Grand Opening of Holiday Inn Express & Suites

 

After its soft opening on 15 December 2021, the first Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Malaysia was officially declared opened in Johor Baru in a simple ceremony on 24 March 2022.

 

At the grand opening event [L to R] Melanie
Rahayu, Ivan Ting, Datuk Mohd Noorazam
Osman and Sandra Kloprogge

The grand opening of Holiday Inn Express & Suites, a collaboration between the OSK Group and the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), was witnessed by Johor Baru Mayor, Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman, Chief Operating Officer of OSK Group, Ivan Ting, IHG Regional General Manager for Malaysia and Singapore, Sandra Kloprogge, and hotel General Manager, Melanie Rahayu.

 

In his opening address, Datuk Mohd Noorazam said that the timing for the hotel’s official opening was just right as it was only a week ahead of the border reopening with neighbouring Singapore on April 1.

 

The ceremony, which kicked off with a Malay cultural dance, closed with the signing of a commemorative plaque by Datuk Mohd Noorazam and the presentation of a souvenir in appreciation for his presence at the event.

Datuk Mohd Noorazam presenting his
Opening Address at the grand opening event

Located at Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti, Holiday Inn Express & Suites is close to shopping malls like KOMTAR JBCC and Johor Baru City Square, the Persada International Convention Centre, government offices like KWSP or Employees Provident Fund, and the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) as well as walking distance to the city’s charming heritage quarter.

 

The hotel is also a short walk away from the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration & Quarantine (CIQ) Complex which houses the checkpoint into Singapore and the railway station, and the nearby Singapore-Johor Baru Rapid Transit System (RTS) terminal, which is currently under construction.

 

Facade of the hotel at Jalan
Syed Mohd Mufti in Johor Baru

The 203-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites is where leisure and business travellers can expect efficient and seamless experiences with a speedy check-in, a good night’s rest, power showers and the convenience of complimentary Wi-Fi connection.

 

“We are delighted to be able to bring the brand experience of IHG and integrate it with the best of Malaysian hospitality,” said Ting who is confident that guests who want a smart, simple and comfortable place to stay, will make this hotel their first choice among others.

 

Meanwhile this hotel is also the latest addition to one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG Rewards, and Kloprogge was pleased that members can earn and redeem points at this hotel and nearly 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries within a family of 17 hotel brands.

 

A burst of confetti after the commemorative
plaque was signed by the Johor Baru City Mayor

“I am excited to unveil Holiday Inn Express & Suites as the latest addition to the IHG Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of hotels in Johor Baru, one of the most vibrant cities in Malaysia,” said Melanie.

 

“Our hotel concept will enable even more business and leisure travellers to experience a smarter way of travelling as we provide what matters most to travellers,” she added.

 

This hotel aims to be the smarter choice among travel-savvy guests who are seeking a simple and engaging place to rest, recharge and get a little work done.

 

A convenient footpath that links Jalan Syed 
Mohd Mufti with Jalan Dato Dalam

Comfortable accommodation is provided in a range of Standard Rooms with Queen or Twin beds, One-bedroom suites and Two-bedroom suites and there is even a spacious Accessible Room, specially equipped for physically disabled and elderly guests.

 

While this may be a smaller hotel, it is equipped with a restaurant, a Meeting Space, ideal for hosting corporate and social events for up to 120 people, as well as Fitness Centre and Laundry Room, both open 24 hours for the guests’ convenience.

 

As the world adjusts to new travel norms and expectations, the hotel has adopted the IHG Clean Promise standards to maintain cleanliness and provide guests with greater confidence and protection.

 

In addition to the IHG Clean Promise, the hotel also uses new, science-led protocols and service measures in partnership with industry leading experts like Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey.

 

The happy hotel team in a group shot after the grand opening event

The hotel has the advantage of dual road frontages so while its entrance is from Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti, access to the carpark is through Jalan Dato Dalam.

 

Guests who arrive on foot by way of Jalan Dato Dalam can take a convenient footpath via a flight of stairs and covered walkway, located next to the building to reach the front of the hotel at Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti.

 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Baru is located at Lot 512, Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti, 80000 Johor Baru, Johor. For reservations, Tel: +607 218 3333 or email to: holidayinnexpress.com/johorbahru

 

For more info and latest news, visit the hotel’s Newsroom or follow the hotel’s page on Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter.