Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Success isn't accidental. It's the story. You rewrite the moment you stop living by the script others handed you. Everything changes. I'm Ras Patel, and on the Ras Patel show, we go past the polished Personas and into the moments that shape us. We explore identity, reinvention, culture, courage, and the unscripted conversations that reveal how people rise, rebuild, and rediscover themselves. These aren't interviews. They're turning points. The kind that shift perspective and sometimes an entire path. When life reshapes you, when clarity breaks through, when boundaries shift, that's where the real journey begins. The Raz Patel show. Story rewritten. Voices awakened. Journeys redefined.
My guest, Thorsten Richter, the newly appointed general manager of Anantra CM Bangkok. With more than 30 years in luxury hospitality across Europe, the Middle east and Asia, Torsten has led some of the world's most respected hotels.
Today, he's guiding Ananthra Siam into its next chapter, where Thai heritage meets modern refinement. Torsten, welcome to the Ras Patel show.
Yes, thank you for having us.
[00:01:23] Speaker B: Pleasure, pleasure. Welcome to An Atarasiam in Bangkok.
[00:01:27] Speaker A: Thank you. It's our pleasure. I mean, 30 years of experience, that's huge. So I'm quite excited to sit down with you and get a little bit of understanding about one of the most iconic hotels here, right, which is Ananthra CM. So let's join Mr. Torsten and begin origin of your Latin.
So, Mr. Richter, when a guest walks through these doors for the very first time, what do you want them to feel before they even reach the lobby?
[00:02:00] Speaker B: Well, in Bangkok, we have a lot of glamorous and spectacular hotels. Taller, better marble, more luxurious. But really what captures you here is the feel of heritage, comfort.
And also Seoul.
[00:02:17] Speaker A: You had me at Seoul. Oh, my gosh. So what defines Seoul and what is the comfort for you?
[00:02:24] Speaker B: Well, we're one of the few low rise buildings in Bangkok, which defines us from all the taller buildings. And what I mean by that is that you come in a glamorously designed lobby with smiles from the door as you just were received to the. To the time you sit down.
And we don't give our team members any scripts, particular scripts. We want them to be themselves, you know, and have basically a fun engagement with our guests.
Natural engagement, Torsten.
[00:02:55] Speaker A: That's one of the. You. You hit a really great point. As soon as I walked in, I mean, I felt the aura, the energy and the humbleness that. That you have in this hotel. Everyone, no matter what, how many times I've come in now, they have Greeted me, and they have made me feel so special. So the fact that you're saying that you don't train them with any type of script says a lot about your staff here. They're like family.
[00:03:24] Speaker B: We have at Anantara a culture which is based on the Thai tradition, and it's called Nam Jai.
[00:03:31] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:03:31] Speaker B: It's the water from the heart.
So in our logo, which has the water jar on top and the Thai triangle cushions, it basically simplifies that in the old days in villages, there was a water jar outside the house, which, you know, bypassers could help themselves and also they could take a rest.
And so we take that inspiration in our logo to our basically daily mission or our kind of, you know, Namjai culture, which basically, as I said, in a natural way, engage with guests and just be a host.
[00:04:07] Speaker A: Beautiful.
[00:04:07] Speaker B: Yeah, this is. This is their house and be a host and. And our guest gets the same comfort as if they would be invited in a home.
[00:04:17] Speaker A: Right. Beautiful. Thank you for that. Appreciate.
32. Yeah. 32 years old.
[00:04:30] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Was started by the artist, Thai artist, actually. And unfortunately, in the midst of it, he kind of passed away, but a daughter and a son continued it.
[00:04:44] Speaker A: Really?
[00:04:44] Speaker B: Yes, yes, yes. So. And Mr.
[00:04:52] Speaker A: Beautiful, you know that it's another question line.
So when us, your dear customers and your want to visit Siam, and obviously, you know, we want to be just fluttering different types of people and emotions and so forth, what do you see that in the flood of our emotions? What you first want us to take in? What is that one thing that you want us to perceive and receive?
[00:05:27] Speaker B: That's more than one. But.
But I think one is definitely feel the heritage of the hotel.
[00:05:32] Speaker A: Heritage.
[00:05:33] Speaker B: Okay, explain it's heritage and craftsmanship. So we're standing right in front of a mural which is over 40 years young, I should say. And it's a particular mural which relates to really the history of Thailand.
