Role Player 2022
~ Invitations for speakers now open ~
Ashley James Thomas
~ General Manager ~The Sea Princess Hotel
A seasoned Hotelier & General Manager with a progressive Luxury Hotel background spanning over two decades. He has had the opportunity to work and with some of the mostrenowned Hotel Companies globally in various International destinations. He started his hotel career as an operational trainee with the Sun International Hotel Group in South Africa, which is where he developed a serious passion for the Hospitality industry. Ever since he has worked with Hotel companies such as the Hyatt, Kempinski and also Soho House & Co. He is currently the General Manager of the Sea Princess Hotel in Juhu- Mumbai. .
After returning from his training in South Africa to India – he got an opportunity to start his career with the Hyatt Regency New Delhi as a Guest Service Officer. Two years later he was transferred by the Hyatt group to join the pre-opening team of the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. This is where he spent the next 8 years growing through the ranks and holding multiple positions with the company. He then decided to return to India and joined the Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore where he spent the next 3 years gaining a reputation in the Indian Market. He then moved to Goa and held his first General Manager position at the age of 35 as he helped rebrand the Sofala hotel into Sol De Goa. His reputation grew as the hotel received many accolades and recognitions from Conde Nast Traveller and the hotel won the Times Food and Nightlife Awards for 3 consecutive years under his leadership.
His reputation then caught the eye of Soho House & Co as they offered him a position as Hotel Manager of their pre-opening team for their first house in Asia. During his time with Soho House Mumbai, he was also sent to London UK as Task Force to help open the White City House in West London. The White City house was inaugurated by Prince Charles the Prince of Wales in early 2018.
During the Pandemic in 2020 - he was given the opportunity to re-open the Sea Princess Hotel as General Manager and is currently with them. He has since steered the Hotel through the tough situations caused by the pandemic over the past 2 years.
After returning from his training in South Africa to India – he got an opportunity to start his career with the Hyatt Regency New Delhi as a Guest Service Officer. Two years later he was transferred by the Hyatt group to join the pre-opening team of the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. This is where he spent the next 8 years growing through the ranks and holding multiple positions with the company. He then decided to return to India and joined the Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore where he spent the next 3 years gaining a reputation in the Indian Market. He then moved to Goa and held his first General Manager position at the age of 35 as he helped rebrand the Sofala hotel into Sol De Goa. His reputation grew as the hotel received many accolades and recognitions from Conde Nast Traveller and the hotel won the Times Food and Nightlife Awards for 3 consecutive years under his leadership.
His reputation then caught the eye of Soho House & Co as they offered him a position as Hotel Manager of their pre-opening team for their first house in Asia. During his time with Soho House Mumbai, he was also sent to London UK as Task Force to help open the White City House in West London. The White City house was inaugurated by Prince Charles the Prince of Wales in early 2018.
During the Pandemic in 2020 - he was given the opportunity to re-open the Sea Princess Hotel as General Manager and is currently with them. He has since steered the Hotel through the tough situations caused by the pandemic over the past 2 years.
