The publish SK Hotels’ Scott Walton talks new hotels and destinations coming up in Thailand, innovation and technology appeared first on TD (Journey Each day Media) Travel Daily Media.
SK Motels is constant its enlargement in Thailand, with a handful of latest properties arising within the capital Bangkok and new locations throughout the nation set to broaden its current portfolio. Managing director Scott Walton talks with TDM in regards to the development, and the way innovation and know-how are taking part in key roles.
Journey Each day Media (TDM): Are you able to give us an overview of the present SK Motels property portfolio, and taking into consideration your development plans, new properties within the pipeline?
Scott Walton: SK Motels was established as a three way partnership between Siamese Asset, a publicly listed property developer based mostly in Bangkok, and Kew Inexperienced Motels within the UK, a hospitality group with a portfolio of 44 owned and 16 managed properties throughout the UK and Europe. The partnership was born from a strategic imaginative and prescient: leaders from Siamese Asset visited the UK and had been struck by how effectively Kew Inexperienced had structured its operations – not solely when it comes to resort administration, but additionally in areas like finance, human sources, and business assist. These features had been embedded regionally in a manner that stood other than the extra inflexible company constructions sometimes seen in Thailand.
This go to sparked the formation of SK Motels in Bangkok, with a transparent mission to convey the identical sort of streamlined, performance-driven working mannequin to the Siamese Asset resort portfolio. In doing so, we’ve created a nimble, centralized assist construction that has already confirmed efficient throughout a number of newly launched properties.
Since rising from the pandemic, SK Motels has opened six properties throughout Bangkok, together with the Wyndham Queen Conference Centre, Wyndham Backyard Sukhumvit 42, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Sukhumvit 48, Ramada by Wyndham Sukhumvit 87, TRIBE Residing Bangkok Sukhumvit 39, and Cassia by Banyan Group in Rama 9. Every of those properties entered the market post-COVID and have responded properly to the resurgence in worldwide and home journey. Some properties hit the bottom working with exceptionally robust efficiency, whereas others rapidly discovered their footing, delivering constructive outcomes all through 2023 and into 2024.
Wanting forward, our pipeline consists of a number of high-profile openings. The Crowne Plaza Bangkok Rama 9 is scheduled to open quickly, adopted by Cassia by Banyan Group in Ram Intra, after which a Hilton Backyard Inn, additionally within the Ram Intra district. These upcoming launches replicate our ongoing confidence in Bangkok’s potential, however we’re additionally increasing our imaginative and prescient past the capital.
We’re at present in superior discussions on properties in main leisure locations akin to Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket, with promising leads rising in Koh Samui and Chiang Mai. The timing is true: our Bangkok-based properties have stabilized, and the centralized assist infrastructure that we’ve got constructed throughout business, finance, HR, and IT now permits us to develop the portfolio with power and agility.
With this stable basis in place, SK Motels is poised to proceed its enlargement throughout Thailand, bringing effectivity, innovation, and efficiency excellence to every new vacation spot.
TDM: We perceive innovation performs a key position in your operations, specifically on the subject of bettering property efficiency. Are you able to increase on this?
Scott Walton: Innovation has turn out to be a defining pillar of our operations. The speedy rise of AI post-COVID, alongside evolving visitor expectations and a extra complicated working setting, has pushed us to rethink how we work. Due to the forward-thinking nature of our three way partnership companions, we’ve embraced these modifications head-on, however with warning and intent.
At SK we don’t implement AI to interchange human roles, we use it to amplify efficiency. For instance, when revising our menus at TRIBE Residing – a course of that sometimes includes weeks of costing, sourcing, and coordination – we used AI instruments to streamline procurement knowledge, automate value comparisons, and pace up documentation. This allowed our cooks to focus absolutely on culinary creativity and innovation, bettering the visitor expertise somewhat than being slowed down in admin.
