YTL Hotels & Properties Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of YTL Corp Bhd, will open the JW Marriott Hotel Johor Bahru on 1st December 2026, following the signing of an agreement with Marriott International in Kuala Lumpur.
Reports said that the Johor Bahru property will be the second JW Marriott in Malaysia after JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur.
The new hotel is expected to boost Johor Bahru’s luxury hospitality sector and improve the city’s competitiveness as a premium destination, especially given its proximity to Singapore.
YTL Hotels Executive Director Datuk Mark Yeoh Seok Kah said, “We bought the Thistle Hotel a few months ago, and we completed the transaction on 1st December 2025. The work started on 2nd December and we are working at full speed to get it ready for the 1st Dec opening next year.”
In September 2025, the hotel company announced the acquisition of Thistle Johor Bahru from GuocoLand Ltd for RM150 million. After extensive renovations, the former 381-room property will be transformed into the 410-room JW Marriott Hotel Johor Bahru.
Shawn Hill, Marriott International’s Senior Vice President of development for Asia Pacific (excluding China), stated that demand for luxury accommodations is increasing in secondary markets such as Johor Bahru, owing to tourism growth and improved cross-border connectivity.
“We are seeing significant demand growth in many markets outside major cities. Johor Bahru is a strategic location, as it is adjacent to Singapore and the upcoming rapid transit system (RTS) will reduce travel constraints by being just five minutes from Woodlands,” he said at the agreement signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Rajeev Menon, President of Marriott International’s Asia Pacific (excluding China) division, said the agreement is consistent with JW Marriott’s expansion into destinations with rising business and leisure travel demand.
“This signing represents a strategic expansion of the brand in Malaysia, reinforcing our commitment to bringing transformative luxury experiences to destinations of growing business and leisure demand. Johor Bahru’s strong connectivity and rising profile as a cross-border hub make it a natural fit for JW Marriott’s thoughtful and inspired brand positioning.”
The JW Marriott Johor Bahru Hotel covers an area of 1.9 hectares with 410 rooms, including premium accommodation options with a contemporary concept and panoramic views of the city.
According to reports, other planned amenities include an executive lounge, a spa with five treatment rooms, hydrotherapy facilities, a modern fitness centre, a resort-style swimming pool, tennis courts, three pickleball courts, and a family-oriented kids’ club.
The event space has also been expanded to a total of 2,517 square metres, including a 900 square metre main ballroom, a 600 square metre junior ballroom, and 16 meeting rooms.
The event space has also been expanded to a total of 2,517 square metres, which includes a 900 square metre main ballroom, a 600 square metre junior ballroom, and 16 meeting rooms.
Its prime location, just minutes away from the upcoming Bukit Chagar Singapore-Johor Bahru RTS station, the CIQ checkpoint, and Senai International Airport, puts guests in close proximity to the city’s vibrant attractions.
