UMCity Medini Lakeside in Nusajaya, within the Iskandar Malaysia’s flagship zone B, is a RM1 billion integrated lifestyle development uniquely located next to a lake, offering an exclusive enclave for business and living. It will be developed by leading lifestyle property developer United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand).
Besides Onyx’s properties, The Ascott Limited will also manage service residences here under Citadines Medini Nusajaya, while MBO Cinemas will anchor the retail podium with the latest cinematic halls under MCAT Box Office and Regus Serviced Offices will feature the first professional business suites in Nusajaya.
Scheduled to open in 2018, the OZO Medini will feature 198 guest rooms alongside all other facilities for which the select-service, stylish smart brand is known for, including, ‘EAT’ the place to go for signature breakfast ‘boost’, ‘EAT2Go’ the grab and go outlet, swimming pool ‘SPLASH’, fitness centre ‘TONE’ and rooftop lounge ‘BOMU’.
Offering the epitome of style, comfort and luxury, Shama Medini will comprise of 232 managed service residences complete with spacious living areas, ideal for business travellers and families looking for space and comfort. The property will also feature lakeside views, a restaurant, a kids club, a fitness centre, and a rooftop garden with an outdoor barbeque.
Commenting on these projects Onyx Hospitality Group president Peter Henley said:
“We are thrilled to continue the expansion of our brands in Malaysia. As a Thai company, having a presence in one of our closest neighbouring countries has always been priority for us. We have great confidence in our partner, UMLand as these two new projects bring the total of shared projects to three, following the signing of Amari Johor Bahru in 2013.
“The latest projects are particularly significant for us, as upon completion, they will mark the first time all three of our core brands, Amari, OZO and Shama will be present in one region anywhere in the world.”
The upmarket Amari Johor Bahru will open in 2016 with 242 rooms. The hotel is part of the Suasana Iskandar Malaysia development which also offers serviced apartments for sale and a retail podium. The hotel will offer a selection of Amari’s signature features including an Asian Food Gallery, Breeze Spa and Idea Rooms (meeting rooms).
Subsequently, Onyx Hospitality Group has also signed up Malaysia’s first OZO-branded hotel in Penang. The OZO Georgetown Penang, located on the edge of UNESCO World Heritage site in the centre of Georgetown, will open its doors in 2017 with 132 guest rooms.
According to a source, Onyx Hospitality Group is said to be studying the Kuala Lumpur market for potential colaborations and hotel openings. No firmed deals have been made so far.
Onyx Hospitality Group manages the select-service OZO brand, the upscale Amari brand and the luxury Saffron brand. It also manages the upscale service residence Sharma brand, luxury residences such as Oriental Residence Bangkok and two spa brands, namely Maai and Breeze. Its managed restaurants such as the Mantra Restaurant & Bar in Amari Pattaya is well-known and award-winning in Thailand.
OZO Wesley Hong Kong is the first OZO property and was launched in May 2013, followed by OZO Chaweng Samui in Koh Samui in March 2014, OZO Colombo in May 2014, and OZO Pattaya in September 2014. OZO Kandy Sri Lanka has just opened last quarter.
The first Amari hotel was opened in Doha, Qatar in January 2013. Subsequently, 12 more Amari hotels and resorts opened in Thailand including the Amari Buriram United, the only football-themed hotel in Thailand; and 1 hotel opened in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Shama luxury managed service residence is an established apartment brand founded in Hong Kong since 1996. The brand is catered for the long-stayers and family-bringing market. The brand has regional presence in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
Onyx Hospitality Group is a member company of ITALTHAI Group, one of Thailand’s leading conglomerate with a regional presence and employing over 5,000 people. ITALTHAI Group was founded by Thai billionaire Dr Chaijudh Karnasuta and his Italian friend Giorgio Berlingieri in 1955. The company is now helmed by Dr Chaijudh’s children, the sister and brother team Nijaporn Charanachitta and Premchai Karnasuta.
The families remained in control of the Italian-Thai Development PCL (ITD), Thailand’s largest publicly listed construction company and are shareholders in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok and the Eastern-Oriental Express. ITD built the passenger terminal at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the city’s elevated skytrain and its first subway line. The company has contracts for major public works in Thailand, India, Taiwan and Vietnam.