This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 7, 2023 - August 13, 2023

Holiday Inn Sepang-Airport is set to open its doors this quarter. The RM130 million hotel is one of 11 that IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to open in Malaysia in the next two years, says hotel general manager Louis Chew.

Situated in Kota Warisan in Salak Tinggi, the new hotel is a 12-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and will cater for layover passengers, airline crew, event companies and visitors.

In an email interview with City & Country, Chiew says, “Holiday Inn is one of the most recognised hotel brands in the world. We strive to be the global beacon of mainstream travel that champions meaningful connections for all, offering a warm, consistent experience at our hotels worldwide, including here at Holiday Inn Sepang-Airport. Our guests, whether travelling for business or leisure, can expect great value and stay experience. We welcome them with flexible work and meeting spaces, and for families, we have our ‘Kids Stay & Eat Free’ programme for children below 12.”

Holiday Inn Sepang-Airport, which sits on a 1.9-acre parcel and has 19 storeys, boasts 253 guest rooms, two F&B outlets, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a holding lounge for house guests and over 7,535 sq ft of meeting and conference facilities, which include a ballroom that can accommodate up to 400 people.

The rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as high-speed WiFi, portable smartphone charger, smart TV and premium bedding and pillow options. The presidential suite is on the 18th floor.

The hotel is accessible via two main highways: the Maju Expressway (MEX) and the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE). Nearby commercial hubs and business districts include KL city centre, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Putrajaya.

Why build a Holiday Inn in this particular area? 

“The development of Kota Warisan has been moving at pace as Sepang grows from strength to strength to become a key commercial hub of Greater Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is well poised to capture demand from transit guests, corporate companies and event organisers seeking to capitalise on the area’s interconnectivity, increasing populations in various areas, reputable housing developments and commercial buildings in the vicinity,” Chiew says.

He adds that the hotel is targeting Malaysian travellers as well as leisure and business travellers from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. “Apart from that, there will be an influx of motorsport spectators and enthusiasts to the nearby Sepang International Circuit, home of MotoGP in Malaysia, as well as  international students from Xiamen University and Concorde College [in nearby Sunsuria City] who are looking for longer stay options.”

Chiew explains that Holiday Inn Sepang-Airport is the only hotel in Kota Warisan that offers a scheduled shuttle service to and from the airport and Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang.

To minimise its impact on the environment and ensure sustainability, the group has moved away from miniature bath amenities and single-use plastics as part of its 10-year Journey to Tomorrow business plan. This business plan was launched in 2021 to help shape the future of responsible travel together with those who stay, work and partner with IHG. Aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), it is a framework that helps the brand focus on delivering its purpose of True Hospitality for Good in five key areas: people; communities; carbon and energy; waste; and water. It is a plan that reflects the needs of IHG’s communities, from supporting social change to advancing human rights and protecting the planet now and for generations.

“Our top priority during the opening would be to extend the warm, welcoming and consistent hospitality that Holiday Inn is known for globally to all guests and introduce them to Holiday Inn Sepang-Airport, says Chiew, adding that the success of the hotel’s opening will depend on the team itself.

He explains that the assembling of a top-tier team requires careful planning, thorough interviewing and effective management, and it takes time and effort with continuous investment in the team’s development to ensure that each member feels valued and motivated by providing opportunities to build careers.

“My team also has access to IHG’s global operations standards and best-in-class training such as the new IHG university that opened earlier this year to help our colleagues build skills and capabilities,” he adds.

Chiew believes that successful hotel management necessitates a people-oriented mindset, a positive outlook and a foundation built on first-hand experience.

“A thriving hotel prioritises guest satisfaction, generates revenue and ensures a strong return on investment. By cultivating a happy and motivated staff, we can provide exceptional customer service,” says Chiew.

IHG Hotels & Resorts will also be looking at further expanding its hotel chain, with upcoming hotel developments in the planning stage. Further information on these will be disclosed later, he says.

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