YTL Hotels Introduces The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui In Thailand #TreasuredPlaces, #TreasuredMoments

YTL Hotels is delighted to announce the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui in Thailand. The resort’s opening has been highly anticipated and its debut on the eastern coast of Thailand marks the beginning of the discovery of inspiring and quintessential experiences. Koh Samui has long been renowned for its breathtaking tropical charms and pristine natural beauty on the Gulf of Thailand, and is a much sought-after destination by luxury travelers from around the world. The distinguished and personalized Ritz-Carlton service and legendary Thai hospitality are interwoven to create unique treasured moments.   “The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui marks another milestone of our strong partnership with Marriott International. With the opening of this resort, our portfolio together with Marriott International now encompasses nine properties across Asia-Pacific and Europe,” said Dato’ Mark Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Hotels. The opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui affirms the long-standing relationship between Marriott International and YTL Hotels. The resort adds 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. With 175 suites and pool villas, nestled amid 58 acres, the resort overlooks the turquoise waters with an extensive oceanfront. Built on the site of a former coconut plantation, the stunning resort with its contemporary architecture pays homage to its past with the extensive use of coconut and other natural materials such as ceramics that imbue a sense of place. Relaxation and rejuvenation come easily at Spa Village Koh Samui, a 3,800 square meter sanctuary anchored in the healing culture of the region. The spa features eight treatment suites, three massage pavilions, a yoga pavilion, health bar, and a lap pool with intimate cabanas. Guests will be able to experience the Songkran Shower, the signature pre-spa ritual inspired by the annual Songkran festival involving the joyful throwing of water, as a prelude to selected spa treatments.

The resort’s culinary offerings reflect the destination’s bold flavors synonymous with southern Thai soul food at some of the seven dining experiences available.  Shook! is a stylish interactive dining space, serving innovative Asian and Western dishes complemented by a superb selection of fine wines. Sea Salt offers international classics and Thai favourites in a relaxing atmosphere, while Tides is the perfect spot for sun-lovers to unwind with a refreshing cocktail from the poolside bar, paired with a citrus-cured specialty from the cevicheria. One Rai, a circular bar and lounge, offers cocktails and Asian-inspired small bites.  Pak Tai is the resort’s signature culinary experience featuring a fine dining interpretation of traditional southern Thai cuisine with views over the swim reef from its secluded individual dining terraces. The Peak, on an elevated point with a sweeping ocean vista, provides the ultimate private dining experience for special occasions. On selected days, guests can enjoy Baan Talat, an outdoor food market experience with street food stalls, cultural dances and crafts. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui has curated some of the finest authentic southern Thai experiences to immerse in. These include the Muay Thai Gym with its indoor kickboxing ring where guests can learn the martial art of Muay Thai with trained instructors; journey to a local market to source seasonal produce, followed by a class to unlock the secrets of southern Thai cooking.  The resort has also introduced a one-of-a-kind temperate Swim Reef within the resort that teems with over 50 species of fish. It is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, and offers unique snorkeling and fish-feeding experiences. Expansive facilities include two white sand beaches, a beachside resort pool, a water sports center and two floodlit tennis courts. The Ritz Kids program, with its own check-in and amenities for children, offers indoor and outdoor activities to keep the young guests entertained. At The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui each customized wedding is a signature event, in a Thai or Western setting, as lifetime vows are exchanged at Sala Thai, an elevated pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.  The resort now welcomes guests to embrace the Samui way of life - the heartbeat at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui.

About YTL Hotels YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages with a hospitality footprint across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia, France and the United Kingdom, 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. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the only hotel in Bath to be part of the Leading Hotels of the World’s collection of legendary hotels, was 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. YTL Hotels’ global expansion celebrates its decades long relationship with Marriott International through the ownership management of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Brisbane Marriott Hotel, Melbourne Marriott Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur and JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur and recently includes The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, The Glasshouse Hotel - Edinburgh and Threadneedles Hotel – London in affiliation with the brand’s Autograph Collection. The partnership also encompasses the future development of the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve that will complement YTL Hotels’ overall master plan for Niseko Village in Japan. 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 and follow us on our social media platforms for #TreasuredPlaces #TreasuredMoments About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, MD., part of Marriott International, Inc., currently operates more than 90 hotels and 40 residential properties in more than 30 countries and territories. The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.ritzcarlton.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR).

Small Luxury Hotels Of The World™ Expands Partnership With YTL Hotels

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the champion of exclusive, independent hotels has announced two new additions this month, both part of YTL Hotels, one of Malaysia’s most dynamic hotel owner and management companies. MUSE St Tropez in France and the Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse in Japan expand the geographical diversity of the YTL hotels currently in the SLH collection, offering guests the opportunity to experience world-class hotels and resorts across four diverse countries and further cementing the relationship between the two companies.

