Interview: Hospitality's rising star

Trade Arabia

05-02-2025

Capella Hotel Group is on track to bring its unique interpretation of luxury hospitality to the Middle East, with the grand debut of Capella Diriyah, Riyadh next year.
Opening further down the line and announced just last summer, is another Capella in Saudi Arabia, a wellness offering on the Gulf of Aqaba coast in Magna, NEOM.
Next in line for the group could be a Capella in the UAE and another property on a natural, private island in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea – details of which are yet to confirmed.
Based in Singapore, Capella Hotel Group has two brands under its portfolio. The award-winning Capella Hotels and Resorts, renowned for its service excellence, crafted luxury design and immersive experiences celebrating the locale, and Patina Hotels & Resorts, the group's sophisticated lifestyle brand, designed for progressive travellers with a creative mindset and penchant for sustainability.
'After a very successful and rewarding 2024, we are entering into 2025 with news of further expansion – with openings planned under our Capella banner in Taipei (next month), Macau (Q2) and Kyoto (Q4), and under our Patina banner in Osaka (April),' Christiano Rinaldi, President of Capella Hotel Group, tells TTN in an interview.
This growth in the Far East, which sees the portfolio expanding from 8 hotels to 12, is underscored by a distinct design-led approach, as the four new properties boasts collaborations with world-renowned architects and designers who share the group's vision of bridging heritage with contemporary luxury.
If you compete on hardware, there will always be someone who can do better than you
– Christiano Rinaldi
Despite the obvious focus on design and architecture in all Capella properties, there is an ongoing emphasis on experience over product.
'If you compete on hardware (the physical manifestations of luxury), there will always be someone who can do better than you.'
Rinaldi says: 'I think the way forward for luxury brands will be to build ecosystems. If you follow the example of luxury fashion brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton, who are now opening restaurants and making streetwear in partnership with American popstar Pharrell Williams – it is clear they want to surround you in a 360-degree ecosystem – you're with them whether you're eating risotto or wearing jeans. They're trying to build an emotional connection with you.
'With Capella, however, it will always be about experiences. For us, it's about having someone like yourself come to Hanoi and leave Vietnam just a little bit more enriched about the culture, the history, feeling more connected to Hanoi, having met someone that did a Vietnamese coffee for you, that introduced you to the specific dish, and the memory of that is worth more than any truffle risotto,' says Rinaldi.
CAPELLA DIRIYAH
'We are very excited about Saudi Arabia,' said Rinaldi. 'Nestled within the Diriyah project, a vast cultural and heritage development north of Riyadh, Capella Diriyah is set to become a landmark of luxury hospitality.'
The hotel occupies a prime location overlooking Wadi Hanifah, a vital conservation area, and sits adjacent to the historical wall of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Designed to reflect the region's rich cultural heritage, Capella Diriyah seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with traditional Najdi architecture. The hotel will feature 100 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each telling the story of Saudi Arabia's past. The opulent Royal Suite, boasting a star-gazing sky window, will be a highlight. Guests can also enjoy a rooftop swimming pool with relaxation pavilions offering breathtaking views of At-Turaif.
Beyond luxurious accommodation, Capella Diriyah will offer a range of exceptional experiences. A dedicated wellness centre will feature a hammam and a flotation room, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the meditative flow of Arabian wellness traditions. The hotel will also boast a diverse culinary scene, with restaurants serving Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine alongside a charming patisserie.
CAPELLA ELANAN
Capella Hotel Group also announced its first coastal destination in Saudi Arabia, set within NEOM at Elanan, one of Magna's destinations along the Gulf of Aqaba coast. The resort will open an exclusive wellness retreat as part of the sustainable development unfolding in northwest Saudi Arabia.
Nestled amidst a lush oasis, the resort will feature 80 bespoke rooms and suites, offering guests a tranquil escape where contemporary design meets the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding desert mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba coastline.
Capella's renowned commitment to wellness will be a cornerstone of the resort experience. Guests can expect an extensive menu of treatments inspired by authentic Arabian wellness practices, with each experience tailored to individual needs.
The resort's design, featuring interlocking geometric shapes, reflects the surrounding landscape and evokes a sense of harmony with nature. Guests will be invited to explore expansive plazas, unwind in sun-kissed gardens, and marvel at the breathtaking views from the observation tower.
'Combining Saudi Arabia's breathtaking natural landscapes with NEOM's innovative technology, we are poised to provide guests with an unparalleled wellness experience that promises delight and discovery. This sanctuary will elevate Capella Hotels and Resorts' esteemed wellness offering, featuring a curated series of exciting programmes,' Rinaldi said.