Best Western to launch new hotels

KUALA LUMPUR: The world’s largest hotel chain, Best Western International (BWI), will launch a series of new hotels in Malaysia, the Best Western Premier Dua Sentral in Kuala Lumpur Sentral and Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel in Malacca, this year.

BWI currently operates three hotels in Malaysia — Best Western Kinabalu Daya, Best Western Sandakan Hotel & Residence and Best Western Marina Island Resort Pangkor — and is looking to embark on a major nationwide growth.

It also plans to launch another six hotels between 2013 and 2015, making its total Malaysian portfolio to 11 hotels. However, developments in the pipeline could total 15 properties by 2015.

BWI plans on expanding in key business and leisure hubs such as Malacca, Ipoh, Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. It hopes to operate 15 properties in Malaysia by 1Q15, offering more than 1,700 rooms across nine destinations, according to Glenn de Souza, BWI vice president of international operations for Asia and the Middle East, in a recent statement.

The Best Western Premier Dua Sentral is a modern, 364-room facility in KL Sentral that is slated to open on May 1.

The hotel chain is banking on the future of Malaysia’s tourism industry.

“Malaysia welcomed 24.7 million visitors in 2011 and is targeting a remarkable 36 million annual arrivals by 2020,” de Souza said. “With excellent air connections, especially via low-cost carriers, a strong economy and a diverse range of visitor attractions — from idyllic beaches to high-tech cities — the future of Malaysian tourism looks incredibly bright.”

“We hope to be able to help cater for a new wave of business and leisure tourists attracted to this blossoming destination,” he added.

BWI’s first new addition to its chain of hotels in Malaysia will be the Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, a modern, 364-room facility in KL Sentral. Opening on May 1, the hotel will offer its guests rooms ranging from 34 sq m to 183 sq m each with free WiFi, interactive LCD TVs, DVD players and iPod docking stations.

The hotel will also include a choice of restaurants such as the Kembali Kitchen that serves traditional Malaysian and international dishes, Hugo’s on 6, a fusion restaurant that combines Mediterranean and Oriental flavours and Grill 582 that serves steaks and seafood.

Best Western Premier Dua Sentral will also offer business travellers eight function rooms able to accommodate 12 to 140 delegates as well as an infinity swimming pool and Best Western’s signature Bhuvana Spa Luxe for a more relaxing experience.

Meanwhile, the Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel in Malacca will be opening in late May or early June. It offers 170 rooms ranging from 29 sq m to 40 sq m. Each room is equipped with complimentary WiFi and LCD TVs.

BWI provides marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,100 hotels in 90 countries.


This article appeared on the Property page, The Edge Financial Daily, March 2, 2012.