MUSE Saint Tropez – Ramatuelle: France

Encapsulating the laid-back glamour of the Riviera, MUSE Saint Tropez - Ramatuelle is a chic retreat that reflects architectural simplicity nestled in the heart of an award-winning ecological and self-sustainable garden designed by Sophie Agata Ambroise. Its fourteen luxuriously appointed suites that weaves around the enchanting Tropezian landscape, each dedicated to famous muses and characteristically individual in décor and ambience, opens onto private gardens or wooden terraces and plunge pools in selected suites. The main pool is interpreted as a water salon surrounded by a bar, cabanas and loungers for sun seekers, indulgent massages, light meals or sundowners, complemented by soothing lounge music. The exquisite ‘M’ restaurant brings to life the flavors of the earth and sea, evoking the senses with locally sourced produce from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coastline. Rejuvenation through old world spa traditions using exclusive spa products based on the gentle hydrolat technique where microscopic essential oil droplets are suspended in water, can be experienced in the comfort of each suite. From dedicated concierge services, conveniences for mobile devices to complimentary shuttle services to town or the beach and custom-made bicycles, guests’ needs are met with impeccable service around the clock.

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse: Hokkaido, Japan

Located at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse occupies a unique position at the heart of Niseko Village, an all-season destination that has become legendary among the skiing cognoscenti and internationally acclaimed for being one of the premier powder destinations in the world. Niseko Village is centrally located within the Niseko United ski area and accesses its inter-linked ski resorts, boasting a combined 2,191 acres of skiable terrain, an international snow school, award-winning hotels with spa and onsen facilities, luxury residences, a dining and retail village hub, an outdoor nature park and two world-class golf courses with future development phases in the works – now made even more accessible by the extension of the bullet train service to Hokkaido which commences on 26^thMarch. The eight exclusive townhouses are an ode to Japan’s heritage townhouses that were inhabited by craftsmen and wealthy merchants from the Edo period with bespoke interiors that embody authentic Japanese charm with contemporary elegance. Each three-bedroom townhouse accommodates up to six adults with a flexible dining area that can be converted into an additional bedroom for two children, and comes complete with a personal residence concierge. Priority privileges include a complimentary one-hour guided Niseko Village mountain orientation for advanced to expert level skiers and a welcome by instructors at your doorstep for any private ski or snowboard lessons booked during winter while during summer, golfers or families can take advantage of either complimentary rounds of golf at two renowned courses or enjoy Super Passport tickets at Pure, an activity and adventure park within Niseko Village.

YTL Hotels currently within the SLH collection include Pangkor Laut Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort, The Majestic Malacca and Tanjong Jara Resort in Malaysia, Gaya Island Resort in Borneo and the Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali in Indonesia.

Luke Hurford, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing for YTL Hotels says: “YTL Hotels is excited to bring two more iconic destinations to the SLH brand. Muse Saint Tropez - Ramatuelle, the epitome of style, is a chic hideaway within Saint Tropez and embodies the defining features of SLH. Niseko Village has over the past decade become the hottest ski destination in Asia and a must-ski mountain for skiers from around the world. Winter travelers find themselves returning for summer for its world-class golf courses, activities and to get a taste of Hokkaido’s renowned seafood, meats and farm-to-table seasonal produce given Niseko’s reputation as Japan’s breadbasket. Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse joins a rarefied collection of ski resorts around the world with SLH properties including Jackson Hole, Zermatt, Gstaad and Courchevel, and becomes the first at a Japanese ski resort. Partnering with SLH in Niseko is another step forward in our plans to evolve Niseko Village into one of the world’s great year-round mountain resorts.”

Daniel Luddington, Vice President of Development for SLH comments: "The addition of these two exceptional properties in St Tropez and Hokkaido exemplify our independently-minded approach and provide our guests with two very different experiences in an established and an emerging destination.  They also beautifully complement the existing and iconic YTL hotels that have been with SLH for several years. We are excited that we have now been able to extend this relationship beyond Asia and look forward to continuing to provide YTL with a valuable association with SLH for many years to come.”

For more information about SLH’s collection of hotels around the world or to make a reservation and take advantage of SLH Club member benefits visit www.slh.com.

About Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) matches independently minded guests with independently spirited hotels. The diverse collection of over 520 hotels in more than 80 countries around the world includes everything from cutting edge design hotels and city center sanctuaries to historic country mansions and remote private islands – all SLH hotels are consistently different, however, they are all united by the fact that they offer the best locations, highest quality, personalized service and a truly authentic way to discover a destination. Reservations for any SLH hotel can be made online at www.slh.com or via the iPhone app, by contacting a travel agent or calling a Small Luxury Hotels of the World reservations office; click here to view a listing by country.

About Niseko Village

Nestled at the south base of the 1308m Mount Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village sits within the Niseko United ski area that accesses inter-linked ski resorts boasting a combined 2,191 acres of skiable terrain. Often compared to world-class ski resorts like Aspen in Colorado and Niseko’s sister city, St. Moritz in Switzerland, Niseko Village comprises of eight exclusive Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse that redefines alpine living, Hilton Niseko Village – voted ‘Best Ski Resort Hotel in Japan’ by World Ski Awards 2013, 2014 and 2015, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, spa and onsen facilities, a dining and retail village hub, the Niseko Village skifield - renowned for its dry champagne powder at low-altitude, variety of ski terrains, the world-class Niseko Village Snow School and Niseko Kids™ programmes. In summer, the resort transforms into a popular destination with two highly acclaimed golf courses including one designed by Arnold Palmer, an outdoor Pure at Niseko Village Nature Park and a host of active pursuits. Set in stunning landscapes of timeless beauty all year round, Niseko Village is always in season. Visit www.niseko-village.com for reservations or to find out the latest happenings and events at Niseko Village.

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 Traveler 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 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. Visitwww.ytlhotels.com for more information.