Capella Hotel Group has appointed Christian Westbeld as Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia.
Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, Westbeld brings 25 years of hospitality leadership experience across four continents, including food and beverage, hotel operations and senior management roles.
His career includes senior positions with Raffles Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, Beijing and Singapore, followed by senior operations leadership at MGM China’s large-scale integrated resorts.
He later returned to Raffles Singapore as General Manager in 2017.
Most recently, Westbeld served as Managing Director of Raffles Singapore, where he oversaw the hotel’s landmark restoration, relaunch and repositioning.
The project is regarded as one of the most significant heritage transformation projects in the region and wider hospitality industry.
His role also included responsibilities as Regional General Manager for Raffles Indonesia.
Westbeld now takes the helm at Capella Singapore, the brand’s flagship property, which opened in 2009.
Set across 30 acres of tropical grounds and rainforest on Sentosa Island, Capella Singapore blends restored colonial Tanah Merah heritage buildings from the 1800s with contemporary architecture by Norman Foster.
The property reflects a meeting of history, design and Capella’s hospitality philosophy.
Capella Singapore offers 113 rooms and suites, complemented by 10 private manors with plunge pools in both colonial and contemporary configurations.
The property also includes 81 serviced residences ranging from one-bedroom suites to three-bedroom duplexes, alongside food and beverage destinations and event spaces.
Recognised on Condé Nast Traveler’s 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 guest experience.
Westbeld’s leadership philosophy is rooted in people before process.
He takes a close interest in the individuals around him, whether guests or colleagues, and this approach has shaped how he has built teams and led properties throughout his career.
On the ground, this translates into a hands-on leadership style, with a strong presence across teams and operations, cultivating service and belonging centred on anticipating needs before they arise.
Roland Fasel, President of Capella Hotel Group, said: “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.”
The appointment strengthens Capella Hotel Group’s regional leadership in Southeast Asia, with Westbeld bringing extensive luxury hotel experience, heritage transformation expertise and a people-led approach to one of the brand’s most important properties.