Our innovation can be deeply supported by Siamese Know-how, an inner division of Siamese Asset centered on enhancing visitor expertise via environmental design and development know-how. They’ve pioneered developments in air high quality management, acoustic insulation between rooms and corridors, and energy-saving strategies all of which contribute to extra sustainable, snug visitor environments. This partnership has helped a number of of the properties developed by Siamese Asset and managed by SK to earn EDGE certification, a globally acknowledged ESG commonplace originating from Singapore.
These improvements not solely cut back working prices but additionally be certain that we will meet or exceed model and sustainability requirements with confidence and consistency.
TDM: With meals & beverage and wellness additionally being cornerstones of your improvement technique, what can friends count on from SK Motels properties in these areas?
Scott Walton: Meals and beverage are on the coronary heart of each property we open. Our technique begins by contemplating the native market and what elements can be found, what the group craves, and the place we will break from the anticipated. We take inspiration from international traits whereas at all times remaining regionally related.
This imaginative and prescient is championed by Siamese Asset’s possession, who persistently encourage us to problem the norm. We experiment with new ideas, elements, and working fashions to stay forward of evolving shopper expectations. Whether or not it’s via centralized manufacturing kitchens that enhance consistency and effectivity, or by embracing the “Instagrammable” development to enchantment to the visual-first buyer, our method is grounded in a ardour for reinvention.
I’m a agency believer that consistency, nonetheless, is simply as necessary as innovation. One of many earliest classes I realized in hospitality, working in Auckland’s restaurant scene, was that if one thing works, make it constant. If it doesn’t, change rapidly. We apply this precept at each property, guaranteeing that strong-performing gadgets or companies are refined and delivered flawlessly, whereas underperforming ideas are reimagined.
Wellness is a key element of our improvement technique and continues to develop in significance as fashionable vacationers place larger emphasis on stability, mindfulness, and self-care. At SK Motels, we method wellness as an integral a part of the visitor expertise and as one thing that ought to really feel purposeful, accessible, and woven into the very cloth of every property.
To ship on this imaginative and prescient, our properties have partnered with Pravinia Wellness and Magnificence Middle, Sense Cera Spa, and Yumoto, bringing a various vary of wellness experiences to our motels. These partnerships permit us to tailor every providing to the distinctive character of the vacation spot, whereas nonetheless reflecting international traits in holistic wellbeing. For native residents, our wellness centres present an city sanctuary, a spot to unwind and rejuvenate near house. For worldwide vacationers, they provide a welcome second of calm amid a busy itinerary, with remedies starting from conventional therapies to fashionable spa rituals and health options.
Every house is designed with intention, permitting friends to both reconnect with themselves via restorative practices or to fully disconnect from the stresses of on a regular basis life. We acknowledge that wellness in the present day means various things to totally different folks, and we purpose to satisfy these wants in methods which can be considerate, regionally related, and persistently uplifting.
Alongside wellness, we’re additionally responding to a rising demand for versatile, purposeful workspaces as extra friends search to mix enterprise and leisure of their journey routines. Our motels are being thoughtfully tailored to assist this hybrid way of life, with communal areas reimagined as fashionable, productive environments that assist work with out sacrificing consolation or hospitality.
By partnerships with coworking platforms akin to Reef Rocks, an app that connects distant employees with welcoming areas, we’ve remodeled our lobbies and lounges into vibrant, linked work hubs. These areas are geared up with dependable high-speed web, ergonomic furnishings, accessible charging factors, and ambient design that encourages friends to remain so long as they want.
This evolution not solely enhances the visitor expertise but additionally permits us to activate areas which can be historically underutilized throughout sure components of the day. By creating environments the place friends and locals alike can work, meet, and calm down, we’re constructing motels that stay related in a world the place work now not matches a nine-to-five mannequin. Extra than simply locations to remain, our properties have gotten dynamic, multifunctional areas that assist how folks stay, work, and join each on the street and near house.
