BETHESDA, MD—Marriott International and YTL Hotels today revealed agreements for new hotels across Asia, strengthening both companies’ presence in the region.
During an official ceremony held at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, the two companies agreed to develop two new luxury hotels in Malaysia under the JW Marriott and Edition brands and signed Memorandums of Understanding for two hotels in Japan, an Edition and a W Hotel in Niseko Village, Hokkaido.
Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Group of Companies said: “We’re delighted to expand our hospitality footprint in Asia through Marriott International. Our 20-year relationship has been pivotal to the growth of YTL Hotels in Malaysia, Asia and in the U.K. We currently have 11 Marriott International hotels in our portfolio of 32 hospitality assets, making us one of Marriott’s largest owning companies with one of the longest relationships in Asia. Through illustrious Marriott International brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott and Autograph Collection, we seek to offer our guests experiences that will make memories for a lifetime.”
Craig S. Smith, president and managing director for Marriott International Asia Pacific, said: “We are pleased with today’s announcement, which advances our goal of doubling our luxury presence in Asia Pacific. With the addition of these hotels to our system, our guests will have even more luxurious opportunities to explore Malaysia and Japan, two exciting and diverse travel destinations.”
In Malaysia, YTL Hotels’ second JW Marriott hotel will be strategically located near KL Sentral, an exclusive urban center in the country’s largest transit hub. The Edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s first, will neighbor the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), home to the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin towers. It will be a 350-key property.
In Japan, the Edition and W hotels will further complement the luxury hotel experience in the fully integrated Niseko Village. The ski resort currently has two existing hotels with ski-in ski-out accommodation and a collection of bespoke townhouses.
Separately, YTL Hotels marked the relaunch of the 578-room JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur after having undergone a complete refurbishment.