Malaysian hospitality provider Berjaya Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of a new hotel chain brand “thelivingroom”.
The four-star concept is aimed at corporate guests travelling with families and will focus on maximising space while offering more flexibility and convenience.
Each hotel will offer just one room type of around 25 sqm in size that will utilise novel design solutions to fit up to four adults.
The four signature customisable options include:
- Wall bed: Each room will feature a double bed that folds into the wall when not in use, becoming a shelving unit and work desk, thereby “transforming the bedroom into a living room”.
- Sofa bunk bed: The sofa cushions can be removed and the bottom of the sofa raised to become a bunk bed capable of accommodating two adults.
- Adjustable lighting fixture: Guests can reposition the ceiling lights to their preference – a fix for having to navigate multiple light switches.
- Foldable chair: A stylish armchair can be folded and stored out of the way when not in use to again maximise space.
In addition, all guests will enjoy flexible check in and checkout with a “24-hour turnaround time”. In other words, if guests check in at 9pm, their check-out time would be at 9pm the following day.
Hotel facilities have been kept to a minimum. The ground floor will feature a reception-cum-café, which will function as both the check-in counter and the hotel’s sole F&B outlet.
Room rates are expected to average at around RM280 (US$65) per night.
“As a hotel brand that is specifically designed to meet the needs of corporate travellers with families, this is extremely important as their needs today are very much different”, said Hanley Chew, CEO of Berjaya Hotels and Resorts.
“They are not looking for luxurious offerings, but practicality, convenience and flexibility in their hotel stays. They only require the basics such as strong wifi connection, sufficient plug points and all the essential amenities. By offering one unique room type, we believe ‘thelivingroom’ hotel will appeal to these uprising travellers who embrace minimalist living and work-life balance,” emphasised Chew.
Two debut properties are scheduled to launch in Malaysia in 2018, with further properties planned for Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan.
