Duncan Palmer Appointed General Manager of The Sukhothai Bangkok

Beaufort Hotels, which owns and manages the elegant and stylish Sukhothai Bangkok has announced the appointment of Duncan Palmer as the hotel’s new General Manager. The appointment is effective from September 9, 2002.

This marks the return of Duncan Palmer, one of Asia’s best-known hoteliers, to the region after an absence of seven years, during which he managed two of Europe’s most legendary hotels for The Savoy Group – first The Savoy and then The Connaught. Prior to this appointment he spent twelve years in senior management roles with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group at The Mandarin Oriental Macau, Mandarin Oriental Manila, Oriental Bangkok and Mandarin Oriental Jakarta.

“We are delighted to welcome Duncan Palmer to take The Sukhothai Bangkok through this important stage when the hotel is about to open its top new restaurant and build one of Asia’s most innovative spas such that it will be truly perceived as Bangkok’s best and one of the world’s finest hotels,” said T M Cheung, a director of Beaufort Hotels. 

In the ten years since its opening, the stylish 224-room Sukhothai Bangkok has become a firm favourite with discerning travellers to Bangkok who appreciate its stylish interiors which take their inspiration from Thailand’s first capital, Sukhothai; its beautifully landscaped gardens, and of course its impeccable service. It is frequently cited in surveys and reviews of the world’s best hotels, and was this month lauded in the “editor’s choice” section of the prestigious US Travel & Leisure magazine in its annual Readers Choice Awards 2002.

In October 2002, a stylish new Italian restaurant La Scala is scheduled to be opened and before the end of this year extensive renovation to the hotel’s Terrace Wing will have been completed. By the end of next year, the hotel’s spacious landscaped grounds will have increased in size by another third to accommodate Spa Botanica, a unique new spa concept developed by Beaufort Hotels, which features extensive spa facilities and treatments in a delightful tropical garden setting. 

“I am delighted to be back in Asia once again and at the helm of this fantastic property which is undoubtedly one of the finest and most stylish hotels in the region,” said Duncan Palmer.

The Sukhothai Bangkok is wholly owned and managed by Beaufort Hotels, the hotel group of Hong Kong-based developer HKR International. Beaufort Hotels also owns and operates The Beaufort Singapore, a resort and conference centre on Singapore’s tropical resort isle of Sentosa, and Spa Botanica, a new garden spa concept which is currently under development and will be launched at The Beaufort Singapore by the end of 2002.