YTL Hotels launches Kasara brand in Japan

PETALING JAYA: YTL Hotels will be launching Kasara, a new hotel brand in Niseko Village in Hokkaido, Japan in December, according to a press release on Wednesday.

The brand will make its debut with the opening of the Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse within the group’s existing integrated ski resort, Niseko Village on Dec 1. This hotel component will be a new build comprising eight units of 3-bedroom townhouses.

A stay here will begin at US$2,000 (RM6,359) per night. The luxury townhouse hotel will provide bespoke services and priority privileges exclusively for its guests.

The Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse will add to the existing inventory of accommodation within the village, namely Hilton Niseko Village and The Green Leaf Niseko Village. Construction on the hotel started in May and is slated for completion in November.

Beyond the eight initial townhouses there will be an option to pre-select and purchase freehold townhouses in the next development phase.

Kasara will encompass a collection of unique luxury hotels, resorts and residences in exotic locations to be opened globally including Hokkaido, Japan; Koh Samui, Thailand; and Pulau Tiga in Borneo.

“It is with great excitement that we now reveal Kasara,” said Luke Hurford, vice- president of sales and marketing at YTL Hotels. “The privilege of early morning access to hidden powder stashes guided by a local Niseko Village expert, native fishermen in long-tailed boats serving up a sumptuous seafood feast in Koh Samui, holistic immersion into natural mud baths in Borneo and free-diving into the aquamarine waters of the Coral Triangle — these are some of the authentic experiences which await the Kasara guest, alongside stunning properties in exotic locations.”

The new brand will add to YTL Hotel’s current collection of 24 resorts, hotels and spa villages. “Kasara will expand its presence to Koh Samui in early 2016 and Pulau Tiga, shortly thereafter.

“We will definitely be looking into growth in other exotic destinations if they inspire the Kasara brand DNA in offering an experience of luxury, authenticity and timelessness,” says Hurford.

Targeting affluent travellers, Kasara will differentiate itself from other brands by the incorporation of local influences, culture and tradition into their hotels in order to create a compelling experience that resonates with each destination. The design of each hotel under the brand will be driven by the location’s environment, such as alpine, rainforest or beach.

YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corp Bhd and it owns and manages resorts, hotels and spa villages in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, France, and the UK. The hospitality arm has seen much expansion over the past decade with the acquisition of the Niseko Village, the Marriott hotels in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia, as well as the upcoming heritage-listed The Gainsborough Bath Spa in the UK.

An artist’s impression of the interior of Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 18, 2014.