Minor Hotels announced the appointment of Patrik Ilstam as General Manager of Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort and Villas, a brand-new luxury resort with a collection of 148 rooms, suites and villas on Thailand’s island of Koh Yao Yai.
An experienced pre-opening hotelier, Patrik has held various senior management roles in international five-star hotels in Southeast Asia over the last twenty years. Most recently he served as the General Manager at Burasari Phuket Resort, where he steered the property through the challenges of the pandemic and initiated the ‘Green Committee’ to implement sustainable operational goals and procedures. His efforts earned the property the prestigious Green Hotel Gold Level award.
Patrik has a rich background in operations, having started his career in various rooms division roles with Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. He was also involved in several hotel and resort pre-opening operations, such as Sheraton Grand Danang Resort and Sheraton Hoi An Tam Ky, both in Vietnam; and Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.
“We are delighted to welcome Patrik to the Minor family and to our leadership team in the region. With his extensive experience, passion for service, and commitment to sustainability, we are confident that he will establish Anantara’s newest resort in Thailand as a preeminent destination for families and couples looking for a private island-style experience in a stunning natural setting only a 45-minute boat ride from Phuket,” said William Costley, Senior Vice President, Operations (Asia) for Minor Hotels.
“I am very excited to join Anantara Koh Yao Yai – a spectacular new signature resort with extensive luxury offerings, wellness facilities and never before seen family and children’s amenities on one of Thailand’s last untouched islands. I look forward to working together with the amazing team here to create memorable experiences for our guests and contribute to Thailand’s reputation as one of the world’s major tourism hubs,” Patrik added.
A Swedish national, Patrik is also fluent in Danish, Norwegian, English and Thai and holds a diploma from International Tourism & Hotel Management School (Thailand). In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing hobbies that range from aerospace technology to travel.