We can see here different ministries in the world. We can see the Department of Defense, we can see the Department of Treasury Transport. And it also describes a little bit the country with live in and the monarchy we live in.
[00:06:07] Speaker A: Right, yeah, that's the key right there. So, I mean, it's a lot of different emotions coming in here. But why. Why is that important? Why is that important to like, depict here? I think compared to something else?
[00:06:21] Speaker B: Yeah. I think when you go these days to many luxury hotels, sometimes you wouldn't know are you in New York, Bangkok or Berlin or Moscow.
And I think what we have definitely retained and looked after, restored and kept is Our heritage and it's also the craftsmanship of the artwork. We have so definitely a feeling of Thai.
So when you come into the lobby, you see also the team members wearing traditional Thai uniforms, which we want to retain. They're maybe a little more conservative. But then if you go into the restaurant venues and bars and contemporary and bring a little more of lifestyle through.
[00:07:02] Speaker A: Absolutely. And that's a good key point, is that you have somehow beautifully balanced the beauty of culture, the heritage and simplicity. So that's one of the things that hits home to me is because you have this modern, eclectic environment with the heritage and it's not easy to do that. And you weaved it pretty well, I personally think.
[00:07:29] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:07:31] Speaker A: Tristan.
You've been in many hotels, you've had experience in so many.
What stands out for you here in Alamra compared to all the other hotels
[00:07:43] Speaker B: that you've stayed in, I think outstanding is. First of all, we are in Thailand. We're in Bangkok, a very lively city.
I think here in the hotel we're undergoing, can I say, this transformation. Yeah, of course we're undergoing a transformation. Basically the hotel is just reaching about 40 years. And now we're basically bringing a little bit of modern twists in our rooms, combining the classical with the modern design in all guest rooms. So they will all get a new kind of look and feel.
We do that in all public areas as well. Well, we will do that in this lobby, in our pool, it's done already. And our fitness center, it's already done. Kids, club, etc. So we're going through the entire hotel step by step.
Completion will be by this year, June to September.
And then also, you know, function, space, all of that gets in New York. So for me that's really something. I think we writing a little bit history for the hotel because it's a major transformation for the hotel in the history of the hotel.
And I think it will set us again apart from other hotels because again we are, I mentioned previously, we're a low rise building. We have heritage, we have craftsmanship, and we have, as I call, service from the heart.
We like to add that soul factor to it because at the end of the day, walls are static.
[00:09:08] Speaker A: But you know, but it's the emotions. It's the emotions how you feel about
[00:09:13] Speaker B: this place and that human connection, right?
[00:09:15] Speaker A: Yes, the human connection is huge.
[00:09:16] Speaker B: And then of course, the attention to detail, whether it is through an afternoon tea or whether it's through a turn down service, for example, if you put your glasses beside your bed, you will get from our housekeeping team, a glass cleaning cloth. So it's just placed there more. When you come with a.
[00:09:34] Speaker A: Intricate details.
[00:09:36] Speaker B: Little details. Right. The little details always matter in luxury hospitality. And you know that we always try to define ourselves further and further and try to observe the behaviors of our guests.
I always mention to the team that you know and ask them and challenge them, who do we serve?
For example, taking the minibar example, are we serving the minibar or are we serving. Serving our guests? So when you see a preference and we encourage our team members when they see preferences, to react on it.
[00:10:07] Speaker A: Right.
[00:10:07] Speaker B: If you like a particular drink in the minibar and you drink it every day, we should react to it and we should clear out some other drinks and put more of your preferred drink into that.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: Because understanding the person.
[00:10:20] Speaker B: Yes, absolutely.
[00:10:21] Speaker A: Yeah. Your clients in terms of what they love and what they enjoy. Yeah, yeah. That's huge. And thank you to that for taking care of us in every way. There's one thing that stands out in terms of service that I wanted to address and I loved it. I mean, it just touched my heart when I had to check out and check back in for whatever reason.
One of the beauty of your staff is that they care so deeply that I have a great that I left anything in my previous room.
It happened twice and each time they made an effort to come and just hand me. And I mean, I had no idea. I mean, I left my hairbrush, for example, and I had to go and get one on my own. And they actually came in hand delivered. And to me, it touched my heart because it's just, you know, something petty I didn't get. I was like, okay, I lost it. I would have thrown it. But they made an effort, Tristan. And that to me speaks volume that they go over and beyond to make sure that they take care of us.
