Nicolas Pillet has been named General Manager at Eastern & Oriental Express in Bankok, Thailand.

　　Nicolas Pillet has been named General Manager at Eastern & Oriental Express in Bankok, Thailand.

　　Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. has appointed Nicolas Pillet as General Manager of the Eastern & Oriental Express, South-East Asia’s only luxury sleeper train. Pillet, a long-term employee of Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., has joined the Eastern & Oriental Express having been General Manager at Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali for the past eight years. During his time in Bali, Pillet’s contribution has been invaluable, putting the hotel on the map as one of the best hotels on the island, in particular, integrating aspects of the local community into the hotel’s daily life, creating memorable experiences for its many discerning guests. Prior to his time in Bali, Pillet successfully opened another Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. property, La Residence Phou Vao in Laos, in 2002.

　　He began his career in hospitality in 1991 and was Executive Chef at another of the company’s properties in Bali, Jimbaran Puri Bali. Based in Bangkok, Pillet will oversee all areas of the train, working closely with Train Managers to ensure high standards are maintained throughout each trip. This includes the Classic routes between Bangkok and Singapore and vice versa, as well as the longer Chronicles of South-East Asia journeys that depart throughout the year. As General Manager, he will manage the dedicated onboard team and report into Gary Franklin, Managing Director, Trains and Cruises, front running new and creative ideas to raise the profile of Asia’s most famous train and making sure targets are met.