Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas Appoints Stuart De San Nicolas as New General Manager
Koh Yao Yai, Phang Nga – 26 August 2025 – Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas has officially appointed Stuart De San Nicolas as its new General Manager. With an impressive background in leading luxury hotels worldwide, Stuart brings with him deep expertise in sales strategy and crafting unique guest experiences that will help elevate the resort into a truly global destination.
Born into a family of Spanish diplomats, Stuart had the opportunity to travel the world from a young age, immersing himself in diverse cultures and experiencing life in luxury hotels — sparking a lifelong passion for the art of hospitality. He began his studies in France and has since built over 30 years of experience, earning a reputation for excellence in both service and commercial performance with leading hospitality brands such as St. Regis and Conrad in exclusive destinations like Cannes and Bora Bora.
In 2023, Stuart joined Minor Hotels as Cluster General Manager overseeing Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Avani+ Fares Maldives, as well as properties under the NH and NH Collection brands. At Anantara Kihavah — consistently ranked among the world’s top resorts — he oversaw distinctive guest offerings such as underwater wine cellaring, astronomy experiences, and bespoke journeys tailored for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, while also leading strategic efforts in revenue generation and sales.
As General Manager of Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, Stuart now brings his visionary leadership to one of Thailand’s rising luxury travel destinations, recently named one of the “TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025”. Set on an expansive private beach stretching over one kilometer, the resort features all-suite and pool villa accommodations designed for ultimate privacy and seamless connection to curated experiences such as vintage sidecar adventures, private yacht excursions, and premium wellness programs. These offerings reflect Stuart’s core philosophy: “Every guest is a meaningful story, and every moment a unique, memorable experience.”
“Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas presents an incredibly exciting opportunity for anyone in the hospitality industry,” Stuart shared. “With its unique location on one of Thailand’s most stunning islands, exceptional accommodations and amenities, and a wide variety of land and sea experiences, I’m thrilled to join a team that has already achieved so much — and to help take our guest journeys to even greater heights.”
“Stuart has the rare ability to view luxury through both the eyes of the guest and the brand,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International. “His unique blend of intuitive service leadership and deep sales acumen is exactly what Anantara Koh Yao Yai needs as it steps onto the global stage. We look forward to seeing him craft a new chapter of extraordinary island luxury.”
