YTL's The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur relaunched with style & distinction


Kuala Lumpur, 31 March, 2016

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur celebrated the official relaunch of the hotel with much glitz and glamour. The grand occasion was officiated by His Royal Highness The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Shah. Aptly themed Puttin’ on the Ritz, the celebration marks a milestone and a new phase in the hotel’s evolution as it continues to set new benchmarks for the hospitality industry for years to come.

His Royal Highness The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Shah, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay, Executive Chairman of YTL Corporation, Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Corporation and Craig Smith, President & Managing Director, Marriott International Inc. unveiled the official relaunch plaque at The Banquet Hall where an exquisite four-course dinner was served to high profile guests including foreign dignitaries and prominent local and international personalities.

The evening culminated with a dazzling performance by Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre, Rhonda Burchmore and Max Trengrove. They performed classic numbers immortalized by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, accompanied by a five-piece band from Australia.

A luxury hotel owned by YTL Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur made its Malaysian debut in December of 1997, and has become a landmark in the vibrant Golden Triangle of Malaysia. It is recognised as one of the top five butler hotels in the world by The Independent and has garnered many accolades and awards, bearing testimony to its continued efforts in maintaining a legacy of excellence in service and uncompromising quality with access to a range of bespoke services. 

The hotel consistently aims to set new benchmarks in its legendary service and exceptional facilities. Travel & Leisure regards it one of "The Greatest Hotels in the World", and it made the prestigious “Gold List" in Condé Nast Traveler. The relaunch of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur serves to amplify the brand’s legacy and all its attendant values with contemporary flair and expression, making it relevant to consumers of today.

In his opening speech Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh said, "In just a few short years, YTL Hotels has made a significant impact on the global hospitality landscape. We have been growing and expanding our hospitality footprint across three major continents - Europe, Australia and not least, here in Asia.

"Reflecting YTL Hotels’ determination to offer ‘you’ the bespoke hospitality experience, fuelled by our passion to redeem and reinvent former glories, we now introduce to you an entirely new Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur!"


The newly refurbished hotel has lost none of its warmth and previous charm. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur have come to expect an extraordinary level of personal service with genuine care and attention.
 
The new design for the hotel’s guest rooms, including luxuriously appointed suites, public areas and facilities, is fresh and modern while embracing the hotel’s classical roots. Uncompromising quality and attention to detail underpin every aspect of the new design, from furnishing and fabrics, clever lighting, richly detailed screens, luxurious marble to stylish accessories that are also modern classics. The result is one understated elegance and timeless design, and will undoubtedly impress loyal and new guests.
 
"For 18 years, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur has been a familiar sight of elegance and sophistication, nestled in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur’s shopping haven – Bukit Bintang, and is still counted as the city’s most enviable address. After one year of total and thorough revamp, this hotel has a whole new fashionable look. Modern, magnificent and multifaceted in its stylistic glory! Alexandra Champalimaud and her excellent team of designers did an exceptional job refurbishing the hotel. Incidentally, they are behind the stunning designs for The Gainsborough Bath Spa and The Green Leaf Niseko Village.

"Today’s Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is truly a feat of innovation in beauty, elegance and taste. May I thank the YTL Hotels’ team for their vision and leadership, as well as the fine workmanship and support from our construction and cement divisions. I give all glory and thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us in our endeavors," Yeoh expressed. 

Speaking at the launch Craig Smith of Marriott International Inc. said, "We have had a relationship with YTL Hotels for over 18 years and I'd like to thank YTL for a phenomenal partnership. We have partnered with YTL for The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur and The JW Marriott, Kuala Lumpur next door. We also have three other hotels in Australia with YTL Hotels and we've just announced that YTL is building The Ritz-Carlton in Koh Samui and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko, Japan. We're very excited for these projects as we continue to grow.

"This is a spectacular property and it's a phenomenal partnership that we have and I'd like to thank Dato' Mark and his entire family for being trusted partners, for believing in us and for making sure that we are doing the job that we should in serving our clients here in this great country of Malaysia." 

YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning hotels, boutique hotels, resorts and Spa Villages around the world and continue to excel in it's levels of service and offering to discerning patrons. Their philosophy of crafting inspired experiences make YTL Hotels the first-choice destination for business and leisure.


TEXT OF SPEECH BY TAN SRI (DR) FRANCIS YEOH
At the Relaunch of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

31 March 2016

His Royal Highness The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj

Ampun Tuanku.

Patik on behalf of YTL, I would like to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Your Royal Highness for your presence tonight, and having graciously consented to officiate the relaunch of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. We are immensely honoured. Tuanku lends a special and indeed - 'regal' - stamp of approval to this evening's events. 

This marks another important milestone in the history of YTL Hotels.

Ampun Tuanku

Patik would like to seek your permission to address all our distinguished guests present tonight.

Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, Executive Chairman of YTL Group Mr Craig Smith, President & Managing Director – Asia Pacific, Marriott International Inc.

Dato Mark Yeoh,

Tun, Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Puan Sri-Puan Sri, 

Datuk-Datuk, Datin-Datin,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

In just a few short years, YTL Hotels has made a significant impact on the global hospitality landscape. We have been growing and expanding our hospitality footprint across three major continents - Europe, Australia and not least, here in Asia. 

Our award-winning Niseko Village in Hokkaido underwent a major regeneration, including our two hotels – The Green Leaf Niseko Village and the Hilton Niseko Village. The development of The Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse and the village, a shopping and dining hub, further elevated guests’ experience. Japan’s premier year-round integrated mountain resort is now regarded as one of the must-visit skiing destinations in the world. 

To our great delight, we successfully restored a colonial icon to its former glory.Today, The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is on the world’s map as one of the Classic Hotels of the world. 
 
In the UK, we painstakingly restored a few neglected Georgian and Victorian buildings and turned them into a luxurious classic masterpiece, The Gainsborough Bath Spa. The UK’s first and only hotel to have exclusive access to natural thermal waters. The Gainsborough was launched last September to critical acclaim, winning the esteemed Tatler UK Spa award in the process.

Reflecting YTL Hotels’ determination to offer ‘you’ the bespoke hospitality experience, fuelled by our passion to redeem and reinvent former glories, we now introduce to you an entirely new Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur! 

For 18 years, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur has been a familiar sight of elegance and sophistication, nestled in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur’s shopping haven – Bukit Bintang, and is still counting as the city’s most enviable address. 

After one year of total and thorough revamp, this hotel has a whole new fashionable look. Modern, magnificent and multifaceted in its stylistic glory! Alexandra Champalimaud and her excellent team of designers did an exceptional job refurbishing the hotel. Incidentally, they are behind the stunning designs for The Gainsborough Bath Spa and The Green Leaf Niseko Village.

More importantly, the hotel has lost none of its warmth and previous charm. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur have come to expect an extraordinary level of personal service with genuine care and attention. The hotel consistently aims to set new benchmarks in its legendary service and exceptional facilities. 

As a result, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur has garnered many international accolades and awards over the years for outstanding service and facilities.
- The Independent rates it as the “Top 5 Butler Hotels in the World".
- Travel & Leisure regards it one of "The Greatest Hotels in the World", and 
 
- It made the prestigious “Gold List" in Condé Nast Traveler. 

We trust that with this recent transformation, the hotel will continue to be recognised as a choice hotel for local and international travellers seeking an unforgettable hospitality experience in Malaysia’s capital. It goes without saying, we are immensely grateful for our wonderful partnership with Marriott International. Our collaboration has already grown a hospitality portfolio to over 2000 rooms. 

We look forward to increasing that number, with our recent agreement to jointly develop two new Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Koh Samui and Niseko Village.

Today’s Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is truly a feat of innovation in beauty, elegance and taste. May I thank the YTL Hotels’ team for their vision and leadership, as well as the fine workmanship and support from our construction and cement divisions. 
 
I give all glory and thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us in our endeavors.




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