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Primary content

The story of Minor

With Asian roots and global ambitions, Minor Hotels’ historic success story spans nearly five decades. The origins of the company stretch back to 1967 when William E. Heinecke, then only 17 years old, founded Minor – named as a nod to the budding entrepreneur’s youthful age. In the years that followed, he expanded Minor across multiple industries by creating innovative brands and strategically acquiring companies to fortify the portfolio.

In 1978, Minor made its debut in the hotel industry with the launch of the Royal Garden Resort in Pattaya. Since that first small but significant step, Minor Hotels team has grown the hospitality enterprise into an international leader, currently boasting over 80,000 rooms across more than 550 hotels in the world's leading resort and urban destinations.

The legacy of Minor Hotels' owner

William E. Heinecke is the founder of Minor, a global hospitality and lifestyle business with a portfolio spanning hotels, restaurants and retail outlets across more than 60 countries. His entrepreneurial journey began as a young, ambitious 17-year-old American in Bangkok, Thailand, where he started a small office cleaning and advertising business.

Bill's vision and determination led Minor from its humble beginnings to becoming a recognised name in the hospitality industry. Despite facing challenges and scepticism from those who expected him to fail, Bill's resilience, resourcefulness and passion turned Minor into a thriving global brand today. Under his leadership, Minor not only expanded into diverse markets, it cemented its position on the global stage.

Bill's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision and the belief that anything is possible with the right combination of hard work, passion and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

The journey of Minor Hotels

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017

2025

Relaunched Minor Hotels globally, transitioning from a B2B-facing company to a guest-facing B2C approach, bringing together 8 hotel brands with over 560 properties across 58 countries into one platform, accessible through a single website and app.

Partnered with Royal Holdings to enter Japan’s luxury and lifestyle hotel market, establishing a 50/50 joint venture, Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd., with plans for 21 hotels by 2035 under Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Avani Hotels & Resorts, and Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brands.

 

 

2024

Minor International achieves SBTi validation for its 2030 and 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and a low-carbon future.

Unveiled the global brand evolution of Anantara Hotels & Resorts.

NH Collection Hotels & Resorts celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Successfully launched the Elewana Explorer brand in Africa, with the first property, Serengeti Explorer, offering a prime location for the Migration and wildlife viewing. 

2023

Successfully launched NH Hotels & Resorts' first property in Asia, the NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort.

Introduced Anantara Hotels & Resorts to Ireland with the opening of Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.

Expanded NH Collection Hotels & Resorts' presence by opening its first properties in the Middle East, NH Collection Dubai The Palm, and in the Maldives, NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort.

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts celebrated its 90th anniversary, marking nearly a century of excellence in hospitality. 

 

2022

Acquired full ownership of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, formerly Corbin & King, a reflection of Minor Hotels’ long-held strategy to invest in and grow the company's iconic brand portfolio in the UK and internationally.

2021

Partnered with Funyard Hotels & Resorts to expand its presence in China, introducing brands such as Avani Hotels & Resorts, nhow Hotels & Resorts, NH Collection Hotels & Resorts and Oaks Hotels & Resorts.

2020

Strengthened its high-end portfolio with the addition of Anantara The Marker Dublin in Ireland, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort in Spain, Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel in Italy and others.

2019

Anantara made its European debut with the opening of Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort in Portugal.

2018

Secured a 94.1% stake in NH Hotel Group. This acquisition brought Minor Hotels’ total portfolio to 513 hotels and resorts across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the United States, further expanding its global presence.

2017

Entered the UK market with a significant investment in the Corbin & King restaurant group, now known as The Wolseley Hospitality Group.

2016

Successfully completed the final stage of acquisition of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, which comprised 12 properties in Portugal and two in Brazil, as well as the Tivoli brand and its operating platform.

2015

Acquired a hotel portfolio of over 1,900 keys, consisting of two hotel properties in Brazil, including a hotel operating platform and the intellectual property rights of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Brazil, and four hotel properties in Portugal, which marked a strategic move into South America and Europe.

Rebranded Four Seasons Bangkok into Anantara Siam Bangkok.

