Stelliers Asia 2026 has named 25 hospitality professionals as winners at its Grand Awards Ceremony, held on September 25 at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
The awards recognise hotel professionals across a range of operational and leadership roles. This year’s ceremony was presented by NORDAQ and brought together hotel leaders, industry experts, finalists and hospitality partners from across Asia.
Stelliers also used the ceremony to launch Maison Stelliers, a year-round community for hotel professionals. The initiative is intended to connect hospitality workers across properties and borders, while providing opportunities to exchange ideas, discover opportunities and support professional development.
Stelliers Launches Maison Stelliers
Maison Stelliers extends the organisation’s activities beyond its annual awards programme.
The community is open to hotel professionals at different stages of their careers, from those starting out to those leading hotels. According to Stelliers, it will provide a platform for members to connect, exchange ideas and support one another.
The initiative is built around the idea that different roles across hospitality contribute to the guest experience.
“One year ago, we promised that Stelliers would continue to innovate how we support the people of hospitality,” said Stéphane de Montgros, Co-Founder of Stelliers. “This year, we are delighted to announce the launch of Maison Stelliers – a home for hoteliers, by hoteliers – where the connection, recognition, and shared purpose at the heart of Stelliers can continue every day. Our driving purpose remains the same: to elevate hotel professionals – so they feel seen, valued, and inspired to lead.”
More information on Maison Stelliers is available from Stelliers.
Stelliers Asia 2026 Award Winners
Stelliers said its award panel assessed candidates based on their professional achievements, leadership skills and impact on their properties, guests and local communities.
Among this year’s winners was Pornchai Savatsri, known as Captain Paul, who received the Unsung Hero of the Year award. He has worked as a boat captain at The Peninsula Bangkok for more than 25 years, transporting guests between the hotel and piers along the Chao Phraya River.
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
Stelliers Reflects on the 2026 Awards
Simon Hansson Yu, Managing Director of Stelliers, said the ceremony provided an opportunity for members of Asia’s hospitality community to meet and recognise this year’s award recipients.
“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.”
The Stelliers Asia 2026 programme was supported by several industry partners. NORDAQ served as Title Partner, while MJAI was Silver Partner, FINN Partners was PR Partner and PR Newswire was Media Partner.
For beverages, the programme partnered with Barons de Rothschild Champagne and Mouton Cadet. JUMAstudio supported the programme as Supporting Partner.
The ceremony concluded with guests celebrating the winners and reconnecting with hospitality colleagues from across the region. Maison Stelliers will continue the community initiative beyond the annual awards, providing a platform for hotel professionals to stay connected, exchange knowledge and support one another.
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