JOHOR (Oct 16): Ormond Group, the hospitality arm of ECM Libra Group Bhd (KL:ECM), broke ground for the 396-key Ormond Desaru resort in Johor on Friday. 

The resort is slated to open in 4Q2029 and is the first third-party investment in the Desaru Coast master plan.

As Ormond Group’s first resort-style property, ECM Libra Group group CEO Gareth Lim explained that Desaru Coast’s existing infrastructure was key to their investment decision.

“There are actually very few places in Malaysia where you have this quality of beach with all the infrastructure ready. So, this is an opportunity to expand our product, expand our Ormond DNA and ethos,” said Lim at the ceremony on Friday. 

While the average daily rate (ADR) has not been finalised, Lim told the press that Ormond is targeting an underserved segment of the market in Desaru Coast.

“We are here to widen the market. The current offering in Desaru and Desaru Coast is quite bifurcated — there’s the high-end and the outpost hotels, but a big middle market is currently underserved, and that’s where we want to be. By positioning ourselves in that middle segment, we can make it as accessible as possible,” he said.

The 9.1-acre beachfront resort forms part of Phase 1 of the Desaru Coast master plan, led by master developer Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd (DRH).

Targeted primarily at young families, the hotel is owned and being developed by ECM Libra Group’s subsidiary, Desaru Beachfront Sdn Bhd. Ormond Group will manage and operate the property under the Ormond brand.

The resort is being designed by Post Company, HL Design Group, and Philippe Villeroux — the team behind The Chow Kit — an Ormond Hotel. Room offerings will feature spacious layouts tailored for families, anchored by a signature 1,400 sq ft two-bedroom suite with private balconies.

Facilities will include a signature restaurant serving local culinary offerings, an all-day dining venue, a beach bar, an infinity-edge main pool, a kids’ club, a 300-pax capacity ballroom, meeting rooms, and an event lawn.

Portfolio brands under the Ormond Group currently include The Chow Kit, MoMo’s, Tune Hotels, Ormond Sandakan and The RuMa Hotel and Residences.

Ormond Desaru will be situated next to The Westin Desaru and sits within the broader 4,000-acre Desaru Coast master plan managed by Desaru Development Holdings Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of DRH under Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

Other upcoming developments in this phase of the master plan include a new karting circuit — backed by a RM10 million lease-and-build investment structure by Singapore-based Arina International Holding Pte Ltd, which has supported the Singapore F1 circuit since 2008 and runs the KF1 Kranji circuit in Singapore — alongside a racquet club. 

Both facilities are expected to open their doors by the end of 2026.