INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Welcomes Spanish Chef de Cuisine
Thailand’s first INNSiDE by Meliá hotel has appointed Juan Ignacio García Racionero, who has honed his craft in some of Spain’s finest kitchens, as Spanish chef de cuisine.
The Madrid-born chef joins INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, that debuted in July 2023 in Bangkok’s On Nut neighborhood, after working at one Michelin-starred Saddle as well as Diverxo, recognized in the top three ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ in 2023, and acclaimed restaurants El Jardin De La Marquina and Montellen.
His decade-long experience as a chef includes stints at restaurants Puerta 57, Café Pino, Restaurante La Chans and Rios De Luz. He has also worked at hotels and in catering, including with Morlans Hotels and Globales Don Pedro in Mallorca, and Curcuma Catering and Events.
As part of his studies with the Pérez Valladolid International Cooking School in Valladolid and Madrid’s hotel management school Le Cordon Bleu, he interned extensively at Montellen and Saddle restaurants respectively.
In his new role, Racionero has taken charge of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s signature LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, on the hotel’s two uppermost floors, the 34th and 33rd floors, where every seat is an opportunity to embark on a culinary pilgrimage across Spain.
“Since I was on vacation in Thailand with my mother many years ago, I have not stopped thinking about one day working and living here in Bangkok as the culture is fascinating,” he said. “It’s an honor to share my passion for Spanish cuisine, an extraordinary cuisine, at LUZ by giving it a special, differentiating touch that comes from a very personal place.”
“Through his rich and varied experience at remarkable restaurants in his native Spain, as well as with hotels and in catering, Juan is an all-rounder and the obvious choice to take our diners at LUZ on a culinary journey through Spain’s different regions … as they also take a front-row seat to Bangkok’s compelling skyline,” added the hotel’s general manager Aarron Nelson.
In addition to LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, the hotel’s dining landscape features all-day Thai dining restaurant The Kites Eatery, The Giant Swing Pool Bar on the 34th floor, and café and lobby bar The Open Living Lounge that’s integrated into the hotel’s 32nd floor coworking space. INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit joins a collection of unique urban and beach hotels in 14 different countries designed for those with curious minds who cultivate a fluid lifestyle when it comes to work and leisure.
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company according to S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024, as well as being a “Top Employer 2024” brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35.
About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.
INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.
Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.
There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam) .
