Capella Hotel Group has announced Roland Fasel will become president in April.

Founded in Singapore, Capella Hotel Group has two luxury brands: Capella Hotels and Resorts and Patina Hotels and Resorts. 

Fasel, who has 30 years’ experience in international luxury hospitality, will spearhead the group’s global expansion to double the current portfolio of 12 hotels by 2030. 

The group is preparing for Patina openings in China - in Tianjin and Sanya. Read more about Patina Osaka, which debuted last year in Japan, here.

Capella Hotels and Resorts’ properties span Asia-Pacific with future openings planned in the Middle East and Europe. 

The next opening is the 89-key Capella Kyoto in Japan, which will debut later this month with an Auriga Spa with four treatment rooms and three private onsen rooms. It will also have wet and dry saunas. Programming will be inspired by lunar cycles, holistic rituals and contemporary wellness practices.

Roland Fasel’s professional background

Fasel will be leaving his role as group COO at Maybourne Hotel Group. 

Prior to that, he spent six years as COO at Aman Resorts, where he oversaw the opening of properties including Amanyangyun in China, Aman Kyoto in Japan and Aman New York.

Fasel was also GM of Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz, Switzerland and was involved in the launch of the Dorchester Collection before that. 

Early on in his career, he had multiple roles in Southeast Asia before becoming a GM for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. He started out at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in the US.

Evan Kwee, vice chair, Capella Hotel Group, said, “Roland brings the rare combination of strategic vision and operational expertise to lead Capella Hotel Group through its next chapter of growth. He has transformed iconic properties by elevating both culture and performance – proving that excellence in luxury hospitality is both an art and a discipline. As we expand globally, we need a leader who can strengthen our competitive position while deepening the culture that differentiates us." 

In addition to preparing for new openings for the Capella Hotel Group, Fasel will build brand awareness in new markets and maintain operational excellence across the portfolio.

Neil Jacobs, former CEO of Six Senses, is providing strategic consultancy services to the Capella Hotel Group. Read more about Jacobs’ company, Wild Origins, here.