So hats off to you and your
[00:11:33] Speaker B: people and you pass and share this with the team.
[00:11:36] Speaker A: Absolutely.
[00:11:39] Speaker B: Kudos to them.
[00:11:39] Speaker A: Kudos to them. Coming up, why today's travelers don't just to want want service they want meaning.
Stay tuned.
Welcome back to Friends Potential.
In this segment, we're talking about what guests carry with them long after checking.
[00:12:14] Speaker B: I think it's definitely a hotel where you will stay for more than one drink in the bar. We saw a bar here, aqua bar is the setup is very natural in the garden.
And the theme is basically back from 20, 30 years ago. We had some ducks actually in this pond here. And so we brought that feeling back in a virtual way to our bar. We handcrafted it.
[00:12:38] Speaker A: A team.
[00:12:38] Speaker B: Handcrafted drinks according to old recipe, new recipes taken into consideration, Thai ingredients.
So, you know, when you have a drink here after your stressful day or maybe after your sightseeing, I think you get a sense of, you know, just calmness and a sense of, I think I'm going to have another one.
[00:12:57] Speaker A: I am with you.
Beautiful. And I love it. Sorry, do you have live music every night?
[00:13:04] Speaker B: That's another signature we have here every day, Monday to Sunday, we have live music every day from.
Yes, it changes the theme, it changes the bands, the authors.
Every other month as well, we change. So there's usually a program from Monday to Sunday, and it then rotates.
So we also have a lot of regular guests coming back, for example, every Thursday or Friday, because they know that's the artist they like, and they come back to that particular artist, and, of course, the drinks they have. Right.
[00:13:35] Speaker A: And today I'm loving my music with the jazz music. And you always have me in sex form, so I'm loving it. I'm loving it.
[00:13:42] Speaker B: And I think another unique part for Aqua Bar is that it's surrounded by restaurants, right. Madison, the Steakhouse K, our South American brewery restaurant, Spice Market, a Thai restaurant, which is not just a regular hotel Thai restaurant. It's really a defining Thai restaurant from Chef Pan.
[00:14:00] Speaker A: And.
[00:14:00] Speaker B: And you mentioned in Aquava, you can order from all of these restaurants, including Biscol itself. So you can. One person can eat a pizza and the next can have a steak, and the third can have some. Some lovely Thai food. So it's quite unique. So combining it all in one, or
[00:14:14] Speaker A: you can have more than just.
[00:14:15] Speaker B: Absolutely. You. You can actually have all the cuisines right here in Aqua, underlined with some defined drinks by our team, our bar team.
[00:14:24] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:14:25] Speaker B: Headed off from our bartender, Ryan, which he's very well known in the bar scene here in Bangkok, and he sets the new trends with his team. Talented team, which you will see in a minute.
[00:14:38] Speaker A: So what is the signature drink that we're about to try?
[00:14:42] Speaker B: Well, I keep that as a secret.
Watch until it comes, and then it will be just perfectly described to you.
[00:14:48] Speaker A: Oh, I can't wait to describe this. Oh, my God. Okay, thank you. Let's look forward to it. You've mentioned about the ambience, you mentioned about the drinks, you mentioned about the openings. Is there anything else that the guests, when they come here, they don't really think about it until they've left, and they have that wow factor, and they come back over and over again afterwards.
What stands out that the guests love the most afterwards.
[00:15:15] Speaker B: Well, I think we define ourselves from other side city hotels in this location, the heart of Bangkok by having a very spacious pool. It's actually a little oasis in itself. It has a massive deck, it has lovely cabanas and it's just so nicely done with the landscape that you feel even though you're in the heart and surrounded by many high rise buildings, you feel you're really secluded. And beside that I think I can say in the center of Bangkok we have the only garden pool villas. So you can have your own little garden pool villa is which commonly known resorts right in the center of Bangkok. You know, enjoy, relax. Have you got.
[00:15:55] Speaker A: Are you going to take us to the village?
[00:15:57] Speaker B: I'd love to.
[00:15:58] Speaker A: Oh, let's go, let's go. So we have Brian over here. He's the manager of apple bar.
Tell us how do you keep everyone entertained?
[00:16:10] Speaker C: Let me introduce myself. I'm Ryan. I'm the beverage manager in Atlanta. Racial are taking care of liquid and
[00:16:16] Speaker A: taking care also aqua gold liquid.
