Deepak Ohri, founder and former CEO of Lebua Hotels & Resorts, has launched Luxury Atelier Maison Happiness (LAMH), a consulting and management company focused on enhancing the financial performance of luxury hotels and other hospitality properties by optimising revenue per available room (RevPAR).
Ohri, known for transforming Lebua Hotels into iconic destinations – such as bringing the Hangover team to shoot at its Bangkok sky bar – emphasises creating unique, memorable experiences over fleeting opulence.
“I believe in creating timeless experiences,” he said, adding that “while wealth can be surpassed, cherished experiences are lasting”.
This philosophy led to his success with events like the Million Baht Dinner hosted at Bangkok’s Lebua hotel in 2007, a US$30,000 – equivalent to US$44,000 today – per person 10-course feast that quickly went viral for its exclusivity and luxury.
Based in the US and Thailand, LAMH aims to bring Ohri’s expertise to a broader market.
“During Covid, luxury brands raised prices by 91 per cent, which indicated to me a gap in the market for sustainable, well-priced luxury,” he explained.
LAMH’s approach involves leveraging untapped revenue potential to enhance profitability through strategic pricing, compelling guest experiences and enhancing food and beverage offerings.
One of the strategies includes leveraging every hotel space to generate revenue without compromising guest comfort, integrating the hotel’s narrative into every element.
He noted: “A restaurant should blend seamlessly with the hotel’s architecture and story. It should create a cohesive, comfortable environment for guests.”
The firm also assists luxury hotels to launch new culinary concepts and experiences with custom designs using a strategy built around customer feedback, data analysis, and strategic actions to address issues that inhibit business growth for hotels.
Other innovative ideas include using under-utilised spaces, such as displaying and selling art or watches in corridors. This creative thinking extends to collaborations with high-profile partners and strategic marketing alliances.
To evaluate areas of potential, LAMH has partnered with Shiji’s integrated hospitality solutions, including property management software, point of sale, and guest intelligence platforms, for data analysis.
Knuepfer joins SHG from Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he served as area vice president and general manager.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali has named Go Kondo as its new general manager.
With over 25 years of extensive experience in luxury hospitality spanning across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe, he brings a wealth of knowledge and global experience to lead the team in his new role at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali.