Emphasis shifts from business to pleasure
Properties in Kuala Lumpur get upgrades to draw leisure travellers. Reports by Michael Taylor
Hotels in Kuala Lumpur have traditionally targeted meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) organisers and business travellers, but a move is afoot to broaden their base by attracting more leisure travellers. Their efforts are supported by Tourism Malaysia, which is focusing increasingly on the leisure travel segment by promoting festivals and other tourist-friendly events and activities.
The number of hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur increased by an average of 3.6 per cent between 2007 and 2013, when there were 34,700 rooms spread across 226 properties. Between 2011 and 2014, occupancy averaged just over 70 per cent, with the average daily room rate fluctuating between US$160 and US$175.
With 300 rooms, the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is the grande dame of the Malaysian capital's hospitality sector. Opening in 1932, the original hotel was the largest and most luxurious property in town. By the 1970s, however, it had lost its former lustre, overshadowed by newer, more luxurious properties. It closed in 1983, then served as an art gallery for several years.
After the gallery moved out, permission was given to YTL Hotels to restore the hotel to its former glory, and it reopened in 2013. Set amid landscaped grounds, it has six food and beverage outlets, a spa, fitness centre, and niche facilities including a cigar room, card room, a bespoke tailor, and a private cinema that shows black and white movies. Meanwhile, existing hotels are upgrading their facilities to stay competitive. The Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, which opened in 1998, just completed renovations of its meeting facilities and its spa, fitness and wellness centre.
"This is important to keep us as the leading hotel in the city, as the market is very competitive," says Rachel Wong, the hotel's director of sales and marketing. "During the low season, such as Ramadan, we often have tactical offers and promotions to our various key markets such as Asia, Britain, Europe and Australia."
Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, which opened in 2006, underwent a full rejuvenation of its 571 rooms between 2012 and 2013.
"The iconic SkyBar had a facelift and was renovated in 2012 after seven years in operation," says Christian Nannucci, general manager of the hotel. "The hotel has also created a series of food and beverage promotions to further enhance our present offerings. The hotel is constantly creating fresh and exciting food and beverage experiences to cater to the ever-demanding public and is actively utilising its social media platform to reach out to the masses."
The Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It has 662 rooms, eight food and beverage outlets, a spa, health club and outdoor swimming pool. It was the first hotel in the city to offer free internet service - not just inside the hotel, but also in its limousines.
"We are a business hotel, with a substantial proportion of MICE business due to our great variety of meeting rooms, and our location and facilities also make us a perfect location for visitors coming to see Kuala Lumpur at leisure," says Manfred Weber, the hotel's general manager. "While the corporate and MICE segments are our largest segments, our leisure business - which is both regional as well as from Europe and Australia - is equally important to us."
Capital's attractions lure luxury hotels
Several new luxury hotels, offering 2,293 rooms, are scheduled to open this decade. The 371-room Dorsett Hartamas opened this year in the heart of the "Golden Triangle", an entertainment and shopping district.
Located in Sentral Precinct, a new business district, the 200-room St Regis Kuala Lumpur is scheduled to open on December 15.
At least two high-end properties are scheduled to open next year:
W Kuala Lumpur, which is set to open on March 31, and the 126-room Alila Bangsar, whose opening date has yet to be announced.
At least three luxurious properties will open in 2017 - the Banyan Tree Signatures Pavilion with 94 rooms, the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur with 202 rooms, and the Fairmont with 750 rooms.
A seven-star Harrods Hotel with 300 rooms will open in 2018, and a 250-room luxury hotel in Tun Razak Exchange, a new financial district under development, will follow in 2019. Most of these new hotels are concentrated in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.