Lionel Ferrari has been appointed as General Manager at Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas
Lionel Ferrari's hospitality career, including more than 15 years of hospitality experience in the Seychelles, stands him in good stead as he takes on the role of General Manager of Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas in Phang Nga province in Thailand. Lionel 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.
His journey with Anantara began in 2020, when as General Manager, he was tasked with the rebranding of Maia Luxury Resort and Spa to an Anantara Resort when the brand bought the iconic property, one of the most exclusive and luxurious properties in the Seychelles.
Hailing from Antibes on the French Riviera, Lionel 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 4-month internship programme. 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.
Demonstrating a strong business acumen and dynamic leadership style, Lionel was appointed General Manager of Maia Luxury Resort and Spa in 2017. His rapid advancement and hands-on knowledge of different managerial levels within a luxury resort, ensure that guests experience an unparalleled level of service during their stay.
Lionel grew up in the hospitality industry - his father was an executive chef - and from an early age he was captivated by hotels.
In his leisure time, Lionel plans to enjoy all that Thailand has to offer together with his family - exploring and discovering as much as they can about the food, people, underwater life and culture.