Sukosol Hotel dynasty heir Krissada Sukosol Clapp has never lived a conventional life
The Siam in Bangkok, Pentahotels in Beijing and London's Town Hall Hotel are winning fans -and awards - as they cater to the design-savvy traveller seeking a unique holiday experience. Divia Harilela catches up with the three young Asian hoteliers behind the über-cool properties
Going from rock star and actor to hotelier is an odd change of course, but Krissada Sukosol Clapp has never lived a conventional life. As one of the heirs to Thailand's famed Sukosol Hotel dynasty, the 41-year-old entrepreneur studied anthropology at Boston University before embarking on a successful as lead vocalist of award-winning Thai rock band, Pru. He is also an accomplished actor (film credits include The Adventure of Iron Pussy, Bangkok Loco and 13 Beloved).
Clapp was one of four children, and his parents encouraged him to follow his heart. But after a decade in music, he decided to take up the family trade. That was six years ago.
"I took too long to join the family business. My mum always encouraged me to pursue my passions. I was into the arts and she was proud. For more than a decade that was my identity, but I felt guilty for not helping the family business," he says.
It was a visit to an untouched piece of land on the river banks of old Bangkok that ignited Clapp's interest in hotels. A lover of 1920s antiques and interior design, he saw the potential for a unique luxury hotel. "I wanted a hotel that would transport guests back in time. I was going to call the hotel The Siam," he says.
As one of the last in the family to join the hotel business, he faced a new set of challenges. "Building a hotel requires a proper flow of process and constant communication. These aren't my strengths, and I did my best to adapt. The responsibility was huge because building a hotel is more expensive than making an album or a movie," he jokes.
The Siam took three years to develop with construction beginning in 2009. Clapp's idea was to create an intimate hotel that felt like a private home with beautiful pieces of art and design that embodied the best of Thai culture. "I've grown up in hotels, but The Siam was something different from our other properties. You're building a world, hopefully like no other, where people can escape to. But the most important thing is you've got to capture that soul. That's not easy because it's the intangible you're after. No hotel wants to be a one-hit wonder.
"Being humble and down to earth are part of the Thai culture, and I hope The Siam and all Sukosol Hotels reflect such traits. We cater to people who enjoy art, to people looking for a getaway while remaining in the city."
Throughout the property are art works and photographs showcasing Siamese life and history with many pieces taken from the family's personal collections including Thai theatre tickets and playbills from the 1940s and 1930s and Thai boxing photographs.
"We believe in putting the art in business - that will always be in our DNA. There aren't too many business owners who'd build just 39 rooms on prime river-front land in the city. It almost doesn't make business sense, but it is the path we took," says Clapp.