JOHOR BAHRU (May 19): United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand) has soft launched the 5-star Amari Johor Bahru at its Suasana Iskandar development on May 15. The hotel is a collaboration between the developer and ONYX Hospitality Group.
According to UMLand group director for sales and marketing Michael Cheng, the official launch of Amari Johor will be in two months’ time with more of its 242 rooms to be opened.
“The hotel is part of the 1.49-acre Suasana Iskandar mixed development where we will also have the residences and the retail components below the hotel levels,” he told TheEdgeProperty.com.
The RM500 million Suasana Iskandar mixed-use development is located on Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Trus in Johor Bahru city centre.
The hotel marks ONYX Hospitality’s debut in Malaysia.
“As ONYX Hospitality Group continues to expand its presence in the Asia Pacific region, the opening of Amari Johor Bahru demonstrates the growing regional appeal of our portfolio of brands.
“This opening will pave the way for the upcoming OZO Medini and Shama Medini hotels at the UM Medini City Lakeside Complex in the nearby Iskandar area, also developed in partnership with UMLand,” said ONYX Hospitality Group chief executive officer Douglas Martell.
The other components of Suasana Iskandar include Zenith, a 2-storey entertainment and retail hub and 342 units of serviced residences taking up 36 storeys.
Called Suasana Residence, Cheng said there are only about 60 serviced apartment units left. They are priced between RM1,100 psf and RM1,300 psf. The built-ups range from 644 sq ft to 1,238 sq ft. It will be completed by the end of this year.
“Having said that, the management has chosen to retain 90 units of the serviced apartment located on that top floors".
As for Zenith, it is already 70% occupied and Cheng expects full occupancy by July or August.
“We have a very positive outlook of this area, and ever since the announcement on the construction of the link bridge in the Ibrahim International Business District, the value of this area will increase,” he said.
“For this whole development to work, this is what we are selling — the convenience of a hotel, then downstairs where you can get your food and you cut across the street you can hop on the train from JB Sentral and go into Singapore,” he added.
Suasana Iskandar is a 30-minute drive from Senai International Airport and 80-minute drive from Singapore's Changi Airport.
It is surrounded by amenities such as the Persada Convention Centre, Komtar Johor Bahru City Centre, City Square shopping centre. The JB Sentral Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex is within walking distance.