Thistle

In its first foray out of the United Kingdom, hospitality giant Thistle Hotels will be making its presence felt in Asia through two key hotel properties in Malaysia - Thistle Johor Bahru and Thistle Port Dickson Resort.

The Thistle brand is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Limited. Both companies are members of the Hong Leong Group whose hospitality and leisure business is spread across the globe. In Malaysia, Thistle will be managing properties owned by GuocoLand Malaysia, also a member of the Hong Leong Group of companies. The two properties are slated to open middle of 2009.

"Investing MYR 50 million in the refurbishment of both properties, Thistle's expansion into Malaysia is part of the hospitality brand's two-year strategy to expand its business to an international scale. The hotels will be the first properties opened under the Thistle name outside of the UK," said Ian Jones, Regional Director of Guoman Hotels Asia.

For his part, GuocoLand Malaysia Managing Director Paul Poh said, "We are very pleased to welcome Thistle to Asia and are especially proud to have the first two properties right here on Malaysian shores. This endeavor demonstrates GuocoLand Malaysia's commitment to the Malaysian hospitality industry. This partnership with Thistle proves our commitment to continue to enhance the value of our properties. "

Delivering an informal upmarket environment of comfort, relaxation and style, the two Malaysian properties are designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers providing an atmosphere of true Asian hospitality with classic British touches.

Thistle Port Dickson Resort opening in June 2009 will have 251 bedrooms set upon 90 acres of stunning green resort space. The beach hotel boasts a nine-hole golf course, two tennis courts, three restaurants, two bars and three outdoor swimming pools, with views out over the beach and sea.

In July 2009, Thistle Johor Bahru will open its doors as the second Asian Thistle property. Located in one of Malaysia's most important commercial cities, just across the border from Singapore, this high end yet affordable hotel will cater primarily to business visitors. The hotel offers 381 bedrooms including 125 luxury rooms, two restaurants, two bars, large events space with a capacity for 650 persons and an outdoor "resort style" swimming pool. For its long-term guests, the hotel also has 19 units of apartment for rent.

"The two hotels provide different offerings, but one thing is clear: both will contribute to the regeneration of the localities. Thistle Port Dickson which will be of international standard is sure to attract leisure and MICE audience from around the world. Thistle Johor Bahru, capitalizing on its prime location at the gateway to Singapore, will cater primarily to the business community supporting inward investment to the area and offering a hotel standard that the city of JB has never seen before," concluded Jones.

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About Thistle | Thistle is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited, owned by Guocoland (Malaysia) Berhad, a subsidiary of Hong Leong Group. Thistle Hotels has 34 hotels across the UK, in most of the major cities including 11 in central London - making it London's largest hotel group in terms of room numbers.

About GuocoLand Malaysia | GuocoLand Malaysia, listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia, is a member of the Hong Leong Group. The Company is an established property developer with a 50-year track record of residential and commercial properties in the Kuala Lumpur city centre and various locations within the Klang Valley. Its portfolio ranges from the early township developments of Taman Megah Mas in PJ, Taman Megah in Cheras and Bukit Rahman Putra in Sungai Buloh, to the more recent Emerald Rawang. GuocoLand's current portfolio includes its flagship integrated Damansara City project in Damansara Heights, PJ City along the Federal Highway, Changkat Kiapeng in the KL Golden Triangle, Commerce One on Old Klang Road, as well as the high end residential projects which include Cirrus, Cheras and The Nest in Kajang. With the securitisation of the property industry via Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), GuocoLand established Tower REIT in 2006, and has a portfolio of high quality and yield-accretive commercial real estate including Menara HLA, HP Towers and Menara ING.

GuocoLand owns two leading hotels in Port Dickson and Johor Bahru, namely Guoman PD and Hyatt Johor Bahru. Both hotels are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment and upon completion in mid 2009, will be rebranded as Thistle Port Dickson Resort and Thistle Johor Bahru, marking the entry of one of the most recognised hotel brands in the UK into Asia for the first time.

About Hong Leong Group |Hong Leong Group is a leading conglomerate based in Malaysia with diversified businesses in banking & financial services, manufacturing & distribution, property development & investment and hospitality & leisure with presence.

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