Shangri-La expands Malaysian portfolio. Thursday, 26th November 2009 Source : Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Asia Pacific’s luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed an agreement with Themed Attractions and Resorts to open, and operate Traders Hotel, Puteri Harbour, Iskandar, Malaysia. 

This marks the first international hotel in the newly developed area of Nusajaya, Malaysia, and the only hotel to be associated with Malaysia’s soon-to-be-built first family indoor theme park.

Set to open in 2012, the four-storey 292-room Traders Hotel will be located in the heart of Nusajaya, one of the five flagship zones in Iskandar Malaysia, in the waterfront precinct and will form part of an integrated complex that comprises an indoor theme park, a family entertainment centre and a 100,000-square-foot retail centre. 

Puteri Harbour will also house a water transport terminal and three marinas in the near future.  The hotel will be a 15-minute drive from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link, the bridge that connects Singapore and Johor, Malaysia; approximately a 35-minute drive from Senai International Airport; and a 3-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

“The Traders brand is well known around the world, and as Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya, establishes itself as one of the newest tourism zones in Malaysia, we are excited to be helping to develop this dynamic region.  We look forward to working hand in hand with Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd (TAR) to create an unforgettable integrated experience for families and tourists to the area,” said Madhu Rao, managing director and chief executive officer, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. 

The hotel guestrooms at Traders Hotel, Puteri Harbour, Iskandar, Malaysia will be a minimum of 36 square metres, with a selection of themed rooms.  Food and beverage outlets will include an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge, a sky lounge and a bar. 

A 620-square-metre ballroom and a range of function rooms suited for small to large events will cater to Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) guests.  Recreational facilities such as a rooftop swimming pool, a health club, and a rooftop garden will also be available.

The 60,000-square-foot indoor theme park will feature world-renowned and popular children’s characters in three main areas: Hello Kitty Town, showcasing Hello Kitty and friends by Sanrio; the Little Big Club featuring HIT Entertainment's Thomas and Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Pingu and Angelina Ballerina; and a themed family restaurant by popular local cartoonist, Lat.

A new development area west of Johor Bahru, Nusajaya comprises over 10,000 hectares and is envisioned as a fully integrated city with a world-class environment for business, living and leisure, upon its completion.