Following the opening of Amari Johor Bahru, Onyx Hospitality Group is expanding its Malay footprint with signed agreements with local developers, SP Setia Berhad, to oversee development of two new Amari hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Slated for completion by the end of Q2 in 2021, the 252 rooms and suites of the Amari Kuala Lumpur will be located in the KL Eco City mixed-use landmark project, a 25-acre ‘green’ development. It will have direct access to corporate office buildings, residential towers, a retail mall and an ‘integrated rail hub with’ for local and intercity connections.

The 453-room Amari Penang, expected to open in 2021, is on target to become “the world’s first hybrid solar powered convention centre. And will host 10,000-seat event hall, an aquatic and sports centre, a lifestyle and shopping mall – all of this is connected to the Setia SPICE Convention Centre – making the new location a must for MICE planners.

Both hotels will feature key Amari brand signatures including service from Amari Hosts, the street market-style Amaya Food Gallery, Cascade lounge, creative meetings facilities and generous indoor and outdoor space thoughtfully designed for sharing and informal gatherings. Other facilities include pools and terraces, as well as fully equipped fitness centres.

Douglas Martell (above, second from right), president and chief executive officer for Onyx Hospitality Group, said: “In a market as dynamic as Malaysia, we are proud to establish a dual-property deal with world-renowned SP Setia to bring our flagship Amari experience to two premium locations in the gateway cities of Kuala Lumpur and Penang.”

“Since launching our first hotel in Malaysia with the opening of Amari Johor Bahru, we are continuing our commitment to this market with the upcoming opening of OZO and Shama properties in Iskandar, Johor, as well as an OZO hotel in Penang’s Georgetown. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with SP Setia for Amari Kuala Lumpur and Amari Penang, and to having three of our core ONYX brands present across some of the most popular business and leisure travel destinations in Peninsula Malaysia,” Martell added.

Dato’ Khor Chap Jen (above, second from left), president and chief executive officer of SP Setia Berhad, said: “Setia has grown leaps and bounds in property development sector, and the need for having hotels is a natural progression for SP Setia Bhd Group as we grow from developing townships and expand into integrated developments. The Amari hotel in Kuala Lumpur will be developed as part of KL Eco City in the capital’s Mid Valley district, while the Amari hotel in Penang will offer direct connectivity to the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.”