KUCHING, Malaysia — IHG Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its presence in Malaysia with the opening of voco Kuching, introducing its premium voco brand to the country while expanding its footprint in one of East Malaysia's growing hospitality and business event destinations. The 321-room property marks IHG's first voco hotel in Malaysia and its return to Kuching after 16 years, reinforcing the company's regional expansion strategy across multiple brand segments.
Developed in partnership with Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, voco Kuching occupies a redeveloped property that was formerly the independent Century Hotel. The opening represents another milestone for IHG as it continues to broaden its premium and lifestyle portfolio across Southeast Asia while increasing its presence in Malaysia, where the company now operates 13 hotels with another eight in its development pipeline.
Located only minutes from Kuching International Airport, the hotel enters the market as Sarawak continues to develop its tourism infrastructure while also strengthening its position as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). The property's location provides direct access to both business and leisure demand, positioning it to serve corporate travelers, event organizers, and international visitors arriving through the city's primary aviation gateway.
The opening also reflects the continued expansion of the voco brand worldwide. Since announcing its Malaysia debut, voco hotels has continued its international growth and recently reached the milestone of 100 open hotels globally. Regional additions including voco Bangkok Surawong and voco Bandung Setiabudi have further expanded the brand's presence across Asia, with voco Kuching becoming the latest addition to its premium portfolio.
Magdalina Chung, General Manager of voco Kuching, said the hotel is intended to become more than an accommodation provider by creating a place where travelers and local communities can connect and share experiences. She also noted that the opening represents the combined efforts of hundreds of individuals involved in delivering Malaysia's first voco property.
Designed by award-winning hospitality design studio SL+A Hotels, the property's interiors draw inspiration from Sarawak's cultural identity and traditional craftsmanship while presenting a contemporary hospitality environment. Soft architectural curves, layered textures, and locally influenced design elements are incorporated throughout the hotel to reflect the character of the state while aligning with the voco brand's premium positioning.
The guest experience follows the brand's three defining concepts: "come on in," "me time," and "voco life." Upon arrival, guests receive a signature welcome treat inspired by local heritage, consisting of a bear-shaped bahulu prepared with Gula Apong and presented in handcrafted woven holders produced by indigenous artisans. The arrival experience is complemented by streamlined check-in procedures intended to provide an efficient start to each stay.
Accommodation comprises 321 guestrooms and suites, including premium balcony rooms alongside one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Guestrooms feature dedicated work areas as well as lounge spaces designed to support both business and leisure travelers.
Food and beverage offerings are anchored by LUMA, the hotel's signature restaurant, which combines local culinary influences with international flavors. Guests also have access to AMPM, a café and bar operating throughout the day and evening, while outdoor leisure facilities include a swimming pool surrounded by cabanas.
Beyond accommodation, voco Kuching significantly expands Kuching's event infrastructure through more than 2,400 square meters of meeting and function space. The facilities include the Rainforest Ballroom, one of the city's largest hotel ballrooms, capable of accommodating up to 1,350 guests for conferences, corporate functions, exhibitions, and large-scale celebrations. Additional meeting rooms provide further flexibility for business events of varying sizes.
The scale of the conference facilities positions the property to support Sarawak's expanding business events sector while increasing venue options for corporate organizers seeking integrated accommodation and event capabilities. Combined with its proximity to the international airport, the hotel provides additional infrastructure to serve domestic and international conferences hosted in Kuching.
Sustainability initiatives have also been incorporated into the property's operations in line with voco hotels' "step by step" sustainability approach. The hotel features filtered drinking water systems, premium organic bulk bath amenities supplied by Apotheke, and pillows and duvets filled with recycled materials as part of its operational sustainability measures.
The opening aligns with IHG Hotels & Resorts' broader growth strategy in Malaysia across multiple market segments. In addition to expanding its premium portfolio through voco, the company continues to strengthen its presence with upcoming introductions of Regent and Vignette Collection brands, complementing its existing portfolio across luxury, premium, and mainstream hospitality categories.
The company's Malaysian portfolio now spans multiple brands serving different traveler segments while supporting continued development across key destinations nationwide. The addition of voco Kuching further extends that network into Sarawak, expanding IHG's presence in East Malaysia through a premium offering tailored to both corporate and leisure markets.
For Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, the opening represents the transformation of an existing hospitality asset into an internationally branded premium hotel. The redevelopment introduces a globally recognized hotel brand to Kuching while integrating contemporary hospitality design, expanded event infrastructure, and upgraded guest facilities into the local accommodation market.
The project also contributes additional capacity to Kuching's hospitality sector as the city continues to attract both tourism and business demand. Its combination of premium accommodation, extensive meeting facilities, and airport accessibility provides new options for corporate travel programs, regional conferences, incentive events, and business gatherings hosted in Sarawak.
As Malaysia's first voco hotel begins operations, the opening strengthens IHG Hotels & Resorts' regional development strategy while expanding premium hospitality offerings in Kuching. Through its partnership with Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, the project adds international brand presence, large-scale event capabilities, and contemporary accommodation to one of East Malaysia's key commercial and tourism destinations, supporting continued growth across the country's hospitality and business events sectors.
