AC Hotels debuts in Malaysia with trio of properties

The AC Hotels by Marriott brand, rebranded from its previous name Vistana, recently made its debut in Malaysia with the opening of a trio of properties in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Pahang.

The properties – AC Hotel Kuala Lumpur Titiwangsa, AC Hotel Penang Bukit Jambul, AC Hotel Kuantan City Centre – also mark the Spanish brand’s entry into the Asia-Pacific region.

From left: Asia Pacific Marriott International’s Peter Gassner, Ambassador of Spain to Malaysia José Miguel Corvinos Lafuente, Marriott International & YTL Hotels’ Mahmoud Skaf, alongside colleagues Sharon Ang, Kirinjit Singh and Samantha Wong, at the launch of AC Hotel Kuala Lumpur Titiwangsa

Mahmoud Skaf, area general manager of Marriott International & YTL Hotels, shared that YTL Hotels is the sole franchisee of the upscale AC Hotel brand in Malaysia.

He added that the company plans to open 15 to 18 hotels across all 13 states in Malaysia within the decade.

Despite the AC Hotels brand being well-known in Europe and the US, much work has to be done to drum up publicity in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of tourist arrivals in Malaysia, said Skaf.

The rebranding from Vistana to AC Hotels was a “seamless” one, with the three former Vistana hotels having gone through major refurbishments over the last three years with the brand change in mind, according to Skaf.

The rebranding exercise boasts numerous benefits: Besides the marketability of an international brand to global travellers, guests also gain access to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme.

Targeted at the business traveller, the AC Hotels feature a lounge which serves tapas and drinks through the day, as well as meeting spaces. All three hotels are introducing a fresh take on corporate meeting packages that incorporate team building programmes to facilitate team work and boost team performance outings and participation.

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