Capella Appoints Seasoned Maybourne, Aman Veteran to Helm Ambitious Expansion

Capella Hotel Group announced on March 26, 2026, the appointment of Roland Fasel as President. This strategic hire positions Fasel to spearhead the luxury brand's global expansion, targeting a doubling in size over the next few years. The move comes as Capella prepares for its busiest period of new hotel openings.

Fasel's impressive resume includes a tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Maybourne Group, overseeing iconic properties like Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Berkeley in London. Prior to that, he was with Aman Resorts, where he contributed to their expansion in destinations including China, Japan, and New York. His track record encompasses successful hotel launches in diverse markets, from St. Moritz to Southeast Asia.

THP News reports that Evan Kwee, Capella Hotel Group's Vice Chairman, highlighted Fasel's unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise. Kwee emphasized the need for a leader who can both strengthen Capella's competitive standing and deepen its distinctive culture as the brand expands globally.

Capella Hotels are consistent recipients of top industry honors. Capella Singapore, for instance, celebrated its 14th consecutive five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide in early 2026. According to THP News, six of the group’s hotels — including those in Shanghai, Bangkok, Hanoi, Macau, the Maldives, and the Fari Islands — currently hold five-star status.

In addition to the eponymous Capella brand, the group is also developing Patina Hotels & Resorts, a second luxury brand focused on connection, wellbeing, and nourishment. Upcoming Patina properties include Patina Tianjin, with 150 rooms opening in autumn 2026, and Patina Sanya, a 200-room property slated for late 2029.

The Capella brand itself faces a busy 2026 with recent openings like Capella Sydney and the imminent launch of Capella Kyoto. Other properties under construction include Capella Maldives (57 rooms, due early 2027) and Capella Hotel Diriyah Gate in Saudi Arabia. China will see two new Capella hotels: Capella Hotel Nanjing (190 rooms, early 2027) and Capella Hotel Shenzhen Gemdale (late 2028). Europe will welcome Capella Florence by mid-2027.

Our take: Capella's aggressive expansion strategy, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, signals confidence in the ultra-luxury market's resilience. Bringing in a seasoned operator like Fasel suggests a focus not just on growth volume, but on maintaining the stringent operational excellence required to sustain Forbes Five-Star accolades across a burgeoning portfolio. This move is about scaling quality, not just quantity.