InterContinental Hotels Group today announces the signing of a management agreement with OSK Holdings Berhad to convert Swiss Inn Johor Bahru to Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru at the beginning of 2021.
The 203-room hotel supports the growth of the Holiday Inn Express footprint in Malaysia. The brand is the first choice for the increasing number of travellers seeking a simple and engaging place to rest, recharge and get a little work done, too.
With smart, savvy travel in the brand’s DNA, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru offers everything a guest needs, including a gym, self-service laundry, flexible meeting space, an all-day dining restaurant and lobby bar counter. The brand’s much-loved hallmarks also go towards ensuring a great stay, such as complimentary Express Start breakfast, power showers, blackout blinds, high-quality bedding with a choice of pillows for a sensational sleep experience, and unlimited Wi-Fi.
Serena Lim, Vice President, Development for South East Asia and Korea, IHG, commented, “At IHG we are delighted to be partnering with OSK Holdings Berhad to expand the Holiday Inn Express brand in Malaysia. The brand represents a great value proposition both for consumers and owners in some of the country’s regional cities, and we look forward to expanding its presence in Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabulu within the next 12 months. We are also exploring opportunities to grow into other centres in both the peninsula and East Malaysia, such as Ipoh and Kuching, to name a few.
“Malaysia is an important growth market and we see the mainstream segment as an important part of that growth strategy. As we start seeing recovery from the impact of COVID-19 around the world, mainstream travel is proving the most resilient and where we are seeing occupancy levels re-build the fastest. We are confident this hotel will benefit from the brand’s global appeal and the power of the IHG system.”
Ong Ju Yan, Group Managing Director, OSK Holdings, added, “We made the decision to rebrand this hotel to Holiday Express & Suites Johor Bahru as we know there is a strong synergy between the design and feel of this property and the brand values of IHG’s fastest growing brand globally. We can’t wait to unveil the little refurbishment touches that we will be incorporating into the hotel in collaboration with IHG and our designers Ong & Ong Group, which seek to bring out the essence of all things “JB” in a fun and modern design aesthetic. We look forward to working in partnership with IHG to bring the brand experience to life for our guests in this convenient location in the heart of Johor Bahru.”
Centrally located in Johor Bahru, the hotel is easily accessible within a 30-minute drive of Senai International Airport and close to the land border with Singapore. It is also near to the upcoming Singapore-Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor Bahru to Woodlands in Singapore.
With Johor Bahru acting as a central hub for “Iskandar Malaysia”, a southern economic corridor earmarked for significant economic development, its central area hosts a broad range of multinational companies, primarily in the shipping, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries.
The hotel’s location offers business visitors easy access to the main industrial parks and corporate and government offices, with its proximity to the Persada Johor International Convention Centre making it perfect for MICE delegates attending events. Leisure travellers will meanwhile delight in the wide range of shopping, dining, entertainment and relaxation options at two of Johor Bahru’s most popular malls, Komtar JBCC and Johor Bahru City Square, as well as a range of local cafes and dining spots.
IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures at all its hotels worldwide. This is being extended with additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices, in partnership with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab, and Diversey. As part of the IHG family, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Johor Bahru will follow IHG’s Way of Clean and offer all guests the IHG Clean Promise.
IHG has four hotels operating under three brands in Malaysia – InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. There are another 14 in the development pipeline, which are due to open within the next three to five years, including launches of our Regent and Kimpton brands.
*Figures as at 30 September 2020