TDM: Inform us in regards to the Thailand centre of studying, monetary companies, recruitment, income, digital spine and operations assist that SK Motels has established?
Scott Walton: After we launched SK Motels within the aftermath of COVID, we had been met with the identical challenges dealing with the worldwide hospitality trade. Chief amongst these was a dramatic lack of expertise. Many expert professionals had left the sector altogether, some beginning small companies, others returning to their hometowns or pursuing new industries completely. To rebuild, we knew we needed to take a contemporary method, not simply to recruitment however to the long-term improvement of our folks and the programs that assist them.
The institution of a decentralized Centre for Studying marked a turning level. Slightly than chase the identical restricted pool of expertise, we selected to put money into people who might not have beforehand thought of hospitality. Faculty leavers, current graduates, and profession switchers had been introduced into the enterprise and given the construction, mentoring, and assist wanted to succeed. In simply three years, many of those people have turn out to be integral to our operations and are already progressing into management roles.
In parallel, our method to recruitment has continued to evolve. With conventional channels yielding diminishing returns, we’re at present constructing an intuitive, user-friendly careers platform inside our web site. This new system will make it simpler for candidates to discover alternatives, perceive our tradition, and apply based mostly on potential somewhat than simply prior expertise. We’re in search of mindset and perspective people who find themselves hungry to develop inside a fast-paced, agile setting.
Alongside expertise improvement, we’ve constructed a monetary companies platform that goes past the usual GOP focus typical of resort administration firms. Our finance crew operates with a transparent mandate: to prioritize investor returns and long-term worth. That is achieved via robust inner controls, audit-centric reporting, and streamlined processes designed for transparency and accountability. Our finance management, underneath Ms. Rapeepan Banyen (Khun Jay), has embedded a tradition of fiscal self-discipline whereas enabling operational flexibility. It’s this stability that provides our traders confidence and our resort groups readability.
Within the space of income technique, we’ve taken a hybrid method. Every of our motels is provided with instruments akin to IDeaS and Avalon, giving them dynamic pricing and forecasting capabilities tailor-made to their particular markets. These instruments are additional enhanced by the legacy information and programs introduced in from Kew Inexperienced Motels, whose affect has helped form our business course and method to demand optimization. Supported by a centralized business crew underneath Mrs. Tassanee Mangkala-apinun (Khun Pait), this hybrid mannequin permits every resort to reply regionally whereas being backed by broader market intelligence and strategic oversight.
Our digital and advertising operate has additionally turn out to be an important development engine. By a mix of structured digital technique and untapped artistic expertise – a few of whom we jokingly name “diamonds within the tough” – our advertising division has developed robust, narrative-led campaigns for every property. These are usually not generic resort adverts, however model tales that resonate with their goal audiences, crafted via the sensible use of AI, viewers analytics, and localized storytelling. The work has helped our properties stand out in a crowded digital market and has pushed measurable will increase in consciousness, conversion, and direct bookings.
Lastly, our IT infrastructure has been a foundational pillar from day one. The IT division has carried out sturdy programs throughout all properties, guaranteeing not solely performance however scalability as we develop. Each resort underneath SK Motels is provided with standardized {hardware} and software program from PMS and back-office programs to firewalls and IPTV options guaranteeing operational effectivity and knowledge safety. The IT crew additionally performs a proactive position in property assist, rolling out centralized updates, troubleshooting points remotely, and sustaining the cyber integrity of each guest-facing and inner platforms.
These departments – Studying, Finance, Income, Digital, and IT – are usually not working in silos. They’re built-in and aligned to assist SK Motels’ mission: to function effectively, innovate responsibly, and empower our folks to create distinctive visitor experiences. It’s a construction that places folks first, however does so on a spine of course of and precision, guaranteeing that as we develop, we achieve this sustainably and with confidence.
TDM: Clarify to us the position that know-how is taking within the ongoing development of SK Motels’ main proprietor Siamese Asset’s portfolio?
