Country overview: More than 23,000 hotel rooms mooted in Malaysia [Infographic]

The TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database illustrates the scale of Malaysia’s hotel project pipeline, with both established and emerging destinations growing their offering.
In the coming years, 75 hotels with 23,640 keys are due to open across Malaysia, our research indicates. We take a closer look at some of the most eye-catching projects.
Malaysia’s hotel openings by year
Malaysia can look forward to a steady stream of openings over the next few years. For the second half of 2021, 17 launches will bring 5,626 rooms, while 19 projects with 6,174 keys are due for completion in 2022.
Looking further ahead, ten hotels and 2,561 rooms are set to open in 2023. And in 2024 and beyond, 29 schemes with 9,279 keys have already been pencilled in.
Of Malaysia’s 75 new hotels, over two-thirds (53) will be in the four-star category – the remainder (22) will be five-star affairs.
Malaysia’s key urban growth markets
Kuala Lumpur will get no fewer than 26 new hotels (accounting for 7,899 rooms), meaning that a little over a third of all new hotels across Malaysia will open in the capital alone. Kota Kinabalu takes second place with eight additional hotels and 2,705 keys, and another popular destination, Melaka, will see four projects with 1,622 rooms complete.
Further down the rankings, three hotels will open in both Taman Pulau Melaka and Langkawi, with 1,560 and 910 keys respectively. This shows that, on average, projects in Taman Pulau Melaka are a good deal larger than those in Langkawi.
Malaysia’s most active brands
Somerset Serviced Residences will open seven new properties with 19,84 rooms, earning it the distinction of being Malaysia’s most active brand. Citadines Apart’hotels is working on six schemes with 1,289 keys, by way of comparison, and Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts has three upcoming launches and 798 rooms.
The fact that two out of the top three brands specialise in serviced apartments reflects how the market for extended-stay accommodation is really booming in Malaysia right now.
Impressive new hotels due to open in Malaysia
In the capital, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur will offer 232 luxurious rooms, suites and apartments from mid-2022. This hotel will occupy the top 17 floors of a 118-floor tower overlooking Stadium Merdeka, where the country’s independence was declared in 1957. Three bars and restaurants, a wellness centre with a spa, gym and pool, and 20,000 sq ft of flexible meeting spaces are all being promised.
Also part of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation portfolio, Alila Dalit Bay will be located just a 40-minute drive from the popular beachside destination of Kota Kinabalu. It’ll feature 152 rooms and suites alongside diverse dining options, the Spa Alila, a kids’ club, a library, retail options, swimming pools and an outdoor wedding chapel, while 74 private villas are up for sale too. The resort’s opening date is currently pencilled in for August 2021.
Another hotel earmarked for the same area, Crowne Plaza Kota Kinabalu, will launch in Q3 2023 as part of a mixed-use development at a prime downtown waterfront location. The hotel will offer eight versatile meeting spaces, including a ballroom for up to 600 guests, which can be easily transformed to suit a variety of MICE needs. Its rooftop bar will deliver unparalleled sunset views of the city and coast, while there’ll also be an outdoor pool, spa and fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre.
Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.
Related Articles
Puerto Rico hotel to undergo Marriott rebrand
La Concha Resort was part of Marriott’s Renaissance Hotels group for 15 years, but will now be joining the luxury Autograph Collection. Multi-million refresh The site will soon undergo a US$45 million renovation of 238 ocean front suites as well as new additions to...
Dalata delivers double digit development
The firm now has almost 11,000 rooms in Ireland, the UK and Germany, with upcoming projects poised to add another 1,300 keys. Half century feat In 2022, the group opened six leased hotels and one owned hotel, encompassing over 1,900 rooms, and bringing the precise...
Mondrian moves into Saudi Arabia
Mondrian Riyadh Al Malga Hotel and Residences will be developed as part of the mixed-use Al Malga Urban Village and is set to open in 2026. Murabba proximity Located in the northern part of Riyadh, the Al Malga neighbourhood is at the entrance of the recently...
Project of the Week: Gran Meliá Lombok
Gran Meliá Lombok is a partnership between Spanish group, Meliá Hotels International, and local real estate firm, Invest Islands, and will become the first internationally-branded hotel to open in Torok Bay. Blending beachfront The five star beachfront resort will...
Wyndham reaches highest ever pipeline levels
This represents a 12% growth year-on-year, including a 34% increase in the group’s home US market. Segmentation and geography Approximately 73% of developments are in the midscale and above segments overall, though this figure falls to 56% for the US. Around 60% of...
Lancaster Landmark reveals London hotel brand partner
When THP News recently spoke to the London group’s CEO, Fergus Stewart, he indicated that a deal had been signed with a major name, and now IHG’s Hotel Indigo has been unveiled as the new brand. Multi million renovation The 252-key site will now undergo a £45 million...