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KUALA LUMPUR: Swiss-Garden International Hotels, Resorts & Inns will be opening five new hotels within the next two to three years in Malaysia. The hotels will be in Butterworth, Penang; Cameron Highlands; Senai, Johor; Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; and Kuantan, Pahang.
"We are also looking to countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for opportunities to set up hotels there in the next three to five years," said group general manager of sales and marketing Francis Lee at the soft opening of the Swiss-Garden Residences in KL on Thursday, Apr 28.
The hotel chain currently manages and operates seven hotels and resorts in Malaysia and Australia. Lee added that the group is also looking to franchise its brand of hospitality products if the opportunity arises. It is also on a look out for more properties in Australia.
Meanwhile, the Swiss-Garden Residences situated behind the current Swiss-Garden Hotel along Jalan Galloway, provides high-end 4-star services suites within walking distance to Chinatown and Jalan Bukit Bintang.
"The Swiss-Garden Residences will help our group expand our portfolio in this market segment where the demand and growth opportunities for serviced apartments are growing," Lee said adding that this was an opportune time to expand considering the rapid development in the surrounding vicinity such as the redevelopment of the Pudu Jail site.
"The demand for accommodation is growing in Kuala Lumpur be it for corporate, long stay or leisure travellers," said central region group general manager Rayan Komatt. "On average the occupancy rate for hotels in KL is around 80%," he added.
The Swiss-Garden Residences sits on land measuring 1.7 acres and has a gross development value of RM330 million. It features a south and north tower, which are 33 and 37-storeys respectively. There are a total of 478 rooms.
All the units were launched in 2008 at RM700 psf, and according to Komatt, values have appreciated to RM950 psf today. About 356 rooms are on leaseback to be managed by the hotel with guaranteed returns of 6% per year. The remaining 42 units are under a time-share scheme.
The majority of the rooms are between 550 sq ft and 750 sq ft in size while the four penthouses are 2,700 sq ft each. The room choices available include a 1-bedroom deluxe, 1-bedroom executive, 1-bedroom premier deluxe and 2-bedroom premier apartments and penthouses. The average room rate for the Swiss-Garden Residences is between RM300 and RM330 per night. Facilities include three F&B outlets, infinity pool, gym, sauna, children's playground and launderette. 
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