By Sharen Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR: Thistle Hotel Johor Bahru, a 380-room landmark and one of the city's most recognisable hospitality names, has officially ceased operations as of Sept 30, 2025, marking the end of an era in Johor's hotel landscape.
In a farewell note posted on its website, the management said the closure was part of business planning efforts, adding that JB Parade Sdn Bhd, the entity managing the hotel, would remain in operation for the near term.
"After years of memories and meaningful connections, Thistle Johor Bahru will close its doors on Sept 30. Thank you for being part of our journey. The Thistle spirit lives on at Thistle Port Dickson Resort," the statement read.
The closure comes shortly after YTL Hotels, the hospitality arm of YTL Corp Bhd, confirmed its RM150 million acquisition of the property and its land parcel from Singapore's GuocoLand Ltd. The divestment, disclosed in a Singapore Exchange (SGX) filing, will see GuocoLand book a net gain of RM35 million (S$11 million).
For YTL Hotels, the acquisition marks a strategic expansion milestone in Johor, a state undergoing rapid transformation through mega infrastructure projects, the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), and the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, expected to boost cross-border travel and tourism.
Thistle Johor Bahru was originally known as the Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru before it was rebranded as Thistle in 2009.
The UK-based Thistle Hotels group took over management, marking its first foray into Southeast Asia, and the property was positioned as a premium business and leisure hotel close to the Johor–Singapore Causeway.
Located along Jalan Sungai Chat, the 17-storey property is slated for a major refurbishment and will be relaunched in 2026 as a flagship five-star hotel.
The refurbished property will offer premium rooms, curated dining, state-of-the-art event spaces, and lifestyle-driven leisure facilities, positioning itself as a premier destination for both international and domestic guests.
With YTL Hotels at the helm, the new Thistle Johor Bahru is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Johor's appeal as a rising tourism and investment hub, aligning with the state's rapid urban development and growing regional profile.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/property/2025/10/1285014/thistle-johor-bahru-shuts-down-paving-way-ytl-hotels-revamp
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