Phu Quoc, Vietnam | Hospitality Leadership
Rixos Phu Quoc Vietnam has appointed Stefano Capaccetti as General Manager, bringing an experienced hospitality leader to the helm as the highly anticipated resort enters its pre-opening phase on Hon Thom Island.
Capaccetti brings more than 15 years of experience with Rixos Hotels, along with an international career spanning hotel openings, resort operations, strategic projects, and senior leadership positions across several markets. His appointment comes at an important moment for the brand as Rixos prepares to make its debut in Southeast Asia.
A 15-Year Journey with Rixos
Capaccetti’s career with Rixos has taken him through a diverse range of hospitality environments, giving him extensive experience in both established operations and complex pre-opening projects.
Over the past 15 years, he has contributed to property openings, operational development, resort management, and strategic initiatives across the Rixos portfolio. This experience has provided him with a deep understanding of the brand’s operating philosophy and the challenges involved in managing large-scale hospitality destinations.
As General Manager of Rixos Phu Quoc, Capaccetti will oversee the resort’s operational preparations, team development, service standards, and guest experience as the property moves toward its official opening.
Leadership at Rixos Qetaifan North
Before taking on his new role in Vietnam, Capaccetti served as General Manager of Rixos Qetaifan North in Doha, Qatar.
One of the key milestones of his tenure was leading the resort through its opening ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The period presented an exceptionally demanding environment for Qatar’s hospitality industry, with the country preparing to welcome visitors from around the world.
Successfully launching and operating a resort during such a high-profile international event required detailed planning, effective team building, operational coordination, and a strong focus on guest satisfaction.
That experience will be particularly valuable as Capaccetti prepares to lead another major resort opening with Rixos Phu Quoc.
Experience Across the Rixos Portfolio
Capaccetti has held several senior positions across the Rixos organization, building experience that extends well beyond individual hotel operations.
Before becoming General Manager at Rixos Qetaifan North, he served as Special Project Manager in the Rixos Group President’s Office in Dubai. The position gave him exposure to strategic projects and initiatives across the wider organization.
His previous leadership roles include General Manager of Rixos Premium Dubai Jumeirah Beach Residence, where he was responsible for overseeing operations in one of Dubai’s competitive luxury hospitality markets.
Earlier in his Rixos career, Capaccetti held leadership responsibilities at The Land of Legends Theme Park in Antalya and managed a cluster of properties that included Rixos President Astana and Rixos Borovoe in Kazakhstan.
This varied background has given him experience across luxury resorts, city hotels, entertainment destinations, and multi-property operations.
A Strong Foundation Before Rixos
While much of Capaccetti’s career has been closely associated with Rixos, his hospitality experience began well before joining the group.
He previously held operational positions with Rezidor, including experience at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Dubrovnik Sun Gardens. He later moved into senior operational roles with Hilton, serving as Director of Operations at Hilton Glasgow and Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik.
At Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Capaccetti was involved in the hotel’s opening, adding another important pre-opening experience to his professional background.
Earlier in his career, he also worked as Food & Beverage Manager during the opening of Hilton Rome Airport. This early exposure to hotel launches helped establish a foundation in the complex operational demands involved in bringing a new property to life.
Leading a Major New Resort in Vietnam
Rixos Phu Quoc is set to become one of the brand’s major resort developments, with the planned property expected to feature approximately 1,500 rooms and 24 restaurants and bars.
A resort of this scale requires careful coordination across virtually every area of hospitality, from accommodation and food and beverage to guest services, entertainment, recreation, and overall resort operations.
For Capaccetti, the pre-opening role will therefore involve much more than simply preparing the property for its first guests.
Recruiting and developing the right team, establishing operating procedures, implementing service standards, coordinating departments, and creating a consistent guest journey will all be central to the resort’s preparations.
Rixos Makes Its Southeast Asian Debut
The opening of Rixos Phu Quoc carries particular significance for the international hospitality group as it marks the Rixos brand’s entry into Southeast Asia.
Located off the southern coast of Vietnam, Phu Quoc has grown into one of the country’s leading leisure destinations, attracting international travellers as well as increasing interest from global hotel and resort brands.
The arrival of Rixos adds another high-profile luxury hospitality offering to the island and provides the brand with an opportunity to introduce its distinctive resort concept to a new regional audience.
For Capaccetti, the assignment represents an opportunity to combine his extensive knowledge of the Rixos brand with the unique operational environment and cultural dynamics of Vietnam.
The Challenge of a Resort Pre-Opening
Launching a new resort is one of the most demanding responsibilities in the hospitality industry.
A General Manager must bring together multiple teams, recruit and train employees, establish operating procedures, coordinate with developers and project stakeholders, and ensure that every department is prepared to deliver the desired guest experience from day one.
Capaccetti’s previous involvement in major openings, including Rixos Qetaifan North and Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, gives him valuable experience for this stage of Rixos Phu Quoc’s development.
His combination of operational leadership and strategic project experience should also prove useful as the resort moves through recruitment, training, testing, and final operational preparations.
A New Chapter for Rixos in Asia
Capaccetti’s appointment comes at an important stage in Rixos’ global expansion strategy.
With its upcoming Phu Quoc resort, the brand is entering a new geographical market and gaining an opportunity to establish itself within Southeast Asia’s increasingly competitive luxury hospitality sector.
The scale of the development makes operational preparation particularly important. From guest services and dining to entertainment and resort experiences, maintaining consistent service standards across such a large property will require strong leadership and close coordination.
Looking Ahead to the Opening
With Stefano Capaccetti taking the helm, Rixos Phu Quoc Vietnam enters its pre-opening journey under a hospitality executive with extensive international experience and a proven background in hotel and resort launches.
His 15-year association with Rixos, combined with earlier leadership experience with Hilton and Rezidor, provides a strong foundation for overseeing one of the group’s most anticipated upcoming developments.
As construction, recruitment, training, and operational preparations continue, attention will increasingly turn to Phu Quoc as Rixos prepares to welcome its first guests and introduce its brand of hospitality to Southeast Asia.
Stefano Capaccetti’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for both the executive and Rixos. His experience across international markets and complex hospitality operations will be an important asset as the resort prepares for its highly anticipated debut in Vietnam.
Congratulations to Stefano Capaccetti on his appointment as General Manager of Rixos Phu Quoc Vietnam, and best wishes to him and the entire pre-opening team as they work toward bringing this ambitious resort to life.
