KUANTAN: Club Med Borneo Kota Kinabalu in Sabah will open by the end of next year.
The 17ha eco-friendly beachfront resort in Kuala Penyu will have 400 rooms, including 40 suites, and is about 90 minutes by road from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Club Med Singapore and Malaysia general manager Olivier Monceau said Club Med's expansion in Malaysia through the opening of the second resort was timely and exciting.
"At the moment, the focus is on when we plan to open.
"Hopefully, we can stick to the opening date at the end of 2024, which will be a great achievement.
"The tourism market is recovering, especially after the lengthy lockdown, and we are moving in the right direction.
"The resort will be built to meet a top environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings.
"The focus will be on the environment and the people, including proper waste management and reducing carbon footprints," he said at Club Med Cherating recently.
Monceau said the resort in Sabah, a collaboration with owners Golden Sands Beach Resort City, would be a four-trident resort, with a five-trident exclusive collection on top of added services to personalise guests' stay.
Tridents is the "star" ratings at Club Med.
It was reported in 2019 that Club Med's first green resort in Sabah was supposed to have opened by late last year before the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in delays.
Meanwhile, Monceau said the Kota Kinabalu resort's design was inspired by local cultures that blended with the rainforest.
"The resort will offer plenty of activities that encourage guests to preserve the location's beauty and discover local gems.
"I think each and every location (Club Med) has its own beauty and uniqueness… you might want to experience scuba diving in Sabah, which you cannot get in Cherating.
"Guests can experience local culture at the resort without stepping out, including attending workshops and culinary classes.
"For example, at Club Med Bali, we host the Balinese Day with the famous kecak fire-and-dance show and workshops.
"At Club Med Phuket, guests can learn to cook Thai food, learn a traditional dance or take up Muay Thai (Thai boxing)."