IPOH, MALAYSIA, 28 July 2026 – Sunway Hospitality Group has appointed Lisa Jackson as the new General Manager of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, placing an experienced international hospitality executive at the helm of one of Malaysia's most recognized luxury wellness resorts. The appointment, announced by Sunway Hospitality Group on July 28, 2026, brings more than two decades of luxury resort leadership across Africa and Asia to the Ipoh-based property, as the company continues developing the resort's operational capabilities and international market positioning.
Located among the limestone hills and natural geothermal hot springs of Ipoh, Malaysia, The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat has established itself as a flagship wellness destination within Sunway Hospitality Group's portfolio. As a member of GHA Discovery, the hospitality group has selected Jackson to oversee the next stage of the property's development, with responsibilities spanning operational performance, guest experience, commercial execution, and long-term business growth.
Jackson joins the resort with a career that combines commercial leadership and operational management across multiple luxury hospitality markets. Her hospitality career began in South Africa, where she worked as a Revenue Manager and developed expertise in revenue optimization, market analysis, and commercial strategy. During the early stages of her career, she built experience interpreting market trends, implementing revenue strategies, and improving resort performance through data-driven operational planning.
Her international leadership experience expanded significantly after joining Minor Hotels in 2018. She was appointed Cluster Director of Revenue Management for three luxury resorts located in Zambia and Mozambique, where she managed commercial performance across multiple properties. During this period, Jackson introduced personalized VIP services designed to enhance guest satisfaction while also contributing to increased revenue performance, demonstrating an approach that aligned service delivery with commercial objectives.
Her performance within Minor Hotels led to successive leadership appointments. In 2021, she was promoted to Hotel Manager before securing her first General Manager position in 2023 at Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar, a 15-villa ultra-luxury retreat within the Minor Hotels portfolio. During her tenure, she led a resort refurbishment project while expanding wellness programs and strengthening the property's personalized butler service. These initiatives contributed to improvements in the resort's overall performance while reinforcing its luxury positioning.
Before joining Sunway Hospitality Group, Jackson relocated to Malaysia to serve as Resort Manager at the 117-key Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. The role added direct operational experience within the Malaysian hospitality market, providing familiarity with the country's luxury resort landscape before assuming leadership of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat.
Her appointment represents another leadership transition centered on operational continuity and commercial development within Malaysia's luxury hospitality sector. With experience spanning revenue management, hotel operations, resort leadership, and guest experience, Jackson's career progression reflects an executive profile that combines financial oversight with operational execution across multiple international destinations.
At The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Jackson will oversee one of Malaysia's highest-profile luxury wellness resorts. The property recently secured recognition as Malaysia's No. 1 Best Hotel Spa in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, marking the third consecutive year it has received the distinction. The resort was also recognized as Malaysia's No. 2 Best Beach, Island & Upcountry Resort during the same awards program.
The property's positioning extends beyond traditional luxury accommodation into wellness and experiential hospitality. Situated across 22.7 acres, the retreat integrates natural geothermal hot springs, ancient limestone formations, forest trails, private pool villas, and secluded caverns into its guest offering. The resort also includes Jeff's Cellar, a fine dining restaurant located within a naturally illuminated limestone cave, further differentiating its hospitality experience within Malaysia's luxury tourism sector.
Jackson described the appointment as an opportunity to lead a property that combines wellness, nature, and luxury hospitality. She highlighted her professional interest in wellness experiences and noted the increasing demand among luxury travelers for destinations that provide opportunities to reconnect with nature through distinctive hospitality offerings. She also emphasized her intention to work with the resort team in delivering guest experiences centered on wellness, culinary tourism, and romantic escapes.
From a business perspective, the appointment places emphasis on leadership continuity as luxury wellness hospitality continues evolving into a competitive segment within regional tourism. Jackson's background in revenue optimization, operational management, property enhancement, and luxury guest experience provides experience across multiple business functions that influence resort performance, from commercial planning through day-to-day operations.
Sunway Hospitality Group also positioned the appointment within its broader organizational strategy. Alex Castaldi, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Hospitality Group, said Jackson's professional progression reflects strengths across commercial leadership, operational management, service excellence, and team development. He added that her leadership experience aligns with the company's objectives for The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat as it enters its next phase of development.
Castaldi also noted that The Banjaran has already established a strong reputation among Malaysia's luxury resorts. Under Jackson's leadership, the company expects the property to continue pursuing sustainable growth while strengthening its international recognition within the luxury wellness hospitality market.
The appointment illustrates how hospitality companies continue investing in experienced executive leadership as luxury resort portfolios compete through operational excellence, differentiated guest experiences, and international brand positioning. Jackson's background across multiple continents, combined with experience leading luxury properties through commercial and operational initiatives, adds leadership expertise to one of Malaysia's established wellness destinations.
For Sunway Hospitality Group, the leadership transition comes as The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat builds on recent industry recognition while maintaining its position within the luxury wellness segment. By appointing an executive whose career spans revenue management, operational leadership, property enhancement, and resort management across Africa and Asia, the company reinforces its focus on long-term business development, operational performance, and international market visibility for one of its flagship hospitality assets.