Coming home to Bangkok

My introduction to the world of luxury and service started way back in 1996.

At only 21 years old, I found myself working at Dusit Thani Manila. Fresh out of school, armed with nothing but drive and curiosity, I walked into that iconic hotel’s lobby unaware that it would be the start of a lifelong relationship and attachment to hospitality, storytelling and legacy brands.

Working there taught me the value of service, elegance and grace under pressure. More importantly, it gave me a front-row seat to providing exceptional service to guests and shaped the person I would become.

Because of my early training at the hotel, I learned skills you can never learn in any Master in Business Administration (MBA) school such as how to carry myself in rooms far bigger than I ever imagined. I learned the art of diplomacy, the discipline of detail and the unspoken language of prestige.

It was not just a job: It was a masterclass in refinement, integrity and quiet power.

Laying the foundation

Everything I’ve built in my career, from founding my own company, to working with global celebrities and brands, traces back to those early days at the hotel. The foundation was laid there some 29 years back.

Nearly three decades later, I found myself walking through the doors of the all new Dusit Thani Bangkok, a visit that felt less like a hotel stay and more like a homecoming (I stayed at the original hotel back in 1997).

From the moment you step into the property, you can sense it: that signature warmth, an unmistakable blend of Thai hospitality and understated luxury. The newly opened hotel, part of the mixed-use Central Park development, honors its heritage while confidently looking toward the future. It is a space designed not just for travelers, but for tastemakers, creatives, entrepreneurs and legacy builders — people like me who appreciate both story and substance.

Hotel, heritage, homecoming

My Club Suite was a seamless mix of contemporary design and Thai influence. The view of Lumpini Park from my window was breathtaking. It was a rare oasis in the heart of one of Asia’s most vibrant cities. Every corner of the room, from the hand-picked decor to the intuitive technology, spoke of thoughtful curation. The hotel brand has always known how to make people feel seen and special, and this was no exception.

Dining was an experience. From an informal, fun Thai dinner at Baan (a short tuktuk drive away) to daily breakfast at my favorite Pavilion, every moment reminded me why the hotel brand has long stood at the intersection of tradition and innovation. The service? Impeccable. Attentive without being intrusive. Polished yet personal.

Beyond the facilities and world-class amenities, what moved me most was the feeling of a deep sense of continuity. Here I was, decades later, no longer a 21-year-old novice learning the ropes, but a guest being cared for by a new generation of hoteliers who carry the same passion and poise the way I was trained back in Manila.

As the world continues to evolve with the newest and the loudest, there is something quietly powerful about the hotel that continue to evolve with grace. They do not need to shout. They simply endure.

Returning to the Bangkok hotel was more than just a stay. It was a reminder of how far I have come and how the values instilled in me by the hotel’s “Way of Life” helped build everything I am today.