Developer in tie-up with two hotels

(From left) S P Setia deputy president and chief operating officer Datuk Wong Tuck Wai, Khor, S P Setia chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Mohd Zahid, Martell and ONYX Hospitality Group development vice-president Markus Aklin at the signing ceremony of a dual hotel partnership in Malaysia held at S P Setia corporate headquarters.

PROPERTY developer S P Setia has announced that ONYX Hospitality Group is now the official hotel operator of two new Amari hotels, which will be ready in late 2020 and early 2021, respectively.

Amari is a flagship brand of Onyx Hospitality Group with a long-standing heritage of more than 52 years, celebrating colours and rhythms of modern Asia and incorporating this into their designs, architecture, cuisines and services.

S P Setia Bhd Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Khor Chap Jen and ONYX Hospitality Group president and chief executive officer Douglas Martell formalised the agreement with a signing ceremony at S P Setia’s corporate headquarters, witnessed by the media and associates.

At the press conference, Khor said it was a natural progression for the group as they expand from developing townships to integrated developments.

“Both the hotels will be providing essentials such as accommodation, food and beverages, and other primary facilities to further support activities to be held within the surrounding areas,” he said.

A 252-room hotel, The Amari Kuala Lumpur will be located within the 10ha KL Eco City mixed-use green development master-planned by Los Angeles-based architectural firm The Jerde Partnership, providing direct access to residential towers, retail malls, office buildings as well as integrated rail hub with intercity and interstate rail connections.

Situated in the Bayan Lepas district of Penang Island, the 453-room hotel Amari Penang up north will be set in a tower connected to the world’s first hybrid solar-powered convention centre, Setia SPICE. The complex incorporates a 10,000-seat arena, aquatic and sports centre and a lifestyle and retail village.

Its strategic location will attract both leisure and business travellers as it will be close to shopping malls, places of interest and corporate offices.

“These are two premium locations. KL Eco City will have an estimated 8,000 residents and commercial employees while SPICE Convention Centre and SPICE Arena have a combined capacity of 16,000 visitors,” said Khor.

“We are proud to establish a dual-property deal with S P Setia and look forward to having three of our core Onyx brands present across peninsular Malaysia,” said Martell.

On promoting local cultures, Khor said, “Amari manifests a vision of contemporary Asia. So, it is also about enhancing the renowned tradition of Asian hospitality besides commercialising experiences that embody our Malaysian cultures.”

The new hotels will also complement Amari Johor Baru which opened last year.