Alila eyes projects in Batu Ferringhi and Langkawi

By Sharen Kaur

sharen@nstp.com.my

Published in NST on March 12, 2013

SINGAPORE-BASED Alila Hotels & Resorts is in discussions with property developers to help develop and manage tourism-based projects in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, and Langkawi.

According to its vice-president for development, Arjan De Boer, the company plans to work hand-in-hand with the developers and recommend designers for various parts of the project to implement a feasible development.

De Boer said Alila, set up in 2002, will also offer its technical expertise for the developments.

"We will do our own feasibility study and financial projections, among others, for each development we embark on. There is no time line, but we are working on closing the deals soon. We find Malaysia a great place to do business and are bullish on the prospects," De Boer told Business Times.

This is not the first time Alila is planning hotel and resort developments in Malaysia. It has a deal with private developer Tekun Cemerlang Sdn Bhd to establish Alila Dalit Bay in Kota Kinabalu.

Alila also has an agreement with Singapore's Keystone Land Developments Sdn Bhd to manage hotel rooms at its project in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.

Dubbed Alila Bangsar @ The Establishment, the company will manage 124 rooms in 2016.

"We would like to manage a second hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysians appreciate good designs and lifestyle facilities, which we can offer. The Alila brand is not new here. We have a large following of Malaysians for our resorts in Bali," De Boer.

De Boer said the hallmark of Alila is stylish and relaxing environments and superb hospitality.

"The name Alila comes from Sanskrit meaning 'surprise', which describes the refreshing character of our properties and the reaction of our guests upon arrival and throughout their stay with us," he said.


Alila currently manages four boutique hotels and resorts in Bali, two in Jakarta, Indonesia, and one each in Goa and Bangalore in India.

De Boer said Alila is targeting to manage 22 properties by 2016.

Besides the two properties in Malaysia, it plans to manage five resorts in China, one in Cambodia and the rest within the existing markets.

He said Alila will continue to be quality-driven with the focus on its two brands - Alila and Alila Villas.

"We are not quantity-driven but rather are focused on being a niche player, competing with the likes of Aman Resort, Bulgari and St Regis," he said.