[00:16:20] Speaker C: So the inspiration of the new menu is all about the dog because like back then we have a dog that walking around in the garden. So we create the story of the dog and the lifestyle of the dog connecting to the human. These people coming back because of the dog.
So we have the eight scene eight story what they doing for a living. What they owe when they wake up. Same like this one. It's a pomelo embrace. So we recon mean this one is the the name we get when you wake up you PR the sign you PR like thank God I'm alive. Right. Then the up the duck back it's all about you carry your backpack. That's why the name of the duck back.
And then also we have the last one is quill midnight spell. That's the last ring after the ship.
[00:17:08] Speaker A: Okay. Okay.
[00:17:09] Speaker C: So all the story it's all about the dock, what they do for living. Same like human what you're doing for living. Like eight scene. And then also an inspiration also from the hour eight menu Shintaro biscotti spice market, Madison Guilty. And also Malcolm mappin and lobby. And especially aqua beautiful the way you've
[00:17:30] Speaker A: woven all your entire ambience of the hotel into your story with the drink. So each one is telling a story.
Yes.
[00:17:39] Speaker C: So yes ma'.
[00:17:40] Speaker B: Am.
[00:17:41] Speaker A: I'm loving this. So is there any other drink that's coming into the horizon that you're thinking of?
[00:17:47] Speaker B: We have more.
[00:17:48] Speaker C: Yeah, we have more like especially also our moonlit butterfly. So that one comes with butterfly feet. Especially this one is from Thailand. So butterfly pea. And also we use jasmine rice.
[00:18:01] Speaker A: Yep, jasmine rice.
[00:18:03] Speaker C: So let's say this pomelo embrace. We extract the pomelo. So guys, don't worry. All our asimature drink, we don't have any sugar added. And low abv.
[00:18:13] Speaker A: That's huge. I'm very health conscious.
[00:18:15] Speaker C: So it's no sugar added, no powder added. We extract all the flavors from the pomelo. Okay, let's say our off the dac bag. So that one we extract the flavors from the palo santo. And also like begamon and you know, Mata, it's a pizza. So pizza, salsa and then also the sweetness coming together.
[00:18:35] Speaker A: Beautiful. So tomorrow is Valentine's. Any special drink for all of us
[00:18:41] Speaker C: that you're planning can do anything you want. I can give.
[00:18:46] Speaker A: Well, what do you have in store for us?
[00:18:48] Speaker C: So we have.
[00:18:49] Speaker A: Let's hear about that reveal.
[00:18:50] Speaker C: The big reveal we have today, like guest bartender. But tomorrow we don't have. But we have our menu. We have. We showcase our age signature cafe. Because we just launched this one this month also. And we want them to try our job.
[00:19:06] Speaker A: Your duck.
[00:19:07] Speaker C: Yes, sir. The name of the duck, guys, Quill means quack. Quack Quill.
[00:19:11] Speaker A: So that's what we're gonna have for Valentine's. I can't wait. So. And I'm gonna post that for everyone. You must try. You must come here and try. Well, thank you so much, Ryan for your time.
[00:19:29] Speaker C: So I recommend this one to drink and then you can buy the sausage. So that one inspiration from the eastern sauce is from northern part of Thailand.
[00:19:38] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:19:39] Speaker C: So we recommend to drink and then buy. So like all the drinks that we have also in aqua, there's no any garnish that garnish that you can throw. So all the garnish that we have, all the garnish can eat.
[00:19:51] Speaker A: That's beautiful.
[00:19:52] Speaker C: And also the main highlight here is.
[00:19:54] Speaker A: And the garnish is actually healthy for you. For example, the previous drink, ginger, which actually refreshes and helps with your digestion. So correct.
[00:20:05] Speaker C: So guys, don't worry. If you want to come to Agua, let me know. See you in a.
[00:20:12] Speaker A: Thank you so much.
[00:20:17] Speaker B: It
[00:20:20] Speaker C: right now I'm making a.
[00:20:22] Speaker A: However, it's a humble version. So instead of few Legos, we added two more Legos. Oh, she doesn't want us to sleep tonight. Yes.
Thank you, sweetheart.
[00:20:36] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:21:02] Speaker A: Your production team can like edit whatever they want. Okay.
Yes, I will.
[00:21:09] Speaker B: W.
[00:21:11] Speaker A: This is so beautiful.
Next we talk about Bangkok itself and why this hotel is the perfect gateway to the city.
