Stunning new destination resort has sustainability at its heart and marks key milestone in IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle growth in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 21 November 2023: IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to introduce stunning eco-friendly InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort, in partnership with leading Taipei real estate broker Zhancheng Tourism Development, a subsidiary of Sinyi Realty Inc., a listed real estate brokerage company in Taipei.
The 450-room new-build beachfront resort, located in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah state in northern Borneo, marks a new milestone in the impressive growth of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Malaysia.
Opening in 2027, InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will adopt environmentally friendly practices throughout its design, construction and operations, and provide guests with immersive, close-to-nature stays through experiences that value, protect and care for the biodiversity of its location. All rooms, suites and villas will offer a strong “back-to-nature” theme steeped in Borneo culture, and feature a full range of modern creature comforts.
Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Kota Kinabalu is one of the leading leisure destinations in Malaysia and an eco-tourism hub renowned for its nature-based attractions and rich cultural heritage. InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will quickly become a ‘must-visit’ destination, sensitively situated and sustainably operated in alignment with IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow 10-year responsible business plan. Together with our partners Zhancheng Tourism Development, we can’t wait to welcome guests in four years’ time.
“This signing continues IHG’s expansion in the Luxury & Lifestyle space in East Malaysia and throughout the country. It’s an exciting period for us in the market due to the wonderful growth opportunities we’re seeing, and we’re invested in bringing new and unique experiences to a range of city and resort destinations.
“InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will be our third hotel in Kota Kinabalu together with Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre and upcoming Crowne Plaza Kota Kinabalu Waterfront. Together, these fantastic properties will ensure IHG has a market-leading hotel that’s perfect for every traveller.”
InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will establish targets across energy, water, landscape, materials, and waste. Guests will enjoy and appreciate its natural ventilation and extensive shading, and its use of recycled water via a rainwater filtration system. Local sourcing of goods and materials will be prioritised, with an on-site food garden and the use of low carbon materials from the local area among its sustainability-based initiatives.
Mr. Chou Ken-Yu, Chairperson, Sinyi Realty Inc., said: “Sinyi Enterprise Group is a well-known real estate group in Taiwan. It has accumulated a wealth of real estate professional and service experience over the past 42 years. Now we adhere to the concept of environmental sustainability and launch our first cross-regional tourism project. It is expected to bring 70,000 people to Sabah every year, provide more than 500 job opportunities and drive the sustainable development of the local economy and ecology. In addition to the InterContinental Kota Kinabalu Resort project in Sabah in partnership with IHG, Mengalum Island, which has been engaged in ecological restoration work for two years, will also be built into the “world’s first zero-carbon island” and a low-carbon tourist resort in the future.
“As the world’s first international luxury hotel brand, we know that InterContinental has a strong tradition in creating enriching experiences for guests in outstanding destinations. We’re confident that the resort will make a wide-ranging positive impact on its local community, natural ecosystem and cultural heritage. This is the start of our journey in investing in Sabah, which we believe has a very bright future.”
Ideally located just a 25-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will feature a 600 metre-long beach that provides an idyllic setting for guests to relax and unwind. Facilities will include four restaurants and bars, 2,400 square metres of meeting space including 11 meeting rooms, fitness centre, spa, kids club, three outdoor pools and the brand’s renowned Club InterContinental Lounge.
The resort will also offer activities that encourage guests to gain a deeper appreciation of nature and wildlife, including island hopping, snorkelling, forest walks and trails, mangrove kayaking expeditions, and firefly and proboscis monkey cruises.
IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow 10-year action plan of clear commitments, which is bringing change to its people, communities and planet, is aligned to its purpose of True Hospitality for Good and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Within this, IHG is working with hotels to reduce carbon emissions in line with climate science, eliminating single-use items, reducing food waste, and collaborating with local stakeholders to make a positive difference to communities.
IHG has seven hotels across three brands – InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Express – in Malaysia. It’s set to rejuvenate and triple its estate to 18* properties across six brands within the next five years as it introduces Regent Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Indigo to the market.
*As of 30 September 2023
