YTL to renovate Thistle Johor Bahru into JW Marriott, opening end of 2026.
KUALA LUMPUR: Marriott International has signed an agreement with YTL Hotels to bring the luxury JW Marriott brand to Johor Bahru through the strategic conversion of the former Thistle Johor Bahru hotel.
The project is expected to be completed and open to the public by December 2026, thus strengthening Marriott's presence in the luxury hospitality segment in Malaysia.
Marriott International Asia Pacific (excluding China) President Rajeev Menon said the move is part of the JW Marriott brand's strategy to expand to destinations that are showing increasing demand for business and leisure travel.
"Johor Bahru has strong cross-border connections and is growing as an international hub. This makes the city a natural location for the JW Marriott brand, which emphasizes transformative luxury experiences," he said at the signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Meanwhile, YTL Hotels Executive Director Datuk Mark Yeoh Seok Kah said the long-term partnership with Marriott International was further strengthened through the latest project.
"The hotel will be transformed into a modern luxury destination that reflects the values of JW Marriott. It also marks Johor Bahru's role as a destination of choice for high-profile tourists," he said.
The opening of JW Marriott Hotel Johor Bahru is expected to be a major catalyst for the growth of the city's luxury hospitality sector, thus elevating Johor as a premium destination that can compete with Singapore.
The state's rapid economic development, strategic location and the opening of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) next year are among the key factors supporting the presence of the five-star brand.
Meanwhile, Marriott International's Senior Vice President of Development, Asia Pacific (excluding China), D. Shawn Hill, said demand for luxury accommodation is increasing in secondary markets such as Johor Bahru, in line with the growth of tourism and easier access between the two countries.
"We are seeing significant demand growth in many of the major urban rural markets. Johor Bahru is a strategic location because it is adjacent to Singapore and the RTS will reduce travel constraints by being just five minutes from Woodlands," he said.
The JW Marriott Johor Bahru hotel, which is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, covers an area of 1.9 hectares with 410 rooms including premium accommodation options with a contemporary concept and panoramic city views.
Other planned amenities include an Executive Lounge, a spa with five treatment rooms, hydrotherapy facilities, a modern fitness centre, a resort-style swimming pool, tennis courts, three pickleball courts and a Kids' Club for families.
The event space has also been enhanced with a total area of 2,517 square metres, comprising a 900 square metre main ballroom, a 600 square metre junior ballroom and 16 meeting rooms.
The hotel is located at the intersection of Jalan Sungai Chat and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, just minutes from the expected completion of the RTS Bukit Chagar Station, the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex and Senai International Airport.
JW Marriott Johor Bahru will be the second JW Marriott hotel in the country after JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, thus strengthening Marriott's luxury portfolio in Malaysia which also includes The Ritz-Carlton, The St. Regis and W Hotels.
Translation & source from
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