GLOBAL UPDATE
THAI FAMILY THAT
PLAYS TOGETHER
The Sukosols : ( standing , L to R ) Creative Director Krissada ‘ Noi ’ Sukosol Clapp , President Kamala Sukosol , Projects Director Kamol ‘ Sukie ’ Sukosol Clapp ; ( sitting ) Executive Vice President Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi and Vice President of Finance Daranee Sukosol Clapp
The Sukosol family sees its niche in the hotel business as the best of both worlds — independent operators who can manage personally , but with the financial wherewithal to persevere and grow on their terms . What was a somewhat sleepy , 40-yearold Thailand-based hotel company has been re-energized by the younger generation of Sukosols , many of whom were pursuing careers in music and theater before joining the family business . Today , five divisions of the company entirely held by the family have an estimated value of US $ 190 million , according to a recent Forbes article .
The family ’ s 39-room boutique hotel called The Siam — inspired by Kamala Sukosol ’ s rock star son Krissada and developed with his three siblings at almost US $ 1 million per key — has become the hottest spot in Bangkok . The hotel is running at about 60 % occupancy with a rate between US $ 500 and US $ 600 . While Kamala — a noted jazz singer known for philanthropic events where her kids join her on stage — had to be convinced about The Siam , she has come around and is still “ the go-to lady ” when important decisions are made .
Despite the Siam ’ s success , the family is focused on its own set of priorities , including the recently rebranded the company as Sukosol Hotels . “ We will own and operate all we do for now ,” says Projects Director Kamol “ Sukie ” Sokosol Clapp , one of Kamala ’ s four children now entrenched in the hotel business after he played in Krissada ’ s band and started his own record label . “ We have no plans for vast expansion . We work at our pace .”
What is next for the company that currently has three hotels in Pattaya and two in Bangkok is the development of a three- to four-room ultra-luxury extension of The Siam as well as a 50- to 60-room plantation-style resort near the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai . The family is also exploring opportunities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka , as well as another beach resort project three hours outside Bangkok .
“ Being a family business has a lot of gray areas , but we are all pretty well grounded ,” says Executive Vice President Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi . “ We are all different , so we get along .”
HYATT LANDS IN
SIEM REAP
Krishna Adithya
Hyatt Hotels Corp . has opened its first hotel in Cambodia , the Hyatt Siem Reap . Formerly the Hotel De La Paix , the hotel underwent a 14-month renovation by interior designer Bill Bensley , Bangkok . It features 108 guestrooms in addition to Khmer-inspired contemporary art , wood floors and Italian marble in areas including the retro-chic Living Room Lounge ( pictured ). On the CSR front , the hotel is working with Life & Hope Association to help provide sewing training to women and encourage them to start their own businesses .
12 HOTELS October 2013 www . hotelsmag . com