W Hotel makes its mark in KL

A 150-room hotel will be built in the heart of Kuala Lumpur offering guests a unique dining experience, entertainment and signature spas. Property developer Dijaya Corporation Berhad has partnered hotel and leisure company Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc to develop W Hotel. The brand has 41 hotels worldwide. The signing ceremony was held at the Tropicana Golf and Country Club recently.

It’s official: (From left) Rohana, Dijaya Corporation Berhad deputy managing director Dickson Tan, Dijaya Corporation group chief executive officer Tan Sri Danny Tan, Ng, Abbott, Starwood Asia Pacific development director Rajit Sukumaran and Dijaya Corporation Berhad managing director Datuk Tong Kien Onn at the signing ceremony to develop W KL.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who attended the event, said the collaboration of the two major brands in the leisure industry to bring in the W brand to Malaysia would boost tourism. “Although ranking fifth in terms of contribution towards the economy, the tourism industry in Malaysia is growing. Hotel occupancy last year was 66.9% which is a 4.2% increase compared with 2009. “Looking at this increasing rate, we will still be short of 40,000 rooms in 2020. We welcome every addition and are convinced that W KL will inject a design-led lifestyle in our city,” she said. 

Dijaya independent non-executive chairman Datuk Rohana Mahmood said the move underlined the company’s commitment to continued growth. “Dijaya is looking at the needs of tomorrow’s jet-setters while also addressing a wider range of environmental challenges facing the industry,” said Rohana, adding that Dijaya will also work towards a Green Building Index rating with W KL.

Starwood Asia Pacific regional vice-president (South East Asia) Chuck Abbott said they were delighted with the signing of the W brand in Kuala Lumpur as the city was cosmopolitan a business hub. “Malaysia has developed a reputation for its standard of hospitality and customer service and we are proud to contribute to the continuing growth of Malaysia as a key business and leisure destination,” he said. The hotel will feature 1,200 sq m of meeting space, one ballroom and five meeting and function rooms. All guest rooms will be fitted with the signature W Bed. Among the facilities are a fitness centre, food and beverage outlets, a full service spa and a nail bar. W KL will be located in the Golden Triangle in Jalan Ampang.

-thestar online.