Traders Hotel in Johor Bahru

Press Releases

Shangri-La Hotels And Resorts Signs Agreement To Open Traders Hotel, Puteri Harbour, Iskandar, Malaysia In 2012

25 Nov 2009

Updated: January 2012

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, has signed an agreement with Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd (TAR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad – the investment holding arm of the Government of Malaysia – 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 283-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 Greg Dogan, president and chief executive officer of Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited.

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.

.Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 30,000.  Traders hotels cater to today’s savvy and passionate traveller with brilliant simplicity and warm sincerity. They provide a friendly yet professional environment designed to complement guests at work, rest or play. Based in major business centres in Asia and the Middle East, Traders Hotels are the practical choice for business and leisure travellers.

Traders Hotels are located in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Changzhou, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Male, Manila, Penang, Shenyang, Singapore and Yangon, with scheduled openings in Chennai and Iskandar. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website atwww.tradershotels.com.

Legoland Malaysia now 40% complete

JOHOR BAHRU (Dec 7, 2011): Legoland Malaysia, the RM720 million theme park taking shape here, is over 40% completed and is on track to be opened at the end of next year, with the developer targeting one million visitors in the first year of operation.

IDR Resorts Sdn Bhd CEO Muhammad Zainal Ashikin Muhammad Rejab said: "The development progress is tremendous. Our contractors are working double time and I can assure that we are on schedule. Overall, we are already past the 40% mark of the development progress."

He was speaking to reporters yesterday at the unveiling of the steelworks for its roller-coaster ride called Lego Technic Test Track.

Also present were Iskandar Investment Bhd president and CEO Datuk Syed Mohamed Ibrahim and Legoland Malaysia general manager Siegfried Boerst.

Legoland Malaysia, which will be the first Legoland in the Asia Pacific and the sixth in the world, is expected to grow into a key tourist attraction in the region, Muhammad Zainal said.

IDR Resort, a unit of Iskandar Investment, is responsible for the development of the 31ha theme park in Iskandar Malaysia in partnership with Merlin Entertainments Group.

Other Legoland theme parks are in Denmark, Britain, Germany, and Florida and California in the United States.

"We have many attractions in the park and it will be divided into seven themed areas such as Lego City, Miniland, Land of Adventure, Imagination, Lego Kingdom. The activities are the same as in other Legoland parks," said Boerst.

He said each themed area is designed to ensure that "heroes of all ages" will find much to explore and enjoy at the Lego experiment centres, roller-coasters, water attractions and shows.

He said Legoland Malaysia is doing promotions and roadshows locally and overseas from this month. Those interested can also get more information on its website, http://www.legoland.com.my/

The theme park, Boerst said, will also be launching its annual passes this month at a special discount for 2013.

The special prices are RM195 for adults, RM150 for children while a RM30 discount for MyKad holders is offered for a limited period.

The normal annual pass costs RM275 (adult) and RM210 (child), with a RM30 discount for MyKad holders.

Boerst said the entrance fee for an adult has been fixed at RM140, a child at RM110 and MyKad holders will get a RM30 rebate.

"Our target is to attract one million visitors in the first year. We are hoping to receive even more and we always looking at attracting as many as possible but we cannot give you the exact figure because this market is new for us," he said.

"Legoland Malaysia will not stay as it is when it is opened. We want to add new things in the park every year and we looking at adding a water park near the theme park. We have a lot of land for expansion in the next 10 to 15 years."

**Courtesy of http://www.thesundaily.my/news/231161

Johor Bahru - "Southern Gateway"

The Progression of the City of Johor Bahru have been tremendous lately as u compared to how u look at it in year 2000 onward. As the nation is emerging onto the progression path for a greater cause, the living cost have also hiked up and inevitably this has also increased the productivity rate which is good in some way. It is truly an honor and something to have the feel of pride as the city of Johor Bahru is transforming into a new "Southern Gateway" also known in malay as Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu.