Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) today announced that it will introduce Element Hotels in Southeast Asia with the debut of Element Kuala Lumpur. Marriott International has finalised a management agreement with owner IB Tower Sdn Bhd and the newly built hotel is slated to welcome its first guests in March 2017.
Prakash Kumaran also brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to Sunway Hotels & Resorts. The Malaysian national joins as General Manager of Sunway Hotel Georgetown and Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya in Penang, Malaysia from his most recent role as the Cluster Pre-Opening General Manager for the 1,001-room NH Haikou Meilan International Hotel and the 334-room NH Sanya Phoenix International Hotel in Sanya, China; a joint venture project between NH Hotels together with the Hainan-based HNA Group’s subsidiary company, HNA Hospitality. Prakash also served as General Manager in a number of Tangla Hotels & Resorts and HNA Hotels & Resorts properties in China. Before China, Prakash held various rooms division management roles with numerous global hotel brands in Malaysia, Singapore and the United States.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, and Venus Assets Sdn Bhd ("Venus"), an internationally renowned property developer, today announced plans for Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, set to open in early 2018. Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle neighbourhood, Kuala Lumpur's thriving business and financial district, the Hotel is part of a 65-storey mixed-use tower that will include 242 Four Seasons Private Residences, 27 serviced apartments, a 209-key Four Seasons hotel and a five-floor, 300,000 square foot (27,900 square metre) luxury retail podium, collectively known as Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Exopuri Development Sdn Bhd to develop a new 288-room Holiday Inn & Suites on mainland Penang.
Renowned global hospitality brand Best Western Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce the opening of its latest property in Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced at HICAP (Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific), the signing for Radisson RED Kuala Lumpur City Center in Malaysia with Masteron Sdn Bhd. The 166-room new build hotel is strategically located 800 meters from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Cosmo Hotel Kuala Lumpur is set to open its doors on 1st December 2016. The 347-room hotel is well-designed with unique personality and distinctive style to fit both business and leisure travellers.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Eosh Properties SDN. BHN., an affiliate of KAJ Development, for a Hyatt Place hotel in Melaka Gateway, Malaysia. Expected to open in late 2019, Hyatt Place Melaka Gateway will be part of the Melaka Gateway, a mixed-use project currently being developed by KAJ Development.
Bringing with him a sterling career spanning over 20 years, Boon is no stranger to the hospitality industry. He received his education in Tasmania, Australia, and graduated from the University of Tasmania, with a degree in Computer Science. Having dabbled in the hotel industry at a young age, Boon was noted for his results-driven approach and was appointed as a General Manager by the age of 25. He then spent some 20 years accumulating experience in hotels around Australia before beginning his adventure with the AccorHotels group.
Hard Rock International continues the expansion of its Hotel brand throughout Asia-Pacific by announcing Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. Following the recent announcement in Dalian, and while gearing up to open projects in Shenzhen and Haikou, China, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is slated to open fall 2017 in the southeastern region of Malaysia, in the state of Johor. The 365-room hotel will be part of the country's most anticipated integrated destination resort, Desaru Coast, encompassing entertainment, restaurants, shopping, a waterpark and 45-holes of golf, among other leisure offerings. The project is in collaboration with Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd (TAR&H), a leading tourism group established by the Malaysian Government's strategic investment fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, to develop, manage and operate world-class attraction destinations in Southeast Asia.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Southeast Asia is pleased to announce the appointment of Kumar Renoo as General Manager of the newly opened Le Meridien Putrajaya.
Frasers Hospitality Group, a division of Frasers Centrepoint Limited, will be launching its first Gold-Standard serviced residence in the federal administrative centre of Malaysia with the opening of Fraser Residence Putrajaya in 2019. This will add to its growing portfolio in Malaysia which is targeted to increase to eight properties with more than 2,400 units by 2019.
