Cover The Best in Class Awards Gala on November 25
The Best in Class Awards Gala on November 25
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Spotlighting the region’s brightest talents and most exceptional establishments through awards, talks and immersive experiences
In late November 2024, Bangkok became the beating heart of Asian hospitality as the Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel hosted the inaugural Tatler Best of Asia. The awards, taking place over two days, brought together more than 800 industry professionals, from hospitality leaders to cultural icons and tastemakers, to honour the region’s exceptional contributions to the industry. The events also included immersive experiences, panel talks and VIP dinners.
The first evening, on November 24, set the tone with the unveiling of the Tatler Best 100, a definitive showcase of Asia’s most outstanding hotels, restaurants and bars. The awards were presented by the three jury co-chairs: Tatler Asia’s chief experience officer Sean Fitzpatrick, regional head of dining Andy Cheng, and Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and founder of content creation agency Beautiful Destinations, alongside Tatler Thailand’s managing director Apinya Dolan.
See also: How the Tatler Best of Asia Takeover Series shines a light on Asia’s greatest talents
Vietrio kicks off Tatler Best 100 unveiling
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The awards results were safeguarded in style, tucked inside Tumi 19 Degree Aluminum Minaudières, the lead partner’s striking cases, designed in three distinctive finishes: black for bars, blush pink for restaurants and silver for hotels, ensuring a seamless and polished presentation.
Setting the tone for the evening was a stirring performance by Dr Akkrawat “Paye” Srinarong, director of the Thai Youth Orchestra and violinist of the band Vietrio, who was joined his by siblings, cellist and vocalist Kanyapas “Parn” Srinarong and violinist Ariya “Pui” Srinarong. The energy lifted further when Thai star Kanawut “Gulf ” Traipipattanapong delivered a captivating rendition of his hit Congratulations, striking the perfect celebratory note.
Tatler Best 100 hotels, restaurants and bars
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The day culminated in an exclusive after-party dinner, attended by sponsors, global ambassadors and key opinion leaders, including Jauncey and actress and former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, as well as content creators Ewa and Jeromy Ko of Nom Life, and Singapore-based internet personality Willabelle Ong. Guests enjoyed a relaxed yet sophisticated setting, where conversations about the future of hospitality flowed as freely as the champagne that was poured.
During the two days, guests were invited to delve into The Macallan Mastery Experiences, an immersive journey into the craftsmanship behind one of the world’s most recognisable whisky brands. Attendees explored the intricate aromas and flavours of The Macallan Double Cask Collection, highlighting the meticulous artistry perfected over 200 years.
Tumi 19 Degree Aluminum Minaudières
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On November 25, the spotlight shifted to the Best in Class Awards Gala, a black-tie affair where the crème de la crème of Asian hospitality was recognised. Awards were once again presented by Fitzpatrick, along with Tatler Asia’s COO Parminder Singh, shining a light on establishments and individuals setting global benchmarks. Thai singer and songwriter Violette Wautier also charmed the audience with a soulful performance at the gala dinner.
The gala dinner menu was a masterpiece of collaboration, crafted by Thailand’s culinary heavyweights—chefs Chumpol Jangprai of R-Haan, Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Le Du, Pichaya “Pam” Utharntharm of Potong and Bic Phattharaphon of Dusit Thani Bangkok, delivering an unforgettable dining experience.
Tatler Best In Class awardees
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Among the night’s top honourees were Rosewood Hong Kong, crowned Hotel of the Year for its seamless blend of urban sophistication and peerless service; Wing, led by the innovative Vicky Cheng, named Restaurant of the Year for redefining modern Chinese fine dining; and Japan’s Bar Benfiddich, where the artistry of Hiroyasu Kayama earned it Bar of the Year.
The Legacy Awards sponsored by The Macallan celebrated trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on their industries, honouring Chumpol Jangprai for his dedication to preserving and elevating traditional Thai cuisine, and Shatbhi Basu, India’s first female bartender, for her pioneering contributions to the bar industry.
Emerging talents took centre stage, too. Japan’s Wakana Murata was recognised for her transformative contributions to mixology, while Joris Rousseau of Feuille in Hong Kong was honoured as a Rising Star for his plant-forward culinary ingenuity. These awards underscored the new wave of creativity shaping Asia’s future in hospitality.
Imran Amed and Jeremy Jauncey at the Tatler Best Talks
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Beyond the awards, the Tatler Best Talks, held earlier that afternoon, brought together visionaries to explore key industry trends. Panels included topics such as Thailand’s emergence as a global travel hub and the growing importance of food and beverage concepts in hotels. Highlights included a content masterclass by Jauncey and a conversation between Jauncey and Imran Amed, founder of The Business of Fashion website, on the intersection of fashion, luxury and hospitality. These discussions offered invaluable insights into how Asia continues to shape the future of the industry.
Violette Wautier at the gala dinner
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During the gala, Fitzpatrick noted, “The establishments we honour don’t just set standards— they redefine them.” This sentiment echoed throughout the event, which celebrated not only the excellence of the winners but also the creativity, passion and innovation that have cemented Asia’s position as a global leader in hospitality.
As the curtains closed, one thing was clear: when it comes to shaping the future of luxury and innovation, all eyes are on Asia.
Tatler Best of Asia 2024 was made possible with the support of Tumi, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Mastercard, The Macallan, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Jagota and Panpuri.
Credits
Photography: Boobyanut, Kla, Natsapon, O, Phufa, Pui, Suravit, Supasuk, Worapon, and Zed Leets
A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