Developed in partnership with Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, voco Kuching occupies a redeveloped property that was formerly the independent Century Hotel. The opening represents another milestone for IHG as it continues to broaden its premium and lifestyle portfolio across Southeast Asia while increasing its presence in Malaysia, where the company now operates 13 hotels with another eight in its development pipeline.
Located only minutes from Kuching International Airport, the hotel enters the market as Sarawak continues to develop its tourism infrastructure while also strengthening its position as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). The property's location provides direct access to both business and leisure demand, positioning it to serve corporate travelers, event organizers, and international visitors arriving through the city's primary aviation gateway.
The opening also reflects the continued expansion of the voco brand worldwide. Since announcing its Malaysia debut, voco hotels has continued its international growth and recently reached the milestone of 100 open hotels globally. Regional additions including voco Bangkok Surawong and voco Bandung Setiabudi have further expanded the brand's presence across Asia, with voco Kuching becoming the latest addition to its premium portfolio.
Magdalina Chung, General Manager of voco Kuching, said the hotel is intended to become more than an accommodation provider by creating a place where travelers and local communities can connect and share experiences. She also noted that the opening represents the combined efforts of hundreds of individuals involved in delivering Malaysia's first voco property.
Designed by award-winning hospitality design studio SL+A Hotels, the property's interiors draw inspiration from Sarawak's cultural identity and traditional craftsmanship while presenting a contemporary hospitality environment. Soft architectural curves, layered textures, and locally influenced design elements are incorporated throughout the hotel to reflect the character of the state while aligning with the voco brand's premium positioning.
The guest experience follows the brand's three defining concepts: "come on in," "me time," and "voco life." Upon arrival, guests receive a signature welcome treat inspired by local heritage, consisting of a bear-shaped bahulu prepared with Gula Apong and presented in handcrafted woven holders produced by indigenous artisans. The arrival experience is complemented by streamlined check-in procedures intended to provide an efficient start to each stay.
Accommodation comprises 321 guestrooms and suites, including premium balcony rooms alongside one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Guestrooms feature dedicated work areas as well as lounge spaces designed to support both business and leisure travelers.
Food and beverage offerings are anchored by LUMA, the hotel's signature restaurant, which combines local culinary influences with international flavors. Guests also have access to AMPM, a café and bar operating throughout the day and evening, while outdoor leisure facilities include a swimming pool surrounded by cabanas.
Beyond accommodation, voco Kuching significantly expands Kuching's event infrastructure through more than 2,400 square meters of meeting and function space. The facilities include the Rainforest Ballroom, one of the city's largest hotel ballrooms, capable of accommodating up to 1,350 guests for conferences, corporate functions, exhibitions, and large-scale celebrations. Additional meeting rooms provide further flexibility for business events of varying sizes.
The scale of the conference facilities positions the property to support Sarawak's expanding business events sector while increasing venue options for corporate organizers seeking integrated accommodation and event capabilities. Combined with its proximity to the international airport, the hotel provides additional infrastructure to serve domestic and international conferences hosted in Kuching.
Sustainability initiatives have also been incorporated into the property's operations in line with voco hotels' "step by step" sustainability approach. The hotel features filtered drinking water systems, premium organic bulk bath amenities supplied by Apotheke, and pillows and duvets filled with recycled materials as part of its operational sustainability measures.
The opening aligns with IHG Hotels & Resorts' broader growth strategy in Malaysia across multiple market segments. In addition to expanding its premium portfolio through voco, the company continues to strengthen its presence with upcoming introductions of Regent and Vignette Collection brands, complementing its existing portfolio across luxury, premium, and mainstream hospitality categories.
The company's Malaysian portfolio now spans multiple brands serving different traveler segments while supporting continued development across key destinations nationwide. The addition of voco Kuching further extends that network into Sarawak, expanding IHG's presence in East Malaysia through a premium offering tailored to both corporate and leisure markets.
For Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, the opening represents the transformation of an existing hospitality asset into an internationally branded premium hotel. The redevelopment introduces a globally recognized hotel brand to Kuching while integrating contemporary hospitality design, expanded event infrastructure, and upgraded guest facilities into the local accommodation market.
The project also contributes additional capacity to Kuching's hospitality sector as the city continues to attract both tourism and business demand. Its combination of premium accommodation, extensive meeting facilities, and airport accessibility provides new options for corporate travel programs, regional conferences, incentive events, and business gatherings hosted in Sarawak.
As Malaysia's first voco hotel begins operations, the opening strengthens IHG Hotels & Resorts' regional development strategy while expanding premium hospitality offerings in Kuching. Through its partnership with Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, the project adds international brand presence, large-scale event capabilities, and contemporary accommodation to one of East Malaysia's key commercial and tourism destinations, supporting continued growth across the country's hospitality and business events sectors.
