J.M.Friedman & Co / J.M.Friedman Hospitality LLC/ J.M.Friedman Hospitality Pte. is a respected consulting and advisory firm, established in 2016, specializing in the development and operation of luxury resorts, tented camps, and expedition ships in Southeast Asia. We were founded to meet the increasing demand for specialized hospitality services in the region.
Our founder, Jason M. Friedman, brings extensive experience from working with renowned brands such as Rosewood, Aman Resorts, and Four Seasons. His vision was to create a flexible, forward-thinking consulting firm that leverages industry expertise and tailors it to the unique needs of each project. Since our inception, J.M. Friedman Hospitality has earned a solid reputation as a reliable consultant, advisor, and owner’s representative, collaborating with top-tier clients including Rosewood, Shinta Mani, InterContinental, BENSLEY, Al Ula, Kudanil Explorer, and Aqua Expeditions.
What set J.M.Friedman Hospitality apart is our ability to assemble a diverse team of industry experts for each project, offering solutions that are specifically tailored to each client's needs. This network of specialists allows us to deliver pragmatic, economical and effective strategies that contribute to our clients' success.
With J.M.Friedman Hospitality, you will always have Jason himself at the helm of your project, ensuring expert guidance and dedicated attention.
"On 1 August 2023, the 29-room, all-inclusive Shinta Mani Mustang opens. A Bensley Collection luxury lodge owned by local company Sherpa Hospitality, it has been masterminded by modern Hemingway Jason Friedman, a Manhattan intellectual forever immersed in Asia (he opened the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in northern Thailand, he’s essential to luxury yacht cruising in Indonesia, and so much else). Here, Friedman is working once again with long-time professional buddy Bill Bensley, zany influencer, artist, and designer."
- Mary Gostelow, The Robb Report
| Project | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Amaala Saudi Arabia, The Red Sea |
Mixed Use Luxury Resort Mega Project AMAALA will curate transformative, personal journeys inspired by arts, wellness and the purity of the Red Sea. Opening TBD |
Consultant on Marine Tourism Development |
| Amburaya Samui Koh Samui, Thailand |
Luxury Resort Development 40 Villas, Restaurant & Bars, Full Service Luxury Resort Opening TBD |
Lead Consultant for Concept, Development, Management View |
| Dar al Tantora Al Ula, Saudi Arabia |
30 Room luxury ecoreort in the heart of the Al Ula Old Town archeological site. Based on the wildly successful Siwa project in Egypt.
2023 |
Consultant for Development and Operations |
| Dorado Beach -Ritz Carlton Reserve Puerto Rico |
Luxury Resort and Residential Development Working as part of the BENSLEY team for the Masterplanning of a 60 acre, mixed use site. TBD |
Consultant for Masterplanning of the Cerromar site View |
| El Secreto Resort Belize | Luxury Resort Management | General Consultant for redevelopment |
| Gal Oya Lodge Sri Lanka | Luxury Lodge | General Development Consultant |
| Jati Private Island Resort Bamboo Island, Cambodia |
Boutique Resort Development & Management 70 villas, Restaurants & Bars, Wellness Opening Q4 2021 |
Owners Representative for Concept, Development, Management |
| Khmer Tonics Spa and Wellness Cambodia and China | Spa Brand Development | Director of Product & Development View |
| Kingdom Of Bhutan Bhutan | Advisory board to HRH, The Government of Bhutan and The Tourism Council of Bhutan for Tourism Strategic Planning | Strategic planning for the masterplanning of tourism to Bhutan. |
| Mountain Lodges of Nepal Nepal |
Collection of 16 lodges across Nepal
Opening in 2021 |
To develop and launch the brand and set up all operations. |
| Sherpa Hospitality Group Nepal | Hospitality Management Company | Founder, Developer, Advisor View |
| Shinta Mani Loong Bay China |
Luxury Resort Development 70 Pool Villas, Restaurant & Bars, Wellness, Full Service Luxury Resort Opening TBD |
Director of Product & Development |
| Shinta Mani Shack Siem Reap, Cambodia |
Luxury Resort Management 66 Rooms & Suites, Restaurants & Bar |
Director of Product & Development View |
| The Bodog Beach Society Jolly Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda |
Bar & Restaurant Complex 4 Bars, 2 Restaurants and a Beach Club Opening Oct 2021 |
Consultant for Concept, Development, Management |
| The Dorothea Koh Samui, Thailand |
Ultra Luxury Resort 30, BENSLEY designed private pool villas, 3 restaurants, spa and beach club. TBD |
Consultant for Design and Development of property and brand View |
| The Valley Church Project Antigua & Barbuda |
Luxury Resort and Residential Development 68 Villas, 5 Residences, Integrative Health and Spa Village, Beach Club, Retail, Restaurants and Bars Opening Oct 2024 |
Consultant for Concept, Development, Management View |
| Tiger Tops Nepal | Luxury Lodges | General Operations Consultant |
| Treeline Urban Resort Siem Reap, Cambodia |
Boutique Resort Development. 45 Rooms, Restaurants & Bars, Spa. |
Director of Product & Development (Pre-Opening) |
| TRIBE Hotel Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
A new Accor lifestyle brand of 260 rooms in the heart of Phnom Penh's historic Post Office Square precinct.
Opening January 2022 |
HMDAsia Director of Development and Product |
| World Wide China China | Luxury Safari Park and Resort Development | Consultant for Master planning |
Jason M. Friedman, a native New Yorker with over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, is the Managing Director of J.M. Friedman Hospitality, a leading consulting firm specializing in developing and managing small luxury hotels. Having worked across Asia with esteemed brands such as Four Seasons, Raffles, Aman Resorts, Rosewood, InterContinental, and independent properties like The Siam and Qualia Australia, Jason offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field.
J.M.Friedman Hospitality was born from a growing need for consulting and advisory services in developing and operating small luxury resorts and tented camps in Southeast Asia. The company's inception was spurred by designer Bill Bensley, who, in November 2015, approached Jason with the idea of establishing a consulting company. Bensley sought Jason's support for various projects, leveraging their nearly two-decade-long working relationship, during which they successfully opened The Four Seasons Tented Camp and The Siam Bangkok.
Three months later, the firm was established, quickly secured contracts to build and advise on hotels for notable brands such as Rosewood, Shinta Mani, Phu Chaisai, Kudanil Explorer, Aqua Expeditions, and El Secreto Belize. Over the years, J.M.Friedman Hospitality has proven its worth as a successful consultant and representative for the development and ongoing operations of small luxury hotels, tented camps, and ships.
As a graduate of Cornell University with a Master of Management in Hospitality and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Lewis and Clark College, Jason possesses unique qualifications for developing and managing luxury properties in remote locations. His extensive network of travel industry professionals and diverse background enable him to position, promote, and market his hotels quickly and effectively.
Jason's interests, including outdoor sports, sailing, hiking, fitness, restaurants, and cooking, coupled with his lifelong luxury travel experiences, give him unique insight into guest needs and allow him to create exceptional experiences. His work has garnered numerous accolades, including Best General Manager Worldwide 2015 by Gallivanter’s Guide and Best Hotel Manager Worldwide 2013 by Andrew Harper—The Hideaway Report.
J.M.Friedman Hospitality thrives on its ability to access the best and brightest minds in the industry on a project-by-project basis, ensuring the delivery of tailored hospitality solutions for its diverse clients.
We specialize in working with owners on the conceptualization, development, pre-opening, marketing, positioning and management of small luxury hotels resorts.
If you'd like to contact J.M.Friedman Hospitality regarding future projects, please use the form below and we will reply as soon as we can.