So let's hear from Tsten, our dear friend, in terms of what he thinks about Bangkok, with being immersed right here in the heart of Bangkok with Antaranandra. Let's go. So Bangkok is vibrant, layered and.
Johnny, Johnny, you can't move.
Bangkok is vibrant, layered and unforgettable. But the best stay helps you experience the city without overwhelming you. And we have here Thorsten, who is going to be able to explain why they chose Anant right here in the heart of Bangkok. It's here. Hi. Welcome back. Hi.
[00:22:09] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:22:09] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:22:10] Speaker A: So, you know, you could have had the option of having Anant anywhere, right? It could have been any part of city in Thailand. But why Bangkok? I just wanted to hear from you.
[00:22:24] Speaker B: Yeah, well, Bangkok is actually where the company was founded.
Bangkok is where the heart of the company lays. And so it's. It gains natural importance to us to have here a stunning hotel. And this location is right in the heart of Bangkok.
If you even go back in history, you know, it was one of those upcoming areas as Bangkok has grown and obviously grown in a.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:22:53] Speaker A: But I mean, in terms. Because you've done such a beautiful job when you. I say you. You and your people here have done such a great job of keeping the Zen, the calmness right in this hotel. Because the moment you come here, you draw in the peacefulness, you know, with the spa, with the pool that I'm about to show.
But how do you manage to do that in this hustle, bustle of the city, the fast pace of Bangkok? How do you manage to do this?
[00:23:25] Speaker B: Well, I think landscaping is a big part of it. Arrival experience. So playing with fire elements, playing with light elements, and then being generous on space. You know, these days, most modern hotels will have a rooftop pool. Well, we have a very spacious pool with spacious landscaping around, which gives you the sense of calmness and the sense of kind of belonging as well, and the sense of relaxation when you come back from whatever you did in Bangkok, which is, as you mentioned, a city which is full of energy and wipes and so on, and a place to
[00:23:59] Speaker A: have your own sanctuary, relaxation.
[00:24:01] Speaker B: Absolutely. So, you know, after whatever you've done, shopping, sightseeing, you come back and you can relax a little bit in this environment. I think. I think it gives you a. It gives you some calmness. And so.
[00:24:10] Speaker A: Yeah, and let's see that, if you don't mind, in terms of this beautification.
Look at this. It's such a wonderful greenery surrounded. I Mean, the pool is great, but I mean, look at this.
You feel like a royalty right here under the cabana.
[00:24:30] Speaker B: Yeah. I think these, these individual cabanas, of course, they're just nice spaces to.
[00:24:35] Speaker A: I feel like a queen right here.
[00:24:37] Speaker B: Find your own little cave, I guess, in the city. And just, I mean, and the beautification
[00:24:44] Speaker A: that you've done with the landscaping, it's a hideaway. I mean, if you look here, It's tucked away where you can go and eat and enjoy the place.
So it's still tucked away where compared to the pool. So it's not. Everything's right in there in your face.
And I'm loving it.
So who thought about this?
[00:25:11] Speaker B: Oh, well, we have obviously a team of professional designers which, you know, which obviously understand what our brand likes to bring across. And you know, the feeling of luxury, the feeling of landscape is I think in every other tire, globally always a center point of design on the outdoors.
So, you know, the feeling of really coziness and comfort and as I said, and bringing across, you know, the sun lounges are not just 5 centimeter thick mattresses. These are proper mattresses where you really sink in and can have a snooze or can just chill out or chill
[00:25:46] Speaker A: here the entire day.
[00:25:48] Speaker B: I'm swimming.
[00:25:48] Speaker A: It's the same time your laptop that nowadays, of course.
[00:25:51] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:25:52] Speaker A: That's a must.
[00:25:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:25:53] Speaker A: Except for someone like me don't work from home.
[00:25:55] Speaker B: Work from the pool.
[00:25:56] Speaker A: Exactly.
In the daytime, you can't tell jp, look at that.
So, Tristan, you've taken us through the entire journey and I'm loving it so far. But someone who's visiting Bangkok for the first time, why should they make this mantra their home base?
[00:26:38] Speaker B: Because I think first of all, the location covers the all, all their needs. If you're a foodie, you find it right around here. If you're a shopper, we have it close by. If you come for medical treatments. Not far. Some of the most famous hospitals around in town.
[00:26:52] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:26:53] Speaker B: So way close by.
And lastly, if you just look for a place to relax without having sort of that city vibe and that disturbance, then you find the oasis. Right.
