CHIANG MAI, Thailand – The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is about to experience a decidedly Spanish flavour this winter with the announcement that one of the city’s leading hotels, Meliá Chiang Mai, is to play host to a rotating succession of top chefs from Spain over the coming three months.

The four chefs – who bring a galaxy of MICHELIN stars with their culinary resumés  – will take turns at exhibiting their cooking skills at Meliá Chiang Mai’s 360-degree rooftop bar, the highest rooftop venue in the city, which offers spectacular views of the Ping River to the city’s east and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west.  This remarkable venue also features a spectacular glass bridge. 

Titled the “Spanish Gastronomy Series”, the Hispanic food fiesta begins on 17 November 2025 with a five-night special set menu courtesy of Chef Sergio, and continues with similar culinary events in December and January, culminating on February 6, 2026, in the adept hands of Chef Manuel. 

Aficionados of Spanish cuisine in Chiang Mai will be licking their lips at the prospect of multi-day Spanish culinary journeys led by four guest chefs at MAI The Sky Bar. Dining will be from 6:30 pm to 11 pm on the following dates:

Nov 17 – 20, 2025: Chef Sergio Nieto Garcés

Chef Sergio comes from a family of restaurateurs and learned the craft of the kitchen from his mother and grandfather. His journey across Spain included a spell with legendary Basque chef Martin Berasategui at his eponymous restaurant in Lasarte-Oria, which has been awarded no fewer than three MICHELIN stars. After gaining further experience at another MICHELIN-starred restaurant, El Chaflán in Madrid, Sergio went on to be a finalist at the “World’s Best Tapas” competition in 2009, and in 2017, he achieved third place as Best Chef in the Madrid Community, further recognition of his talent and creativity. Chef Sergio then joined the Meliá group and is currently the Culinary Director at Meliá Serenity Cam Ranh Beach Resort.

Nov 21, 2025:  Sky & Vine Finale: A vibrant closing night featuring the guest chef’s curated menu paired with wines, alongside live DJ and band entertainment at the Upper Deck.

Dec 1–4, 2025: Chef Juan Ignacio García Racionero

Visiting Chiang Mai from sister hotel INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, Madrid-born Chef Nacho has previously been chef de cuisine at the one MICHELIN-starred Saddle, as well as Diverxo, recognized in the top three ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ in 2023, among other acclaimed restaurants in Spain. Chef Nacho said he achieved a lifelong ambition in coming to work in Thailand in 2024 when he joined INNSiDE in Bangkok. 

Dec 5, 2025: Sky & Vine Finale: Chef Nacho will host a special evening on the Upper Deck to celebrate MAI The Sky Bar’s third anniversary.

Jan 5–8, 2026: Chef Alejandro García Martín

Hosting Spanish Gastronomy Week in the first week of 2026 will be Chef Alejandro, visiting from Indonesia, where he is currently Head Chef of the Gran Meliá Jakarta’s restaurant, ERRE & Urrechu. Chef Alejandro brings his signature blend of Mediterranean elegance and modern technique to the Spanish Gastronomy Series, having honed his craft across prestigious hotels and fine-dining establishments in Europe and the Middle East.  

Jan 9, 2026: Sky & Vine Finale A vibrant closing night featuring the guest chef’s curated menu paired with wines, alongside live DJ and band entertainment at the Upper Deck.

Feb 2–5, 2026: Chef Manuel Robles Cons

Having led diverse culinary teams in various international destinations, including Spain, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Cuba, Chef Manuel brings a wealth of gastronomic experience to the high table as he visits Chiang Mai on loan from his current position as Executive Chef at Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort in Vietnam. 

Feb 6, 2026: Sky & Vine Finale A vibrant closing night featuring the guest chef’s curated menu paired with wines, alongside live DJ and band entertainment at the Upper Deck.

For further information or to make a reservation, call Mai The Sky Bar on +66 52 090 600, email maiskybar@meliachiangmai.com, or visit https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/chiang-mai/melia-chiang-mai/index.htm. 

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts

Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. The brand offers exemplary meeting and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ well-being. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time, and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity. Follow Meliá Hotels & Resorts on Twitter @MeliaHtlResorts, Facebook @Melia.Hotels and, and Instagram @meliahtlresorts. www.melia.com.

About Meliá Hotels International 

Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the “Affiliated by Meliá” network. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (Silver Class). It has also ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.  For more information, visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited    

Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company under TCC Group, operating leading integrated lifestyle property development in Thailand. The company has two main businesses consisting of the Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton and Retail, Wholesale and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale including lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of ASIATIQUE, the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi, and 2) Commercial buildings, including the famous Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district.