M Social Phuket, the stylish, social and free-spirited new lifestyle hotel from Millennium Hotels & Resorts, has announced the appointment of Pjey Mayandi, the award-winning hotelier and brand concept creator, as its General Manager. A fitness guru and former commissioned officer in the Singaporean armed forces, Pjey leads by example and guides his team with courage, skill and precision to create fresh and exciting experiences for every guest.
Pjey brings more than 18 years of expertise to this contemporary, design-led hotel, which opened its doors in late 2023. A Singaporean national, he spent several years inspiring his troops in the army before transferring his leadership skills to the hospitality sector, initially with Marriott’s luxury brands, where he was part of the dynamic team that managed the pre-opening of landmark Ritz-Carlton hotels in Hong Kong and Sanya, and the introduction of the exclusive EDITION concept to Istanbul.
In 2012, he returned home to Singapore to oversee the refurbishment of the acclaimed Naumi Hotel and achieved his first general manager’s role just two years later, as he guided the pre-opening of Naumi Liora, the stylish boutique hotel.
Having joined Millennium Hotels & Resorts in 2014, Pjey played a pivotal role in the development and curation of M Social, the vibrant lifestyle brand, and was selected as GM of M Social Singapore, its inaugural global hotel. He went on to enjoy successful spells as GM of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, M Hotel Singapore, and Studio M Singapore, the first and only hotel in Asia with a fully loft-inspired room concept.
Under his tenure as GM of Soneva Fushi, the sustainable luxury resort in the Maldives, Pjey was named as one of the “Top 100 Hotel General Managers” in the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2022, and the resort was ranked #7 on the “Worlds 50 Best Hotels” list in 2023.
Throughout his career, Pjey has demonstrated a commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining hospitality norms – an innovative spirit he now brings to Thailand’s first M Social hotel. Always striving to expand his professional knowledge and personal skillset, Pjey used the global pandemic productively by studying for a master’s degree (MBA) in business administration & management with Australia’s Murdoch University, which he achieved in August 2021.
Speaking about his influences, Pjey revealed that he is inspired by leaders who use their creativity to challenge the status quo. A strong believer in the benefits of physical health and fitness, he is a keen runner and practices yoga and meditation.
“I have been involved in the M Social project from the very beginning, when we were developing the brand with Millennium Hotels & Resorts in Singapore, so it is wonderful to see it come to life in Phuket – one of the world’s most dynamic resort destinations. This is an exciting new challenge and I look forward to working with our talented team to deliver original experiences that go beyond the everyday, spark our guests’ creative spirit and help every traveller to discover the best of Phuket and Patong Beach,” said Pjey Mayandi, General Manager, M Social Phuket.
Newly-opened in November 2023, M Social Phuket is the new flagship M Social hotel and the first designed by Philip Start. A vibrant lifestyle hotel and the first property on the island to integrate AI into every guestroom. Nestled in the heart of Patong, Phuket’s tourism and nightlife epicenter, just footsteps from the soft sandy beach and surrounded by bars, restaurants and boutiques, this innovative hotel features 418 rooms and suites in two wings (Sunkissed and Afterglow), plus a spa, gym, two outdoor pools, and two stylish restaurants: Beast & Butterflies, an inviting all-day venue that specializes in boat-to-table seafood and tropical tiki cocktails, and Bincho, a modern interpretation of a Japanese izakaya. The pool bars can host glittering parties and the ballroom sets the stage for glamorous gatherings and social get-togethers.