Through Elewana, acquired a majority stake in four properties in Kenya, as well as tour operating companies and intellectual property from Cheli & Peacock, an integrated safari tour operator and manager and property owner of safari camps and lodges in Kenya.

Launched The Residences by Anantara at Layan, Phuket, comprising 15 ultra-luxurious pool residences. Now named Layan Residences by Anantara. 

 

2014

Invested a 25% stake in three hotels, which were rebranded Anantara Medjumbe, Anantara Matemo, and Avani Pemba, in Mozambique, and 49% in a hotel and mixed-use development project, comprising Radisson Blu Hotel, a residential tower and an office tower in Mozambique.

Entered into a strategic partnership with Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Sun International, to own and operate six hotels in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Zambia.

Entered into a 50% joint venture with Natural Park Pcl. to develop a luxury resort-style condominium project with 44 units, Anantara Chiang Mai Serviced Suites, in the city centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Increased stake in Serendib Hotels PLC, a listed company in Sri Lanka, to 22.7%.

 

2013

Acquired a majority stake in Anantara Hoi An, a 93-key resort, and Avani Quy Nhon, a 63-key resort, both in Vietnam, and an 80% stake in Anantara Angkor, a 39-suite boutique resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Entered Africa through a 25% joint venture with Rani Investment to invest in Anantara Bazaruto Island, a 44-villa resort in Mozambique.

Invested a 49.9% stake in Peace Haven Resorts Ltd. to develop Anantara Tangalle on the south coast of Sri Lanka.

Expanded further into the Maldives by acquiring a 50% stake in PER AQUUM Hotels & Resorts, including a 50% stake in Niyama Private Island Maldives.

Expanded its portfolio in Australasia with the addition of Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in Hunter Valley, Oaks Broome in Roebuck Bay and the opening of Oaks Grand Gladstone.

 

2012

Acquired 95% of the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, together with an adjacent 32 rai of land, now developed into Layan Residences by Anantara.

2011

Opened the St. Regis Bangkok under Minor ownership, a prestigious hotel and residence at a premier central address.

Opened Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, the first wholly-owned Anantara hotel outside Thailand.

Acquired a majority stake in Oaks Hotels & Resorts Ltd., one of Australia's largest hotel and resort operators.

Acquired a 25% stake in Tidal Swell, a hotel and resorts company, through Oaks Hotels & Resorts. The company has since merged, and Minor Hotels now fully owns Tidal Swell.

 

2010

Launched Anantara Vacation Club, a points-based vacation ownership programme under Minor Hotels’ Anantara luxury brand.

Launched the Avani Hotels & Resorts brand in Sri Lanka with the debut of the first-ever Avani resort, Avani Kalutara Resort.

 

2008

Entered the Indonesian market with the debut of the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand in Bali, marking its first property under HMA.

Acquired a 50% stake in Elewana Afrika, a collection of luxury lodges in Africa now branded as the Elewana Collection.

 

2007

Minor Hotels continued its international expansion by purchasing a stake in a prominent hotel group in Sri Lanka.

2006

Launched The Estates Samui by Four Seasons, Minor Hotels’ first real estate development in Samui.

Expanded Minor Hotels’ portfolio into the Maldives with the opening of Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, the first property under the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand in the country.

 

2005

Royal Garden Resorts Pcl. changed name to Minor International Pcl. (MINT).

2002

Together with Marriott International, opened the Marriott Phuket Vacation Village, a purpose-built vacation club.

2001

Minor Hotels launched its first home-grown luxury hotel brand, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, as it rebrands The Royal Garden Village in the seaside town of Hua Hin, Thailand.

Opened the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa under Minor ownership, but managed by Marriott International.

Acquired the Regent Bangkok, now Anantara’s flagship property in Bangkok, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. 

 

1999

Entered into a joint venture to operate Mandara Spa (Thailand), which was later 100% acquired and renamed MSpa International.

1988

Royal Garden Resorts was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

1978

Founded Royal Garden Resorts with a small hotel in Pattaya. Still under Minor Hotels, the property has since been rebranded as Avani Pattaya Resort.