KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Hotels & Properties Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of YTL Corp Bhd, will open the JW Marriott Hotel Johor Baru on Dec 1, 2026, following the signing of an agreement with Marriott International in Kuala Lumpur today.
The Johor Baru property will be the second JW Marriott in Malaysia after JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, further strengthening Marriott International’s luxury portfolio in the country, which already includes The Ritz-Carlton, The St. Regis and W Hotels.
The development underscores Marriott’s confidence in Malaysia’s tourism growth trajectory and supports its broader ambition to expand its luxury footprint across Asia Pacific. The new hotel is expected to accelerate Johor Baru’s luxury hospitality sector and elevate the city’s competitiveness as a premium destination, particularly given its proximity to Singapore.
YTL Hotels executive director Datuk Mark Yeoh Seok Kah said, “We bought the Thistle Hotel a few months ago and we completed the transaction on Dec 1. The work started yesterday (Dec 2) and we are working full speed to get it ready for the Dec 1 opening next year.”
The hotel company announced in September 2025 its RM150 million acquisition of the Thistle Johor Baru hotel from GuocoLand Ltd. It will convert the former 381-room property into a 410-room JW Marriott Hotel Johor Baru following an extensive transformation.
Yeoh said the company is pleased to continue its long-standing collaboration with Marriott International, noting that the project reflects both organisations’ shared vision of creating lasting value through world-class hospitality.
“We look forward to transforming this hotel into a sanctuary of modern luxury that embodies the essence of JW Marriott,” he added.
Marriott International’s senior vice president of development for Asia Pacific (excluding China), D. Shawn Hill, noted that demand for luxury accommodations is rising in secondary markets such as Johor Baru, supported by tourism growth and improved cross-border connectivity.
“We are seeing significant demand growth in many markets outside major cities. Johor Baru is a strategic location, as it is adjacent to Singapore and the upcoming rapid transit system (RTS) will reduce travel constraints by being just five minutes from Woodlands,” he said at the agreement signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Marriott International’s Asia Pacific (excluding China) president, Rajeev Menon, said the signing aligns with JW Marriott’s expansion into destinations with increasing business and leisure travel demand.
“This signing represents a strategic expansion of the brand in Malaysia, reinforcing our commitment to bringing transformative luxury experiences to destinations of growing business and leisure demand. Johor Baru’s strong connectivity and rising profile as a cross-border hub make it a natural fit for JW Marriott’s thoughtful and inspired brand positioning.”
The JW Marriott Johor Baru Hotel covers an area of 1.9 hectares with 410 rooms, including premium accommodation options with a contemporary concept and panoramic views of the city.
Other planned amenities include an executive lounge, a spa with five treatment rooms, hydrotherapy facilities, a modern fitness center, a resort-style swimming pool, tennis courts, three pickleball courts, and a kids’ club specifically for families.
The event space has also been enhanced with a total area of 2,517 square metres, comprising a 900 square metre main ballroom, a 600 square metre junior ballroom and 16 meeting rooms.
The hotel will offer seamless access to the city’s key commercial, leisure, and transport hubs. Just minutes from the upcoming Bukit Chagar Singapore-Johor Baru RTS station, the CIQ checkpoint, and Senai International Airport, its prime location places guests within easy reach of the city’s vibrant attractions.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
