PUCHONG is set to welcome its first internationally branded five-star hotel with the opening of The Westin Puchong at IOI Rio City by mid-2030.
IOI Properties Group Bhd (IOIPG) revealed, during a signing ceremony with Marriott International, that the hotel involves an investment of nearly RM500mil.
The Westin Puchong will have 324 rooms, ranging in size from the 40sq m deluxe room to the 160sq m presidential suite.
It will also have a total event and meeting space of 2,000sq m. including a 1,500sq m grand ballroom.
IOIPG Property Development (Malaysia) chief operating officer Teh Chin Guan said the hotel would form part of the IOI Rio City town centre phase one development, which would include a shopping mall with an investment cost of more than RM1bil.
IOIPG Property Investment (Malaysia) chief operating officer Chris Chong said the arrival of The Westin Puchong was expected to elevate the Puchong area as a top choice for upscale corporate and leisure travellers.
“Currently, our hospitality and leisure portfolio comprises nine hotels with a total of 3,075 rooms,” he said.
“With The Westin Puchong’s 324 rooms, the 360‑room W Singapore – Marina View, and other projects in the pipeline, we expect to expand our capacity by 907 rooms by 2030.
“By then, IOIPG will feature a total of 3,982 rooms across Malaysia, Singapore and China.
“This continued expansion reinforces one of our strategic transitions toward growing recurring-income asset portfolios.”
Chong said the Puchong hotel project would serve as an economic driver expected to create around 220 jobs, alongside other economic spillovers.
“The Westin Puchong will also complement our IOI Mall Rio, a lifestyle anchor development.”
“Together, IOI Mall Rio is set to fulfil the demand for diverse retail, entertainment and gastronomic experiences with more than 92,903sq m of net lettable area, while the hotel will cater to the rising need for premium hospitality,” he said during the ceremony at IOI Galleria in Puchong.
Also present were Marriott International Asia Pacific hotel development vice-president Andree Susilo and Marriott International market vice-president for Malaysia George Varughese.
“As this entire township develops and matures with new residential, commercial and retail offerings over the next five years, we have absolute confidence in introducing our first five-star brand here,” said Andree.
He added that The Westin’s brand concept focused on wellness and lifestyle, including a signature “Heavenly Bed” for sleep comfort.
Varughese said global economic uncertainties had created a “positive spin” in Asia, with an increase in intra-regional and domestic travel across the Asia-Pacific region.
“With the right infrastructure, creating a destination that caters to travellers’ needs – especially their desire for experiential travel is entirely possible,” he said.
