KUCHING (Dec 4): A historic transformation is set to revitalize the former Century Kuching Hotel building as it will soon house Malaysia’s first voco hotel, under IHG Hotels and Resorts. The voco Kuching, a 321-room premium hotel, will open in 2026, marking IHG’s return to Kuching after 16 years.
The new hotel is part of a 12-storey mixed-use development in collaboration with Elica Equity Sdn Bhd. voco Kuching aims to deliver a unique experience, joining IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand with a global pipeline of 80 voco hotels and 77 already operational.
“This will be IHG’s first hotel in Sarawak and a building block for Kuching’s and Sarawak’s economies,” said Patrick Finn, IHG South East Asia & Korea vice president. He highlighted voco Kuching’s role in attracting visitors to Sarawak while complementing IHG’s plans to nearly double its presence in Malaysia with luxury brands such as Regent and Kimpton.
The hotel will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a swimming pool, fitness centre, and diverse dining options. For events, it offers over 2,400 square metres of meeting spaces, including a grand ballroom that can host up to 1,300 guests.
Elica Equity director Datuk Bobby Ting expressed pride in being the pioneer of voco hotels in Malaysia, emphasizing the partnership’s shared vision to innovate and set new standards in hospitality. “This project reflects our ambition to breathe new life into this property,” Ting said.
IHG currently operates 10 hotels in Malaysia under five brands and continues to expand with voco Kuching leading the way.