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a stunning new upscale hotel in Malaysia's popular and scenic Genting Highlands. The brand new Best Western Premier Ion Delemen is nestled into the lush jungle-clad hills of Pahang state, in the center of the Malay Peninsula. As well as providing the perfect natural retreat for both Malaysian and international visitors, the new hotel is also on the doorstep of multiple attractions, such as Chin Swee Cave Temple and Genting's Resorts World, which features a large theme park, casino and Malaysia's longest cable car ride. In addition, two large retails malls are due to open in the area later this year, and the world's first 20th Century Fox theme park is scheduled to welcome visitors in 2017. Best Western Premier Ion Delemen is operated by Ion Delemen Hospitality Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the NCT Group of Companies. "The Genting Highlands is becoming a must-visit destination, not only for Malaysian travellers wanting a break from the city, but also for a rising number of international guests," said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts' Managing Director of International Operations - Asia. "With beautiful natural scenery, an array of world-class attractions and 20th Century Fox World on track to open next year, there are now multiple reasons to visit. "Our impressive new hotel, Best Western Premier Ion Delemen, will provide contemporary and stylish upscale accommodation for visitors. And with its outstanding collection of upscale facilities and incredible setting, the hotel is likely to become a destination its own right," Mr Berrivin added. Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2016, Best Western Premier Ion Delemen will offer a collection of 300 rooms, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, all featuring separate living areas, bedrooms and kitchenettes. All rooms will offer modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, international power outlets and complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as spacious bathrooms and large windows that overlook the lush Titiwangsa Mountains. This brand new hotel also incorporates a vast array of amenities. There are no fewer than six restaurants and bars, most of which offer floor-to-ceiling windows or al fresco seating areas that merge seamlessly with the natural surroundings. There is also a sky garden, a heated swimming pool, luxurious spa, fully-equipped fitness center, children's play area, and extensive space and conferences and events. Guests will also be able to access the Genting Highlands' many other attractions – including Resorts World – using the hotel's complimentary shuttle bus service. Best Western Hotels & Resorts currently operates three hotels in Malaysia, located in Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Ipoh. Best Western Premier Ion Delemen will become the company's second upscale hotel in the central mountains of the Malay Peninsula, following the spectacular Best Western Premier The Haven Ipoh.
Born in Adelaide, Australia, Rachael’s 19-year career with Starwood Hotels and Resorts began in F&B at Sheraton on the Park, Sydney. She then moved on to numerous roles at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas, The Westin Melbourne and The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) is delighted to announce the appointment of Clive Murray as Area General Manager Malaysia and Batam with a concurrent appointment as General Manager of InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. Clive, a hospitality veteran with more than 26 years of experience, was most recently the General Manager of Radisson Blu Shanghai New World, a position he held for more than two years, after his tenure as the General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Hotel Tianjin. Under his leadership, both hotels have garnered the Carlson Rezidor Hotel of the Year (Asia Pacific) award for the great results, across key metrics including guest satisfaction, service performance and brand standards. An Australian national, Clive’s career has taken him to various destinations primarily in Asia Pacific including China, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Japan. In year 2007, he began his tenure with the Ishin Hotels Group in Japan as the Managing Director. Clive was responsible for the strategic direction of the West cluster which encompasses six properties totalling up to 1,317 rooms, managing their day-to-day success and overseeing all operation aspects of each property. Prior to that, he served as Resident Manager of Prince Hotel & Residence in Malaysia, leading all pre and post-opening and operation tasks.
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur has appointed Tara Nguyen as the new Executive Assistant Manager for the hotel. An American national, Tara’s most recent posting was at Vientiane, Lao PDR, where she was part of the pre-opening of Crowne Plaza Vientiane, the first international luxury 5-star hotel in the country. Prior to that, Tara worked as the Director of Rooms at InterContinental Asiana Saigon and Residences, and she was responsible for the daily operations including Front Office, Housekeeping and Spa & Health Club. Tara started her career in the hospitality industry in February 2003 and has spent over 12 years with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®). She joined IHG in 2004 after serving at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Atlanta where she supervised the front desk operations. Over the years, she has gained outstanding experiences serving landmark properties in different capacities such as InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake and InterContinental Asiana Saigon. In her new role, Tara will be responsible for the hotel operations, namely rooms division while assisting the General Manager to maintain InterContinental’s brand standards as well as elevate service quality and guest satisfaction. Tara holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, International Business from the Georgia State University.
VETERAN hotelier Christopher Bong has been appointed general manager of Sunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur, effective since July 18. In his new role, Bong is tasked with steering the hotel’s business growth, financial performance, guest experiences and employee enrichment programmes. The Singaporean national brings with him over 30 years of experience in the industry, including stints in hotel pre-opening, market activation, operational and financial management positions. Prior to joining Sunway Putra Hotel, Bong served as general manager for the Fraser Residence Sudirman Jakarta, leading all pre-opening and operational tasks.
A French national, Thomas Schwall will oversee all management functions and hotel operations at this new property. He brings a wealth of hospitality industry experience to the position and joins after completing a successful four years tenure in New Caledonia where he opened the Sheraton Deva Golf & Spa Resort in the French Pacific as General Manager.Thomas Schwall began his career in hospitality with a culinary arts apprenticeship based in Paris as well as working in various fine dining venues over Europe, some of which with Michelin-awarded chefs, as well as Maître Ds.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) celebrates the opening of Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre, marking the entry of the Holiday Inn Express brand into Malaysia. The new 383-room hotel is conveniently located along Jalan Raja Chulan, just a street away from the heart of Kuala Lumpur's 'Golden Triangle'. One of Kuala Lumpur's must-visit destinations comprising the city's main commercial, retail and entertainment districts, the 'Golden Triangle' features major shopping malls, commercial towers and popular landmarks, putting Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre in a prime location for business and leisure travellers visiting the city.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts SEA is pleased to announce the appointment of Norliza Omar as the new General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Penang.