Christian Jaquier, Capella Ubud

In this episode of Where2From Here, we travel to the heart of Bali’s rainforest to explore one of the world’s most extraordinary luxury stays. Host Renae Leith-Manos sits down with Christian Jaquier, General Manager of Capella Ubud, a tented retreat unlike anything else in the world. Designed by visionary architect Bill Bensley, Capella Ubud is more than a hotel. It’s a fully immersive experience grounded in storytelling, sustainability, and a deep respect for nature. Built without cutting down a single tree, the property reflects a new kind of ultra-luxury that feels intimate, culturally connected, and deeply considered. Drawing on his global career across Europe, Asia, and the United States, Christian shares what truly defines modern luxury hospitality today. From hiring for emotional intelligence over technical skill, to creating meaningful guest relationships that last decades, his perspective offers a rare look behind the scenes. The conversation also explores the future of luxury travel in Southeast Asia, the growing demand for experiential, nature-led destinations, and why Indonesia, with its 17,000+ islands, may hold the next frontier of discovery beyond Bali. If you’ve ever wondered what sets truly exceptional hotels apart, or where luxury travel is heading next, this episode offers a thoughtful and insider perspective from one of the industry’s leading voices. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:50 The world’s best hotel brand (3x) 03:10 Capella: People, culture, and connection 04:40 The vision of Bill Bensley’s design 06:00 Why no trees were cut down at Capella Ubud 07:20 Luxury redefined 08:50 Indonesia beyond Bali 10:50 The future of Capella 12:40 Hiring for character, not just skill 14:10 Life in luxury hospitality 15:50 Guest stories and lifelong connections 17:30 How luxury travel has evolved in Southeast Asia 19:10 The rise of cultural immersion and hyper-local experiences 20:40 Hidden gems in Bali 22:20 Emerging destinations in Indonesia 24:00 Personal reflections 27:10 Where2FromHere, Christian? -- Subscribe above to this YouTube Channel, Where2FromHere for the best and latest regular luxury travel updates. For collaborations, contact us at: [email protected] Host: Renae Leith-Manos Editor: M. Dzariyat Content Writer: Tiasani Sundari Graphic & Design: Grace For more luxury travel go to: www.renaesworld.com.au For more on Capella Ubud go to: https://capellahotels.com/en/capella-... Check out our luxury travel instagram: @renaesworldofficial For Luxury Hotel Consulting: www.luxuryhotelconsulting.com Watch every episode with spectacular visuals from some of the world’s best and most luxurious hotels over on Renae’s YouTube channel, “Renae’s World, Where2FromHere”.