[00:27:03] Speaker A: It's a one stop walk for all. Right.
[00:27:05] Speaker B: I would say so in the heart
[00:27:07] Speaker A: of the city, it's right here. Centrally located. Shop, eat, enjoy and drink and come back into your own private sanctuary. Loving it.
Beautiful. Thank you.
[00:27:20] Speaker B: Pleasure.
[00:27:21] Speaker A: Honey, how much more time do I have for this one?
Have you been timing? If not, it's.
I did four, five, five minutes or four, four, five minutes. I have four I have seven minutes left. Yeah, five minutes left.
Lovely meeting you as well.
Seven minutes.
Hi, how are you?
Welcome to Thailand. Welcome to Thailand, Mr. Torsten. And you know, of course, Johnny. Of course.
Ah, so good to see you.
Oh, forgive me, I'm like. I've been in Japan.
Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm tired so it's okay. Lovely to meet you.
[00:28:07] Speaker B: Love to meet you.
[00:28:09] Speaker A: Lisa.
[00:28:10] Speaker B: Lisa.
I've got some friends that are German.
[00:28:15] Speaker A: Yeah, they're Swedish.
Swedish, German.
Because they still.
Last interview.
[00:28:22] Speaker B: Last one. Yeah, Last minute.
[00:28:24] Speaker A: Beautiful. Now you want to. Outside or inside?
This is pretty.
[00:28:30] Speaker B: This is lovely.
[00:28:32] Speaker A: Ready?
Five minute more. Yeah. Okay. And then this is last for this and then we'll go to the next.
I think he, he has a lobby kara.
[00:28:43] Speaker B: Lounge.
[00:28:43] Speaker A: Yeah, lounge. Okay.
Okay.
So you mentioned about the sanctuary, you mentioned about the hustle bustle and of course you've taken us through the ride of the drinks, the bar and so forth.
If you had to let your guests know why they need to stay here.
It's, it's about the calmness as we mentioned. But what else draws people into this place? That quiet vibe. Or is it the hustle bustle or is it the party? What, what exactly draws people to it and what you want them to see out of this hotel?
[00:29:22] Speaker B: I think personally you mentioned party. Well, we just came from Aquaba. Yes, It's a very lively place. Right. Especially in the evenings when from 7 o' clock the bar starts. So if you like that, you'll find it there.
If you, if you find, if you want a little more calmness, you find it in our lobby or another spaces around the pool here.
So I think there's a combination a little bit for all. We also have a stunning kids club. So if you're a family with your, with your small ones, your little ones, you know, we have a amazing team which looks after your children.
[00:29:55] Speaker A: So it's a family place too.
[00:29:57] Speaker B: Family place too. Right. And then we have our Kassara lounge, which is kind of the executive lounge where you also can find a bit of privacy. You can also. Also working there.
So I think there's a few combinations as well as the location as well as, as I said the, the surrounding here and also garden pool with us which are unique for this part of Bangkok.
[00:30:17] Speaker A: So interesting. So you mentioned the Kasana Loggia. Is that. Can you take us to that?
[00:30:22] Speaker B: Sure.
[00:30:23] Speaker A: I really want to understand that the whole. I think that will wrap things up in terms of what this hotel has
[00:30:29] Speaker B: to offer for us.
[00:30:31] Speaker A: Us all. Because that's a Private me membership, private lobby.
[00:30:35] Speaker B: It's if you book that, you have to book that room category to have access or suite.
[00:30:39] Speaker A: Okay. Okay, let's. Let's go.
[00:30:41] Speaker B: Let's go.
[00:30:54] Speaker A: Did you send me. Final segment. We talk about leadership, legacy, and the man behind the.
[00:31:00] Speaker B: Let me check.
Okay, ready?
[00:31:07] Speaker A: Now it begins.
Luxury doesn't begin with marble or threat counts. It begins with leadership.
So people often think luxury is about chandeliers, but it starts with people.
What philosophy guides every decision you make here?
[00:31:26] Speaker B: I think first of all, it's about teamwork and it's about empowerment to wow.
So empowerment to the team to take decisions without having to go to supervisors, management, etc. So principally, use your common sense and very simple, make the guests happy.
That's what we try to live here every day. And we try to lead that so that empowerment to WOW guests from the moment of arrival to departure. And yes, you know, sometimes until things go wrong. And then it's about how we recover this and how we react to it.
And that's where the empowerment wow comes in.
[00:32:05] Speaker A: Yeah, you speak about the empowerment and how they react to it, but what drives them, what drives them to keep coming and bringing the smile and this energy that they have every single day? I mean, I've had the pleasure of being here for almost a week, so I'm seeing that over and over. The same staff of yours. So what is the secret sauce?
[00:32:25] Speaker B: I guess so we. We have, you know, an arrival experience for our guests, which we went through parts of it. We have also an arrival experience for our team members.
So when the team members arrive, there is. There's also scent, there's also music.
There's a staged locker room where they can get dressed, dressing room staged up. We say, you know, of course we are particular about the uniforms because there's a sense of pride coming through uniform as well.
So we're trying to remodel and modernize and change and do that all the time, actually. And then we also offer certain facilities so team members can have a full access to a clinic here in the hotel. So if they're unwell or something, they can get treatment here.
[00:33:09] Speaker A: Interesting.
[00:33:09] Speaker B: Yes. We have, of course, training facilities where they can develop themselves.
We have a little fitness center even here in the hotel.
So we're about well being. So there's a lot of our young generation which likes to look after themselves.
So they can do this free of charge in our fitness center as well.
And then of course, in case sometimes team members finish late and they don't want to get Home. They have even a room for them in the team members facility area where they can rest or sleep.
So facilities are very important. And then of course we make sure that we enumerate them fairly and incentivize them, make them part of the success.
[00:33:52] Speaker A: Right, Yeah. I mean incentivize is one thing, but I think one of the things that you mentioned is you make them feel comfortable and you make them feel welcomed themselves. So they're not just working, they feel part of the family.
[00:34:06] Speaker B: Oh, absolutely. And we have various different ways where they can communicate the ideas, maybe their feedback. So we do after interview with the general manager, we do town halls with all the management. So where we share information about what's coming up, what's new, what's the business situation, etc. So we're very transparent our communication with team members. We have, you know, the night shift, you know, it's amazing how people work in the night. They keep me asleep. Right.
And I rely on them. So we have, you know, certain breakfast sessions with them. So we try to engage our team members in a very.
On eye level.
[00:34:43] Speaker A: Right. And I, I saw that and I think of most of our audience saw that today, how you just keep the vibrancy, the energy of alive because you're one of them. Right?
[00:34:54] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely.
[00:34:55] Speaker A: So, and I, I love that because that's why they can feel comfortable being open with you. Yeah, so that's true leadership right there.
[00:35:04] Speaker B: Absolutely. So we, we don't believe in management by authority. We believe in management by empowerment. We believe in management by leading by example.
And I think that's what my team, my management team here does on a daily basis and try to inspire and also develop, you know, there's a lot of young talents which like to sit in my seat one day. So that, that's, that's a pleasure. I have these team members in my team and we develop them throughout maybe the hotel, throughout the company. And there's other team members who are comfortable in doing what they're doing and we need those as well. And we're happy to have them as well because they will be the ones which recognize our guests over and over, coming back back to us. Right. Over the years, over the 10 years, 15 years. We have team members here since 30 years and longer.
So yeah, it's all about, you know, the, it's important the faces of Anantasiam. It's what, what builds the hotel.
[00:35:57] Speaker A: And they, and your staff tends to recognize their guests, which is huge in my eyes. I mean the number of people that walk in every single day. And the way they take care of them in Andrew, understand?
And you can just see their face lights up and they remember what happened on the previous day. Says a lot about your leadership, how they are immersing in this culture and making sure everyone feels welcomed. And it's not just a face for that particular moment, but it's on a daily basis. So Thurston, tell us, where are we right now?
[00:36:31] Speaker B: So right now we are at Kazaro Lounge, which is our club lounge. So if you book your Katara room or a suite, then you have access to this lounge. You can work from here, you can have your breakfast, you can have a lunch, afternoon tea or even breakfast, lunch, dinner, pretty much, yes. We have a team of curators which basically curate your stay if you wish to. Of course, they can give you recommendations where to go shopping, they can give you recommendations on sightseeing, they can give you recommendations on anything you like to do in the city.
[00:37:01] Speaker A: So you're basically your personal assistant anytime you meet them.
[00:37:05] Speaker B: You could call it. Yeah. Yes, yes.
[00:37:06] Speaker A: I love that. My best friend.
So what. So we mentioned about the quiet time. So people come here just to get away and just relax and also work or.
