: Joy Rodrigo, Senior Director of Technology Innovation & Data at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi
Marketing & Communications Hotelier of the Year: Dan Schacter, Regional Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Mixologist of the Year: Chunyanuch Yodsuwan, Head Bartender at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Owner of the Year: Eric Tan, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Interhill Hospitality
Pastry Chef of the Year: Kevin Lee, Executive Pastry Chef at The St. Regis Jakarta
Revenue Management Hotelier of the Year: Ha Nguyen, Director of Revenue & E-commerce at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Sales Hotelier of the Year: Christopher Kang, Director of Commercial Strategy at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Security Hotelier of the Year: Pongsathorn Chularat, Director of Loss Prevention at Capella Bangkok
Sommelier of the Year: Bella Jankaew, Head Sommelier at Swissôtel The Stamford
Unsung Hero of the Year: Pornchai Savatsri, Boat Captain at The Peninsula Bangkok
Wellness & Spa Hotelier of the Year: Evelien Louise Akerboom, Director of Equine at NIHI Sumba

Simon Hansson Yu, Managing Director of Stelliers

Reflecting on this year’s edition, Simon Hansson Yu, Managing Director of Stelliers, said, “Bringing Asia’s hospitality community together in Bangkok to celebrate these hospitality heroes is a powerful reminder of what makes our industry so special. The remarkable talent across all categories continues to inspire us, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who made this edition such a success.”

Stelliers Asia 2026 is supported by industry partners who share its commitment to celebrating hospitality professionals. This year’s programme was made possible by Title Partner NORDAQ, Silver Partner MJAI, PR Partner FINN Partners, and Media Partner PR Newswire, alongside Beverage Partners Barons de Rothschild Champagne and Mouton Cadet, and Supporting Partner, JUMAstudio.

The Stelliers Asia 2026 ceremony ended by guests celebraing the winners and reconnecting with peers across the region. Maison Stelliers will carry that spirit forward, giving hoteliers a way to stay connected, share knowledge and support one another beyond the annual awards.