Ascott has been appointed by Coronade Properties to manage the hotel in the Coronation Square integrated development in Johor Bahru.
Located in the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD) within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the hotel will be directly linked to the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
The collaboration is the first major hospitality partnership since the JS-SEZ agreement between Malaysia and Singapore in January 2025. It also marks the debut of the Ascott brand in Johor Bahru and will be the sixth Ascott-branded property in Malaysia. The other five Ascott-branded properties are in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Ascott manages more than 40 properties in Malaysia, both operating and in the pipeline.
Ascott Coronation Square Johor Bahru will have 207 rooms within Tower 1 of Coronation Square, in the IIBD of the JS-SEZ. It is scheduled to open in 2H2029 and will have an all-day dining restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre, residents’ lounge and meeting rooms.
Coronation Square is a five billion ringgit (US$1.07 billion) integrated development by Coronade Properties and is the first project in the 101-hectare IIBD. The 3.9-hectare development will comprise hotel, medical, office and residential components, as well as the 111,500m² Coronation Square Mall. Construction of the mall will begin in 2026 and is targeted for completion in 2030. The development will be connected to the RTS station at Bukit Chagar and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facilities via a 210-metre elevated walkway. It will also have basement parking for about 4,500 vehicles, with around 700 bays reserved for RTS users.
Paduka Alinah Ahmad, director of corporate relations, Coronade Properties, said: “As Coronation Square develops into a vibrant destination, this partnership marks an exciting new chapter in Johor’s hospitality and real estate landscape.”
Wong Kar Ling, chief strategy officer and managing director for Southeast Asia, Ascott, added: “With the JS-SEZ catalysing greater cross-border investments and the RTS enhancing connectivity, Johor Bahru is entering a dynamic new phase of growth. Ascott Coronation Square Johor Bahru allows us to introduce our namesake Ascott brand to this market, positioning us at the heart of this transformation to capture rising demand from corporate, long-stay and leisure segments.
“Ascott’s presence in Malaysia continues to deepen, with over 40 properties in operation and in the pipeline. We are committed to expanding our footprint with high-quality developments that meet the evolving expectations of discerning travellers visiting the country.”