Why would people choose this place over maybe let's just say the pool for example, because that was a very quiet environment, enduring place. So why here?
[00:37:28] Speaker B: Absolutely. I guess air condition is one sense.
[00:37:30] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:37:32] Speaker B: Space is another one. You know, you have all bit as a meeting room facility. So I guess here it's a bit more of a, you know, the pool is obviously casual working. I mean here's maybe a little more formalized. People come here as well to invite other guests or partners to have meetings. So we offer our Kasara Club guest or sweet guest meeting rooms.
[00:37:52] Speaker A: I like that.
[00:37:53] Speaker B: Which you can use for just private meetings, interviews, whatever they want to do conference calls.
[00:37:57] Speaker A: So if you're here for quite a few number of days, then you can at least get your work and meeting done at the same time.
[00:38:03] Speaker B: I love that because we have, we have guests which are here for leisure purpose of guests here which are for business purposes.
And so it's kind of a combination.
[00:38:11] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a combination. So you can get it all done in one place.
[00:38:14] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:38:15] Speaker A: You've done it all. So Tristan, is there anything that you are looking forward to expanding here in this hotel? Because I can't think of anything after I've walked through with you.
What else is left?
[00:38:29] Speaker B: Well, we're actually creating a unique space on the second floor which is in the works Right now, which will be meeting rooms which are a little different to other hotels, I should say. We will have a podcast room for, for, you know, the season, CEOs of the world to have maybe their private interviews done. We will have a screening room.
[00:38:48] Speaker A: So I should have been there. I bet. We need to be.
[00:38:50] Speaker B: It's in the works. It's in the works. Soon to be finished.
[00:38:53] Speaker A: Right.
[00:38:53] Speaker B: And we'll have a screening room for the film industry or anybody who wants to either utilize it for a, for a screening of a movie or initially to a private movie session.
[00:39:04] Speaker A: And when is this going to be, this project?
[00:39:06] Speaker B: This will be by the end of this year, I would say Q4 and 2026 will have that. And then it will be a little studio where you can do, you know, communal sessions you can do from cooking sessions to just art and grafters, workshops, etc, so that's something a little different. And there will be an executive boardroom, I call it a presidential boardroom because it's going to be a really high end built boardroom for 25 people where it's highly equipped and high tech. Tech equipped. And basically the presidents of this world, which we are right beside the U.S. embassy. Right. Or the U.S. ambassador's residence, which can come and utilize facilities, of course.
[00:39:44] Speaker A: And so by end of the year you have enough.
What more can we talk about when it comes to Torsten and Ananthra. Right.
[00:39:52] Speaker B: The last thing I have for you, yeah, it's a, it's our own scent program, so we call it Ambara, which is our Anantara, which we created here in house with my team.
And it's made out of ingredients from Thailand, from woods to dried fruits. And it again should bring across a little bit a sense of comfort when you step into the hotel.
And also in your room, it will be sprayed.
[00:40:18] Speaker A: Right.
[00:40:19] Speaker B: Discreetly in your room. So not to be overpowering of any other smells or any other scent, you know, so. And obviously later on can also be purchased if guests really love it or fan of it.
[00:40:33] Speaker A: And I think you mentioned earlier when we were speaking that descent is going to be through the vent as well for the lobby or.
[00:40:40] Speaker B: Yes, that's right, yes. We usually distribute it on a particular timetable. I mean, there's a whole philosophy behind it, you know, how strong it gets this we do it or time. And of course it depends also on doors opening, closing, so the whole airflow in the lobby. So.
[00:40:58] Speaker A: Yeah, so you have, as soon as you enter, you have that Zen moment, the promise. Yes, right. Because I mean, let's face it, the incense is one of the best feeling you can have when it comes to, like, having that piece, the Sanctuary. So, my God, that's. That's a nice touch. And is that going to be implemented soon?
[00:41:17] Speaker B: Yes, that will be in summertime implemented. And we always say scents trigger memory, so that's, you know, our anchor to it as well.
[00:41:26] Speaker A: Beautiful. Well said. And I love it.
Scent triggers memory. And that's a way to have our guests come over and over again to this beautiful Ananthra. And you heard it from right here, from our dear friend Tristan Richter. To everyone watching. Some places you visit and some places you feel.
We'll see you next time on the Raspatel Show. Thank you so much. And come and visit us, Ananthra.
[00:41:54] Speaker B: We're ready. Happy to have you.
