Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a global hospitality group headquartered in Chicago is making its mark in Malaysia with the opening of at least two new properties here in the next two to three years.
The company announced in May 2019 that a Hyatt affiliate entered into a management agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd to develop a Hyatt Centric hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The 22-storey hotel with 220 guestrooms is Hap Seng's flagship hotel, and the first Hyatt Centric hotel in Malaysia. It is expected to open next year.
The hotel is located within walking distance to Jesselton Point and 10km away from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The designer is the world-renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma.
Kuma is also designing Hyatt Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur located within the RM3.8 billion KL Midtown integrated project, in KL Metropolis.
KL Midtown is a 70:30 joint venture between Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd and Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Naza Group and the master planner for the RM20 billion KL Metropolis.
On Saturday, a management agreement was inked between Hap Seng chairman Datuk Jorgen Bornhoft and Hyatt Asia Pacific president David Udell.
Naza TTDI deputy executive chairman and group managing director SM Faliq SM Nasimuddin said Hyatt Regency would provide a boost to KL Metropolis.
Faliq told NST Property its presence signifies the trust and confidence that this global hospitality brand has in KL Metropolis.
The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on making travel free from stress. There are more than 195 Hyatt Regency urban hotels and resort locations in over 30 countries around the world. The properties offer a full range of services, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; and technology-enabled platforms to collaborate.
There is a Hyatt Regency resort in Kuantan, Pahang and it has been operating for almost 40 years.
For Hyatt Hotels, its portfolio as of September 30, 2019, included more than 875 properties in over 60 countries across six continents.
The company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, under a portfolio of 20 premier brands.
The first property in Klang Valley by Hyatt Hotels is Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, which opened in 2012.
The opening of the hotel marked the return of the iconic chain to the Malaysian capital city since the Hyatt Regency Saujana Hotel near Subang airport (now Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) changed management in 2004 and became known as The Saujana Kuala Lumpur.