Capella Hotel Group appoints new Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia

Hailing from Frankfurt, Germany, Christian Westbeld’s path into hospitality leadership spans 25 years across four continents including F&B and senior management roles at Raffles Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, Beijing and Singapore, followed by senior operations leadership at MGM China’s large scale integrated resorts, before returning to Raffles Singapore as General Manager in 2017.

Most recently, Westbeld served as Managing Director of Raffles Singapore, where he oversaw the landmark restoration, relaunch and repositioning of the hotel, considered one of the most significant heritage transformation projects in the region and industry. His role also included responsibilities as Regional General Manager Raffles Indonesia.

Westbeld now takes the helm at Capella Singapore, the brand’s flagship property which opened in 2009. Spread across 30 acres of lush grounds and tropical rainforest on Sentosa Island, the property blends restored colonial Tanah Merah heritage buildings from the 1800s with contemporary architecture by Norman Foster, reflecting a meeting of history with Capella’s design philosophy.

Its 113 rooms and suites are complemented by 10 private manors with plunge pools in both colonial and contemporary configurations, alongside 81 serviced residences ranging from one-bedroom suites to three-bedroom duplexes, landmark F&B destinations as well as event spaces. Recognised on Condé Nast Traveler‘s coveted Gold List this year and Forbes Five-Star rated for 14 consecutive years, Capella Singapore continues to stand as a benchmark for service quality, facility excellence and overall guest experience.

Westbeld’s leadership philosophy is rooted in people before process. He takes a genuine interest in the individuals around him, whether guests or colleagues, and this has shaped how he builds teams and leads properties over the years. On the ground that translates into a hands-on presence characterised by spending time with his teams and in the operation, cultivating service and belonging, centred on anticipating needs before they arise.

Roland Fasel, President, Capella Hotel Group, says, “It’s with pride that we welcome Christian to the Capella family. Christian brings a valuable combination of market knowledge, operational rigour and a deep understanding of the Capella brand. His roots in the Singapore market run deep, and the relationships he’s built across the industry are a true asset – but what sets him apart is his belief that hospitality is ultimately about people. That’s something we hold close at Capella. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter, and Capella Singapore is the perfect home for his talents as we continue to strengthen the synergy of the region.”

Mian image credit: Capella Hotel Group