Thomas KoesslerAKARYN Hotel Group, the Southeast Asian luxury boutique resort specialist, has announced the appointment of Thomas Koessler as its new Cluster Resorts Manager for two exceptional hotels on the shores of southern Thailand – Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa and akyra Beach Club Phuket. A seasoned international hotelier with more than 22 years of experience, Thomas speaks three languages (English, German and Russian) and has worked in seven countries: the UK, UAE, Russia, China, Vietnam, Thailand and his native Austria. Having started out as a chef at several leading Austrian hotels, Thomas’ international career commenced in impressive fashion at the world-famous Burj Al Arab in Dubai. He later moved to the UK and then on to Russia, eventually rising to the positions of Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director at the Moscow Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel. Thomas then swapped his chef’s whites for a suit and tie when he moved to Sochi, Russia and joined Capella Hotel Group as Executive Assistant Manager responsible for the pre-opening and set up of three luxury hotels. In 2014, he opened the five-star Han Yue Lou Hotel in Nanjing, China, as task force hotel manager under the same hotel group umbrella. Thomas moved to Asia in 2015 for the pre-opening and opening of the five-star Vinpearl Ha Long Bay resort, an expansive new luxury property for the area. He then moved to Thailand and joined the Centara Hotel Group in Karon Beach as Resident Manager. Thomas brings his extensive experience and leadership skills to AKARYN Hotel Group as Cluster Resorts Manager of Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa and akyra Beach Club Phuket, both of which are located on stunning, unspoiled Natai Beach in Phang Nga province, just 20 minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport.