KUALA LUMPUR (Sep 28): IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a two-hotel portfolio agreement with King Park Hotel Sdn Bhd, marking the debut of its Garner brand and the launch of its franchise operating model in Malaysia, according to a press statement issued on Sept 23, 2026.

King Park Hotel is a subsidiary of Hass Enterprise Sdn Bhd, a privately owned investment group headquartered in Miri, Sarawak.

Under the agreement, the 202-room Garner Hotel Kota Kinabalu will be rebranded from King Park Hotel Kota Kinabalu, featuring 106 rooms opening in 2027 and an additional 96 rooms in 2029.

Meanwhile, the 140-room Holiday Inn Express Tawau will mark IHG's first hotel in Tawau when it opens in 2028 following an extensive refurbishment of King Park Hotel Tawau.

IHG South East Asia & Korea vice-president of development Bryan Chan said: "The introduction of franchising marks an important milestone in IHG's growth across Southeast Asia, enabling us to unlock more conversion and repositioning opportunities across both independent and internationally branded hotel assets".

Chan added that the agreement increases IHG's presence in Kota Kinabalu to five open and pipeline hotels, while establishing its first footprint in Tawau.

King Park Hotel spokesperson said: "Kota Kinabalu continues to attract robust international and domestic travel, underpinned by its position as Sabah's gateway to leading leisure destinations such as Mount Kinabalu and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Tawau is a key commercial centre on the state's east coast and its accessibility to world class diving locations and nature attractions presents Tawau with significant growth potential".

The two new properties expand IHG's footprint in Malaysia to more than 20 open and pipeline hotels across city and resort destinations.