29

Those who know Seksyen 16, Petaling Jaya would have seen the Eastin Hotel. Some of you might have even hosted events, meetings or other conventions. If not, you’re probably one of those hotel guests who have likely stayed and/or benefited from the facilities there.

The Eastin Hotel will gradually be no more, as it is set to undergo a transformation worth an estimated RM100 million. The owner of Eastin hotel has sold the property for approximately RM200 million.

The new Marriott hotel, a five-star well-known brand, is as agreed by the relevant parties – a subsidiary of TSM Global and Marriott International Inc, the Maryland-based multinational, which has a variety of hotel, vacation club and resort brands.

The new Marriott hotel will give tourists and travellers an improved experience in their stays, whether it’s for business or leisure.

Phase One of the refurbishment will see a transformation of the lobby as well as a number of guest rooms. This is expected to be finished by the end of 2025. Full completion is slated to happen by December 2026.

To date, the existing Eastin hotel which has 393 rooms is still operating, with renovation done in parts.

The existing Eastin hotel property opened its doors in 1998. Initially conceived as an apartment block, the owner (CP Group) had a change of mind and heart, once he saw the demand and need for quality accommodation. So, the owner changed the concept halfway through the planning stage to consider and address that need.

In 2009, Eastin Hotel in Penang was opened, following the achievements and success enjoyed by its main property under the Eastin Hotel Group. To date, there are no plans to switch things up for travellers to that particular property/location.

Soon your drive/journey to/around Seksyen 16, Petaling Jaya will no longer be just ordinary – as Marriott Hotel will offer you a different perspective, in line with its Wonderful Hospitality brand promise, making it something you cannot miss out on/resist.

So, set your sights on the new Marriott hotel, as the hospitality industry is set to rise again – moving past the pandemic and competing against other newer forms of vacation home types.

The spot is highly sought-after as it has better public transport connectivity today, as well as how the site leads road users to Damansara Utama, Bukit Kiara, as well as a well-known public university. There’s also the upscale areas of Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Bukit Damansara, and Bangsar, which are within reach.

Beyond elevating the hospitality experience, international bookings and returns are expected to be higher than before. This deal comes on the back of more domestic tourism and increased foreign arrivals. One of the aims is for the accommodation to be ready for those travelling in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026).

This development is yet another hotel that’s set to be completed in 2026, other than Courtyard by Marriott Subang, located next to Citta Mall, near the previously known Subang International Airport, and will be part of a mixed-use development.