Hotel chain returns to KL

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AFTER 24 years and 30 hotels and resorts across the globe since its beginnings on the beaches of Cherating in Pahang, Holiday Villa will finally “return” home to its base in Kuala Lumpur and will answer the government’s call to boost the medical tourism industry.

Branded as Holiday Villa Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), this new hotel will be situated in Jalan Mayang, off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, in sight of the Petronas Twin Towers.

“We have established the Holiday Villa brand successfully in 11 countries and for our new property, we will be building a new thematic hotel in the heart of the city,” Holiday Villa Hotels and Resorts chairman Datuk Azman Shah Datuk Seri Haron said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the hotel.

He said that the 25-storey project will be developed at an estimated cost of RM90mil to RM95mil.

All set: Ahmad Fuad (seated in cab) performing the groundbreaking ceremony accompanied by Azman Shah (in green hard hat).

“Hopefully, construction work will be completed by the end of 2013. Holiday Villa KLCC will offer more than 200 guest rooms, apartments and suites with a seven-storey mechanical parking facility upon completion,” he said.

Azman added that one of the main attractions of the hotel was its strategic location that was a stone’s throw from Suria KLCC, KLCC Park, K Avenue and other services and entertainment offerings.

The hotel will also promote healthy living and lifestyle with a wellness and hydrotherapy centre that will be equipped with modern therapy facilities and healthy organic food and drinks.

In accordance with Holiday Villa’s “Going Green” policy, the building will be made of carefully considered materials to ensure it is environmentally friendly.

“We will also feature the latest in modern and contemporary design and technology to complement the dynamic architectural concept of the twin towers and its surrounding areas,” Azman said.

The hotel’s facilities include the Executive Prima Floor with private meeting rooms and lounge for business travellers, a 24-hour restaurant with a Malaysian fusion al-fresco dining, banquet and conference facilities, meeting rooms, business centre, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, health spa, hair salon, surau and disabled guest facilities.

“Our guest rooms will also feature the unique ‘Bedroom and Boardroom’ concept, a first in our Malaysian market. Such rooms can be converted quickly into meeting rooms using the American Sico design whereby the bed can be folded into the wall,” Azman said.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony, said that competition in the hotel industry was tough.

“There are more upcoming hotels including St Regis, Grand Raffles and even Harrods to name a few. We also receive many applications for budget hotels,” he said, adding that there was a lot of potential for medical tourism.