New General Manager appointed at Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort and Villas

Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas has announced the appointment of Lionel Ferrari as General Manager of the soon to open Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort and Villas in southern Thailand.

One of Thailand’s last untouched islands, Koh Yao Yai is located in the middle of Phang Nga Bay halfway between Phuket and Krabi. Due to open in April 2023, the newly built 148-key resort will offer a secluded luxury island getaway for romantic couples, solo travellers and families.

With more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, Ferrari was most recently General Manager at Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas.

He brings to his new position extensive luxury hospitality experience. He will oversee all operations for the new exclusive property that will appeal to travellers looking for a lesser-known, unusual destination and transformative experiences.

Looking forward to his new role, Ferrari advises “I am delighted to be a part of this exceptional property that promises to redefine the luxury beach resort experience in Southeast Asia when it opens in April 2023.

“I am excited to bring my personal touches and inclusive management style to the team, motivating them to deliver an incomparable level of service and create lasting memories and a deep cultural connection for our guests.

“There are many striking attributes that set this property apart.

“What we have here is something extraordinary and literally untouched. The island gives one a feeling of what Thailand must have been like many decades ago. I love the laidback vibe, the natural environment and the fact that the locals are still very much in touch with their art and culture. The proximity to several other beautiful islands is another distinct advantage.”

Hailing from Antibes on the French Riviera, Ferrari has a master’s degree in tourism and hotel management from Université Côte d'Azur in Nice, where he graduated with honours. He is a polyglot, fluent in four languages - French, English, Italian and Spanish with conversational Portuguese (his wife is Brazilian) and Seychellois Creole also in the mix.

He started his hospitality career in 2006 as part of Maia Resorts’ pre-opening team on a four-month internship program. His drive to succeed, his insatiable curiosity and unshakable work ethic ensured his advancement to Front Office Manager. In 2010, he briefly joined IHG in San Salvador as Assistant F&B Manager, but a year later he returned to the Seychelles to rejoin Tsogo Sun Hotels as EAM Manager of Paradise Sun Hotel Praslin, where only three years later he was made General Manager.

Image: Lionel Ferrari is the new General Manager of Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas. Credit: Anantara.