Letting the unique beauty and personality of Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya shine
TD speaks with Kumar Renoo, Cluster General Manager at IOI Properties Group
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It is an exciting time for Marriott in Malaysia, particularly in the city of Putrajaya, where the hotel giant has several properties which will boom the business in the Putrajaya area.
Travel Daily Media interviewed Kumar Renoo, Cluster General Manager at IOI Properties Group, on the renovation of Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Renoo has 30 years of hospitality experience under his belt and being a cluster GM is not new to him. He now oversees Le Meridien Putrajaya, Four Points by Sheraton Puchong, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel and Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. While Le Meridien Putrajaya and Four Points are well-established, newly managed hotels, Putrajaya Marriott and Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya are undergoing major renovations befitting Marriott International Brand standards.
Travel Daily (TD): Can you provide a brief history of the Palm Garden Hotel? What is the value of becoming the first Tribute Portfolio hotel in Malaysia?
Kumar Renoo (KR): Palm Garden Hotel was opened in 1995 under the Marriott brand as Renaissance Palm Garden Hotel, however, the owners decided to manage it on their own from 2002 until late 2021. When we scouted Palm Garden Hotel to join Marriott International, we found that this hotel had the characteristics of a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Tribute Portfolio is a growing global family of characterful, independent boutique hotels that has a passion for captivating design and a drive to create vibrant social scenes for guests. Tribute Portfolio hotels are free to be their true selves, and have a personality of its own, offering a unique perspective of the world. This speaks for Palm Garden Hotel which is also the very first Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Malaysia.
“Tribute Portfolio hotels are free to be their true selves, and have a personality of its own, offering a unique perspective of the world.”
TD: What is the USP of the hotel? How has the hotel positioned itself in Malaysia?
KR: When you go to Palm Garden Hotel, you are immediately transported to an oasis in the city, a very resort and relaxing feel. The resort ambience and lush green landscapes make Palm Garden Hotel a perfect garden wedding venue. On top of this, this resort is in a city itself with 2 other 5-star hotels, Asia’s largest mall, IOI City Mall, Grade A office blocks, award-winning Palm Garden Golf Club and commercial blocks and well-appointed residential. The hotel currently is a thriving business, popular with weekend staycations, small to medium MICE events and a destination for beautiful garden weddings.
TD: Can you share with us the renovations that will be made on the property and what are the features that future guests should look forward to?
KR: Guests can look forward to 151 fully renovated rooms that captures the spaciousness of the rooms in a unique and characterful design. Besides that you will also see the reopening of the Aroi Dee Thai Restaurant, the popular Thai restaurant which will be closed for almost 2 years by the time it reopens, fully renovated in a grand design and sporting a new outdoor bar. The hotel’s main restaurant Palms Café will also see a totally new facelift after the renovations.
TD: When is the grand opening of the newly-renovated hotel? Any promotions?
KR: The renovations are expected to be completed by August to September 2023. We plan to have the grand opening for both the hotel and Aroi Dee Thai Restaurant when it is completed. There will be opening promotions for the rooms as well as the Thai restaurants as it will be the best opportunity to experience a characterful stay in the newly renovated rooms and restaurants.
TD: What are the hospitality trends you are seeing for 2023? How do you plan to capitalize on those trends?
KR: For 2023 we will see more of:
- The Bizleisure traveller – more and more guests are arranging their business trips to include leisure activities by extending stays and bringing their families.
- The modern savvy guest –will seek for easy check-in/check-out and room accessibility through their mobiles.
- Personalization of the guest experience – anticipating guest’s needs, sending them relevant and related offers and customizing the experience for them
- VIP accommodations – after the renovations, the hotel will reflect and offer boutique services and facilities, a special niche for the VIP traveller
Being a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Palm Garden Hotel can capitalize on all these trends after the renovations and more for the modern maverick traveller.
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