Minor Hotels has appointed Judd Rabbidge General Manager of Avani Singapore, a hotel currently under construction in the Tanjong Pagar district, whose opening is set to mark the lifestyle brand’s entry into the Singapore market. The Australian executive leaves Avani+ Fares Maldives, which he had led since 2024, to take charge of the pre-opening of this new property.
A pre-opening role for the first Avani address in Singapore
Located at 24 Peck Seah Street, Avani Singapore sits in the heart of the Tanjong Pagar district, a short walk from the central business district and Chinatown, and close to the Tanjong Pagar and Maxwell MRT stations. The 200-key property is being developed in partnership with Singaporean developer Kajima Development and Emirati investor Al Wathba Investment. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in August 2025, with opening scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
The future hotel will feature a rooftop pool terrace, an AvaniFit gym, and several dining concepts, along with a pedestrian link connecting Peck Seah Street and Tras Street.
Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, said that the arrival of Avani in Singapore represented a strategic entry into the market for the group, and thanked partners Kajima and Al Wathba for their support on the project. This appointment comes amid a broader push by international groups to strengthen their presence in the Singapore market, through both new openings and strategic appointments.
From Sydney to the Maldives, a career built between sales and operations
Judd Rabbidge had served since 2024 as General Manager of Avani+ Fares Maldives, in Baa Atoll, where he had been recruited by Stuart de Saint Nicolas, then Cluster General Manager for Minor Hotels in the Maldives. This was his first general manager role, following a career built largely in commercial functions.
Before this appointment, he had spent more than two years as Hotel Manager of W Sydney, where he supported the pre-opening as part of the leadership team, at the time presented as the largest W in the world. He had previously led sales and marketing for W Bali – Seminyak between 2018 and 2022, after a spell as Director of Sales for One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.
His career began in Indonesia, where he oversaw sales and marketing for the repositioning of The Ungasan Clifftop Resort in Bali, before holding several commercial roles within Mantra Group, including sales and marketing leadership across the group’s three Bali properties, followed by a combined role as Area Sales Manager for North Queensland and National Account Manager for the cruise segment, covering the entire Mantra Group portfolio. His career began with a role as a marketing and recruitment consultant for the Pacific International Hotel Management School in New Zealand, where he himself earned his degree in hotel and tourism management.
A standout tenure at Avani+ Fares Maldives
Judd Rabbidge’s tenure at Avani+ Fares Maldives was marked by the launch of several new concepts and experiences at the property, as well as industry accolades for the resort. He was himself named Resort Manager of the Year 2025 at the Hospitality ON Awards, a recognition he attributes above all to the work of his on-site teams.
His appointment to Singapore carries a personal dimension: Judd Rabbidge spent part of his childhood in the city-state, giving this new assignment something of a homecoming feel for an executive who has spent most of his career across Southeast Asia, Bali and the Indian Ocean.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Judd Rabbidge to lead pre-opening of Avani Singapore
Appointed General Manager of Avani Singapore, Minor Hotels’ first Avani property in the city-state
Previously General Manager of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort (Baa Atoll) since 2024
Named Resort Manager of the Year 2025 at the Hospitality ON Awards
Avani Singapore: 200 keys, Tanjong Pagar district, developed with Kajima Development and Al Wathba Investment
Opening scheduled for Q2 2027
