Franky Group of Companies founder and managing director Datuk Franky Chua Goon Eng (left) and IHG vice president (Development, South East Asia & Korea) Bryan Chan.
KUANTAN: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s largest hotel chains, has entered into a strategic partnership with Franky Group of Companies, with the recent enlistment of Mangala Estate Boutique Resort Kuantan, an idyllic 67-villa retreat.
The agreement will mark IHG Vignette Collection's brand entry into Malaysia.
Vignette Collection hotels share the vision of harnessing travel’s ability to benefit local people and places, weaving responsibility, community, and locality together.
Since its launch in 2021, the brand has surpassed the halfway point in its initial aim to reach 100 hotels in the first 10 years.
Mangala Estate Boutique Resort will join a growing portfolio, including the upcoming opening of a Vignette Collection property in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, later this month.
IHG vice president (Development, South East Asia & Korea) Bryan Chan said the global hospitality company is delighted to introduce Vignette Collection into Malaysia through Mangala Estate Boutique Resort.
"By adding this outstanding property to our portfolio, we continue to grow our 'Luxury & Lifestyle' presence in the country, reflecting our confidence in its appeal as a leading tourist destination and its attractiveness as an investment opportunity.
"This is our first resort in Kuantan and marks IHG’s entry into Pahang. With its one-of-a-kind stay within a destination renowned for its scenic beaches, we know that it will continue to be one of the leading hotels in the coastal town, following refurbishment and providing travellers with truly memorable stays," he said.
Franky Group of Companies founder and managing director Datuk Franky Chua Goon Eng said they were excited to form an alliance with IHG and introduce Mangala
Estate Boutique Resort to the Vignette Collection portfolio.
"Our vision has always been to offer an eco-luxury retreat that harmonises with the environment and community.
"IHG’s global reputation for excellence, together with Vignette Collection’s focus on individuality and purpose, makes this brand a perfect fit to share our story with a broader audience," Chua said.
Initially retaining its original name, the property will join IHG in mid-2026 before being refurbished and rebranded under the Vignette Collection in 2027.
Vignette Collection is IHG’s first collection brand - a curated collection of distinct hotels that celebrate individual identity and authentic experiences, offering independent owners the opportunity to retain their hotel’s unique character while benefitting from IHG’s global scale and enterprise platform.
The resort will feature 67 elegantly designed villas with private pools, each thoughtfully named to reflect its distinctive character, with the vision to offer guests a memorable experience within a serene, nature-rich estate of lush greenery, palm plantations and a variety of bird species.
A popular tourist spot for domestic travellers seeking nature and adventure, Kuantan was the second-most-visited Malaysian destination last year, with 2.28 million visitors.
Globally, there are 27 open Vignette Collection hotels and a 41-strong brand pipeline.
They include two open hotels - InterContinental Kuala Lumpur and Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park - and four pipeline properties, including Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur.
