Stelliers on Tour: Hello, Kuala Lumpur

This week, the Stelliers team spent a few days in Kuala Lumpur as part of our wider regional tour, following the opening of applications for Stelliers Asia 2026, presented by NORDAQ.

Simon Hansson Yu, Managing Director of Stelliers, was in the city to reconnect with friends of Stelliers, meet new faces, and spend time with hoteliers across the hospitality community.

At the heart of these visits is a simple belief: hospitality is, first and foremost, about people. Behind every hotel are individuals and teams who lead, care, and show up every day for their guests and for one another. Taking the time to recognise and celebrate those efforts matters – not as an award for its own sake, but as a way of acknowledging commitment, leadership, and the impact people have on their teams and communities. This focus on people continues to guide Stelliers and why staying close to the industry remains so important to us.

(L-R) Daniel Burstein, General Manager at The Westin Kuala Lumpur and Simon Hansson Yu, Managing Director at Stelliers

Justin Lee, General Manager at EQ Kuala Lumpur

Linda Pecoraro, Former Stelliers Winner and Area General Manager – Malaysia Central North East at Hilton

Sharon Ang, General Manager at Else Retreats

Daniel P. Kaeflein, General Manager, and Shirley Hoo, Director of Marketing & Communications at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

(L-R) Simon Hansson Yu, Managing Director at Stelliers, and Matthew Everson, General Manager at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

(L-R)Ameer Ash, Former Stelliers Winner and Director of Training, and Volker Burth, General Manager at W Kuala Lumpur

Philipp Haupenthal, General Manager at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

Martin Schnider, General Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Paul Cunningham, General Manager at Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur

With only a short window of time in the city, we know we weren’t able to see everyone we had hoped to. Malaysia has a diverse and growing hospitality community, and this visit was very much a snapshot rather than a full picture. We’re grateful to everyone who made time to meet with us, shared their perspectives, and welcomed us so openly. We look forward to continuing these conversations when we return.

Kuala Lumpur was one stop among many on the road to Stelliers Asia 2026. Over the coming weeks, the Stelliers leadership team will continue travelling across the region – listening closely, learning, and staying connected to the people behind the hotels.

Thank you again to everyone we met in Kuala Lumpur. We hope to see many more of you next time.