A Bulgari hotel in Malaysia possible, says Marriott COO

MARRIOTT International Inc, which operates the luxurious Bulgari Hotels & Resorts brand, does not discount the possibility of hotel opening in Malaysia.

Currently, there are only two Bulgari hotels in the world; a city hotel in Milan, Italy, and a resort villa in Bali, Indonesia.

"There have been people asking about it (Bulgari) but there is nothing serious.

"There must be a business plan that can support a Bulgari as it is a very expensive hotel to build," chief operating officer (COO) for Asia Pacific Craig S Smith said, adding that it does not discount that Malaysia could probably carry such a brand. "Such a hotel would fit into a market that has a niche clientele and easy air access".

Location, Smith said, is paramount in considering the opening, and along with it, the specifications and partnership.

The Bulgari in Milan is a city hotel with 58 rooms, while the resort in Bali has some 59 villas. The next Bulgari will open in London in 2012.

The Bulgari Hotels & Resorts was introduced in 2001 and it is a joint venture between jeweller and luxury goods retailer Bulgari SPA and the Luxury Group - a division of Marriott International that also manages the The Ritz-Carlton hotels.

In Malaysia, there are currently six hotels managed by the Marriott group and one on franchise. On future openings, Smith said: "At any one point of time, we are discussing with a dozen (parties)."

Marriott, which is now predominantly city-based, is now keen to look at more resort hotels in places like Penang, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu. Resorts destination derives higher rates.

The group, which has over 20 brands, also manages the Courtyard by Marriott, EDITION Hotels and Marriott Executive Apartments, elsewhere in Asia.

By Business Times