What is your full name and age?
Aarron James Nelson – 46 years.
What is your current Job Position?
General Manager for INNSiDE by Melia Hotel Bangkok, a new lifestyle hotel located in the On Nut area.
What do you like most about your profession?
Meeting people and working with a fantastic team of individuals. I enjoy connecting with people.
How long have you lived in Bangkok, and where did you live prior?
I have been in BKK for almost 1 year, I was living in Malaysia for 19 years before relocating to BKK, prior to that I have lived and worked in Maldives, Vanuatu, Australia, and my native country of New Zealand.
What do you like most about Bangkok?
Bangkok has such an amazing energy with the people and culture, street food to the sophisticated culinary options in the city, Bangkok has such an array of experiences for all travelers.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Nong Rim Klong, it’s a great atmosphere with great quality and authenticity.
What is your favorite “Special Occasion” restaurant?
For special occasions I prefer to cook myself and going back to the roots of my culinary passion, either it be family or very close friends, great quality ingredients and nice bottle of Pinot noir (usually from NZ).
What do you like to do in your free time?
I will always be riding my superbike in and around Bangkok or day trips to neighboring areas, for me it’s both a passion and a great way to explore and “switch off” from the normal busy workdays.
Where do you recommend first time visitors to Bangkok go?
Take a boat ride from Central Pier to explore along Chao Phraya River, you will be amazed with the local way of living as well as those iconic landmarks such as the Temple of Dawn, Grand Palace, etc. You can hop off anywhere you want to, to discover further as well such as Prannok for Wang Lang Market. Then end your day at Eagle Nest Bar (rooftop bar by the river overlooking the Pagoda of Wat Arun).
On a night out with friends, where do you like to go?
I will usually book a current new popular restaurant in town that I haven’t been to, followed by one of the many rooftop bars with great views and music.
Tell us a surprising fact that the public might not know about you?
I spent quite a few years growing up on a family dairy farm in New Zealand, after school was filled with many after school and weekend chores that entails dedication and hard work to which is a fundamental ethic of how I am today.
What is the most outlandish thing you have ever done?
Early days in my career I received a call to work in the Pacific Republic of Vanuatu a small group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, didn’t know much about the location, yet I just said immediately “Yes” and pack a suitcase and off I was….and that journey is still going! …. I was going to say that time many years ago while in New Zealand when I ran down the inner crater slopes of a volcano at MT Tarawera.