Hotelier of the Month: Daniel Kerr

We already use AI technology to capture our guests’ requests.

Daniel Kerr, a British national, has had an extensive international career in the hospitality industry, including senior leadership roles across various sectors and countries. In the past 24 years, he has overseen property openings throughout Asia Pacific, including Starbucks Reserve Dewata in Bali, the largest in the region and the world's first Starbucks concept store.

His career in the hospitality industry began in 1998 and has seen continuous advancement. He gained experience with Hyatt in Australia and Langham Hotels International in Hong Kong before diversifying his roles. He held directorial positions with Regus and with Ovolo Hotels Group, overseeing various locations globally. Later, he launched an ultra-luxury river cruise ship for Sanctuary Retreats in Myanmar and worked as Group General Manager for Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. He managed U Paasha Seminyak and served as General Manager for Indonesia. Daniel now brings his expertise to Chatrium Grand Bangkok, a five-star twin-tower hotel in the heart of Bangkok, combining Thai heritage with top-tier hospitality.

What are the key factors contributing to the success of the hotel within a year after the grand opening?

There are many factors that combine to make a successful hotel, but underpinning every aspect of our success is our amazing team and their commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences. Following an excellent recruitment process and thorough training, every team member is completely focused on providing service that goes above the ordinary, and this has translated into outstanding guest feedback and high review scores. This, in turn, has allowed us to quickly establish a strong reputation among travelers seeking a luxury hotel in the heart of Siam.

In addition, our product resonates very well with visitors to Bangkok. Our rooms are spacious, and our suites are often booked out weeks (and months) in advance. Importantly, our interior design and ambience reflects authentic Thai culture, which is exactly what guests want when they visit Bangkok. We also received incredible feedback on our breakfast, which is a reflection of our strong F&B performance.

Overall, we are delighted with our first 12 months of operations and we will continue to create outstanding guest experiences and elevate the standard of authentic Thai-inspired luxury hospitality for many years to come.

What is your long-term strategy and goal to stand out in this strongly competitive market?

As mentioned above, our strategy revolves around providing exceptional, heartfelt Thai service, and to elevate the standard of authentic Thai-inspired luxury hospitality in the heart of Bangkok. But we must also be flexible, embrace the latest trends, adopt state-of-the-art solutions, and always adapt to the evolving world.

For example, we already use AI technology to capture our guests’ requests and adjust our offerings to better cater for those who are staying with us. It’s this continual improvement that will help us to remain relevant and always stand out in the market.

How has the feedback been after you received the 'Best City Hotel in Bangkok' award from Robb Report?

I have been overwhelmed by the messages of congratulations we have received from across the globe. It was such a wonderful and unexpected achievement. Bangkok is a city with many amazing and iconic hotels, so to be recognised by such a reputable publication is a great honor indeed.

But once again, I must give the credit to our amazing team, who have enabled us to achieve such outstanding guest feedback and reviews. Of course, we informed the entire team about the Robb Report Award, and it was wonderful to see how empowered and inspired they were. This will give us fresh impetus and motivation to achieve even greater success in the future.

Any tips for those who will visit Bangkok for the very first time and want to stay at Chatrium Grand Bangkok?

There is so much to see and do in Bangkok, and Chatrium Grand Bangkok - located in the absolute heart of Siam - is the perfect base from which to explore the city. First and foremost, our location next to Siam Paragon, the iconic shopping and lifestyle mall, offers world-class retail therapy. Other shopping areas, such as Siam Square, Siam Discovery, MBK, and CentralWorld offer an even wider range of options. Secondly, as Chatrium Grand Bangkok showcases authentic Thai culture, many of our guests will be interested in the local heritage attractions, such as Jim Thompson’s House Museum and the beautiful golden temples. In addition, the Saen Saeb Canal flows directly past the hotel, creating amazing opportunities for guests to see the city from a new perspective and rub shoulders with local people.

I also recommend that guests take some time to relax. Bangkok is a busy city, and our elevated pool deck provides a tranquil oasis to unwind - including our traditional Thai sala which is the perfect backdrop for photos. A Thai massage at the THANN Sanctuary is also a great way to relax and experience Thai wellness culture.

My best tip would be to book a room or suite with club access. Our 32nd floor lounge is an exclusive space with breath-taking views across Bangkok, old and new. The transformation of the city at sunset must be seen to be believed!

What would be the best advice to the younger generation who are interested in working in the hospitality industry?

I would absolutely encourage any young person to enter the hospitality sector. This is such a fantastic, vibrant and exciting industry to be involved in. Every day is different, and it provides opportunities to travel the world, experience different cultures and meet interesting people from all around the globe. For young people who enjoy meeting people, traveling and learning every day, hospitality is a great career.

As the GM of a busy hotel, what do you like most about your day and why?

The best part of my day is the morning. More than 80% of our guests enjoy breakfast at the hotel, some in the Club Lounge but the majority at Savio, our bright and vibrant all-day dining destination. So, spending two hours at Savio each morning gives me the opportunity to meet many of our guests, chat about their experiences and listen to their feedback, whilst also supporting the team at this busy time of operations. As a GM, these are the most rewarding moments.

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