Scott Walton: Know-how sits on the core of SK Motels’ development and is deeply built-in into each Kew Inexperienced and Siamese Asset’s broader technique. From the outset, I used to be impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of Siamese Asset’s management, particularly their early embrace of sensible constructing applied sciences, AI, and sustainable development strategies. Likewise with Kew Inexperienced’s ever evolving distribution, analytics and visitor satisfaction initiatives – a mix that’s uncommon within the trade.
One standout instance of our dedication to know-how and wellbeing is the deployment of Siamese Air of Life, a proprietary air filtration system now put in in all visitor rooms throughout our new properties. This method has confirmed particularly worthwhile throughout the annual burn-off season, when air high quality in Bangkok and surrounding areas can deteriorate considerably. Friends are in a position to monitor each indoor and outside air high quality in actual time via a devoted app, whereas every room additionally includes a stay show of present air high quality readings. This stage of transparency and environmental management has not solely reassured friends, however has additionally turn out to be a compelling differentiator for our model companions and ESG-focused traders. It speaks to our dedication to visitor consolation, operational innovation, and sustainability in equal measure.
TDM: What thrilling issues can we count on from SK Motels sooner or later?
We’re getting into an thrilling new section of development. Along with increasing our city footprint, we’re exploring alternatives in additional distant locations throughout Thailand. In some instances, these properties might require robust model partnerships; in others, the vacation spot itself is likely to be the draw, permitting us to launch distinctive, unbiased resort ideas.
We’re additionally persevering with to develop strategic partnerships just like the one we’ve got with Siamese Asset. These alliances permit us to leverage our shared infrastructure – centralized finance, HR, IT, and business experience – decreasing prices and bettering efficiency on the property stage. Not like extra inflexible company constructions, our management works contained in the motels, for the motels. This ends in sooner decision-making, stronger crew assist, and in the end, higher visitor experiences.
On the coronary heart of our philosophy is a straightforward however highly effective mission: to function motels with a relentless concentrate on effectivity and excellence, empowering our folks to create distinctive visitor experiences. We emphasize transparency, sustainable development, and partnerships grounded in operational brilliance.
Above all, we imagine in frequent sense. It’s a worth that usually will get misplaced in over-complicated enterprise processes however one which persistently solves issues, enhances experiences, and strengthens relationships with friends, stakeholders, and our groups alike.
I’d prefer to share a current instance that highlights the sort of sensible intelligence and calm management we worth throughout our groups. It occurred throughout the fast aftermath of the March 28, 2025 Myanmar earthquake, a day of widespread disruption, uncertainty, and logistical chaos throughout Bangkok.
Amid the aftermath, one in every of our engineering crew members observed uncommon foot site visitors close to a little-used emergency exit that led right into a service hall, an space sometimes quiet and safe. Regardless of the calls for of the day and the overwhelming distractions dealing with each division, they selected to behave on intuition. They flagged the priority to administration, reviewed the CCTV footage, and found that an unauthorized third-party vendor had been utilizing the house to maneuver items with out supervision or correct clearance.
Whereas it may have been simple to miss or deprioritize given the broader disaster at hand, the crew dealt with it discreetly and decisively. Entry controls had been instantly strengthened, distributors had been re-briefed, and the breach was resolved with out disruption to friends or compromise to the property.
What stands out on this situation is using situational consciousness, frequent sense, and initiative, within the chaos of a real-world disaster. These are precisely the qualities we nurture at SK Motels: a tradition the place crew members are empowered to behave, to assume past checklists, and to guard each our friends and our model repute within the moments that matter most.
As we develop, this core perception in sensible intelligence and human connection will proceed to information each choice we make. At SK Motels, the long run isn’t nearly enlargement it’s about evolving well, sustainably, and with objective.
The publish SK Hotels’ Scott Walton talks new hotels and destinations coming up in Thailand, innovation and technology appeared first on Travel Daily Media.
