Singapore, November 2015 – YTL Hotels announced the signing of two management contracts with Marriott International to develop two new hotels under the luxury brand The Ritz-Carlton – The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui in the naturally beautiful island resort of Thailand and the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the all-season resort Niseko Village of Hokkaido, Japan. The two hotels would feature the renowned hallmarks of The Ritz-Carlton – distinguished, personalised services and refined, luxurious accommodation for discerning travellers. They are in line with YTL Hotels' global expansion of its portfolio of 26 award-winning hotels and resorts across Asia, Australia and Europe which includes The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur and three Marriott hotels in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

“YTL Hotels has had a long standing relationship with Marriott International since 1995 managing five of our properties with 2,000 rooms across Asia-Pacific and this expansion into Thailand and Japan is a continuation of our shared success over the years. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui and the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko Village will elevate the stature of the two highly sought-after tourist destinations. This is especially so in Niseko Village where we have long-term developmental plans to transform it into a leading all-season tourist destination of Asia. In the next ten years, we will also build Ritz-Carlton Residences complementing both hotels to meet growing demands by international home buyers looking to invest in resort residences. This approach is in alignment with The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Kuala Lumpur which YTL developed as the first Ritz-Carlton branded residences in Malaysia,” said Dato' Mark Yeoh, Executive Director, YTL Hotels.

The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui would be developed in Plai Laem located in the stunning Choeng Mon area at the north-eastern tip of the island well-known for its white sand beaches surrounded by emerald waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The hotel would feature approximately 187 luxurious guest rooms and pool villas with the finest of dining, wellness and recreational facilities set on the pristine sun-kissed beachfront. It is slated to be completed within the next two years and would complement the other Ritz-Carlton hotel in Krabi - Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. It would also add to YTL Hotels' current footprint in Thailand which includes The Surin Phuket, a member of Design Hotels™, and the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express which travels from Singapore to Thailand.

“When styling and designing a Ritz-Carlton, we are extremely conscious of the surrounding and abundant natural beauty which makes people fall in love with the destination,” said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Ritz-Carlton. “We want guests to enjoy and discover the extraordinary diversity and beauty to be found in this part of Thailand.”

Expected to be completed in the next five years, the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko Village would be the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Hokkaido and the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve not only in Japan but across North Asia. Well connected to the international airport New Chitose Airport, the hotel would be located at the heart of Niseko Village, which is highly lauded as one of the world's best ski resorts, taking its place alongside St Moritz, Switzerland and Aspen, Colorado. With spectacular views of the famous Mount Yotei or Ezo Fuji due to its resemblance to the iconic Mount Fuji, the hotel would feature approximately 50 luxurious guest rooms with premium dining establishments, onsen and wellness facilities, and ski-in and ski-out access during the White Season. The property would also be in close vicinity to two highly-acclaimed golf courses, the PURE outdoor activity park and the dining cum retail village hub. Guests will indulge in unparalleled authentic experiences against the backdrop of the refined Japanese culture. In winter, they can conveniently access some of the best ski slopes in the world, famous for its dry champagne powder snow. In summer, the best of fresh harvest and wildlife await them with a diverse range of outdoor recreation to enjoy including golf, trekking and horse riding.

“Ritz-Carlton Reserves feature signature, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts positioned in unique settings, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place reflecting its history and culture. A refuge from the expected, Ritz-Carlton Reserve is for travellers seeking to discover a singular location and peerless resort that will offer guests exotic, hand-selected 'hideaway' destinations in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere. Niseko Village is a natural choice to complement our existing exclusive portfolio,” added Humler.

Upon its opening, the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Niseko Village would be an addition to the four Ritz-Carlton hotels in Japan located in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa. The hotel would also add to YTL Hotels' portfolio in Niseko Village which includes Hilton Niseko Village, The Green Leaf Niseko Village and Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse.
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About YTL Hotels
YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, France and the UK, including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world's best resort in 2003 by Condé Nast Traveller UK. The group also co-owns the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train.

2014 brought the launch of Kasara, a new brand of luxury accommodation offering bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences in Niseko Village. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the group's latest addition, is the only hotel in Bath to be part of the Leading Hotels of the World's collection of legendary hotels and has recently been named one of the Top 10 Hotel Spas in Europe. Set in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, this unique heritage gem exclusively offers the only natural thermal spa within a hotel in the United Kingdom.

With each new experience that it presents, the company strives to embrace and highlight the natural essence of culture, character and tradition of its surroundings. YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. Visit www.ytlhotels.com for more information.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 91 hotels and resorts in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. For more information, or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarltonreserve.com, www.ritzcarlton.com or www.ritzcarlton.cn. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ).

About Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand extension features signature, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts located in hand-picked settings around the world, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place. They have been designed for the most discerning of travelers seeking a personalized, meaningful escape. The current collection of three includes: Mandapa, in Bali. Dorado Beach, in Puerto Rico. Phulay Bay in Krabi, Southern Thailand.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Tracy Khee
Director of Public Relations
YTL Hotels
Email: tracy@ytl.com.sg
Mobile: +65 9721 6050

Richard Leen
Director of PR & Communications
YTL Singapore
Email: richard@ytl.com.sg
Tel: +65 6578 9020
Mobile: +65 9680 6178