Hyatt Centric KK – Hap Seng’s first hotel
Published on: Monday, May 06, 2019
By: Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the State Government welcomes investors to implement development projects that will help to raise the economy and provide jobs for Sabahans.
As such, Shafie, who noted Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad (Hap Seng) as a well-known company both locally and abroad, said: “For you to enter the challenging hotel industry in support of the Government’s initiatives to develop Sabah and to create job opportunities, is indeed welcome.”
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He said projects such as this indicated the Government’s seriousness in developing Sabah with the private sector, describing it as a strategic alliance.
He commended and congratulated Hap Seng for responding to his call for private sector investment in the hospitality industry.
“I would like to tell the people behind Hap Seng that Sabah appreciates your contribution. I’m sure that in time to come, there will be more and bigger commitment from you,” he said when launching the groundbreaking ceremony for Hap Seng’s very first hotel, here, Sunday.
He said this would go a long way to attract visitors and investors to Sabah, in addition to creating business and job opportunities for Sabahans.
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“I am sure most of the staff will be Sabahans and that most of the raw materials required for your food outlets will be Sabah produced. There are many Sabahans who are working in senior positions in the hotel industry overseas.
“With more hotels like Hyatt Centric, I am sure you will be able to lure our people back to Sabah so that they can work here and be closer to their families,” said Shafie.
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Hyatt on Sunday announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Hap Seng to develop a Hyatt Centric hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
Expected to open in 2021, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu will be the first Hyatt Centric hotel in Malaysia and will connect savvy, in-the-now guests with share-worthy experiences at and around the property.
Situated in the heart of the city, the 22-storey hotel with 220 guestrooms will offer convenient access to the commercial district, shopping malls, restaurants and other local attractions, with Jesselton Point within a walking distance and the airport just 10km away.
The hotel will also feature an all-day lounge and restaurant, more than 1,900 square feet of meeting space, a rooftop swimming pool and a bar with views of the South China Sea, and a fitness centre.
Meanwhile, Hyatt Senior Vice President Operations Asia Pacific, Tom Smith, said:
“On behalf of Hyatt, we are so excited to have a second property in Kota Kinabalu after our 40 years of history here. We look forward to that, the opportunity looks very bright. To the leadership of the Chief Minister, we say thank you.”
“The partnership we have with Hap Seng is very deep and collaborative and through the success of the collaboration, we can only see bright lights ahead,” he said.
Also present was Hap Seng Chairman Dato’ Jorgen Bornhoft, who said “We’re honoured to announce plans to fly the first Hyatt Centric flag in Malaysia and, more importantly, the very first hotel by Hap Seng.”
“Leaving no stone unturned, we have decided to engage the world-renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, to design the hotel. We hope this speaks Hap Seng’s commitment to bring a best-in-class experience to Sabah while creating job opportunities and driving tourism,” he said.
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