Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property companies, will open Dusit Princess Ipoh on 1 October 2026. The 268-room property marks the group’s third address in Malaysia and introduces Thai hospitality to the capital of the state of Perak.
Ipoh, a destination shaped by heritage and gastronomy
Located roughly 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh owes its development to the tin-mining boom of the late 19th century, which turned the city into a leading commercial hub. Its historic centre, where colonial-era shophouses and traditional kopitiams still stand, retains the character of that period today.
The city has also built a strong culinary reputation, driven by its long-established dim sum restaurants and its famous Ipoh white coffee, whose distinctive flavour comes from beans traditionally roasted with margarine. The limestone formations and cave temples of the surrounding Kinta Valley round out the offering, combining cultural discovery with nature excursions.
An existing property repositioned under the Dusit Princess brand
Owned by Plenitude Berhad, a group listed on Bursa Malaysia active in property development, real estate investment and hospitality, the existing 268-room property is being rebranded as Dusit Princess Ipoh. It sits alongside the Perak Turf Club, a historic horse-racing venue, less than five minutes from the city centre and around ten minutes from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, which is served by direct flights from Singapore.
In line with the Dusit Princess brand’s upper-midscale positioning, the hotel offers five room categories, ranging from 25 m² Superior Rooms to 58 m² Family Suites, with views over the Perak Turf Club or the city skyline. Family Rooms and Family Suites include kitchenettes to cater to extended stays.
The property also features an outdoor pool, a children’s club, self-service laundry facilities, accessible rooms, a prayer room and a fitness centre of nearly 611 m² with extended opening hours. Three event spaces totalling approximately 964 m² are available, including the 496.8 m² Kinta Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 400 guests in theatre-style seating, alongside the Kampar Hall (383 m²) and the Gopeng Room (84 m²).
A dining offering rooted in local tradition
The Atrium, the hotel’s main restaurant, offers views over Ipoh’s limestone hills and cityscape. Its breakfast buffet showcases local specialities such as nasi lemak, roti canai, kway teow goreng and dim sum, alongside a continental selection. The lobby café rounds out the offering with teas, coffees and juices served alongside pastries.
An experience programme called “Discover the Soul of Ipoh” also offers guided tours of the historic quarter, excursions to the Tambun pomelo orchards and cave temples, culinary trails centred on local white coffee, and workshops in traditional Labu Sayong pottery, a craft native to the state of Perak.
A growth strategy driven by domestic demand
Chanin Donavanik, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dusit International, said that with a range of accommodation and facilities designed to meet the needs of leisure travellers, families, business guests, government delegations and event groups, the Dusit Princess Ipoh represented an attractive opportunity to bring the welcoming character of the Dusit Princess brand to a city with a strong identity and already well-established appeal. He added that Perak had welcomed 23.6 million domestic visitors in 2025, making it one of the three most-visited states in Malaysia, and that this sustained demand, combined with Ipoh’s accessibility from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, gave the city significant potential to attract more international visitors.
For her part, Elsie Chua, Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Plenitude Berhad, said that the Dusit Princess Ipoh marked a new chapter for the historic property and for Plenitude’s hotel portfolio. Building on the property’s long-standing presence in Ipoh, she said the company was delighted to bring the distinctive warmth of Thai hospitality to the city through a recognised international brand, while showcasing the character, culture and local flavours that make Ipoh unique.
This opening forms part of a broader push by international brands into the Malaysian market, where IHG recently signed the voco Muar to target the country’s secondary cities, while Hyatt opened its Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown in the capital. Dusit is also continuing its own regional expansion, illustrated by the recent signing of Kaliwatu Residences under the Dusit Collection brand in Indonesia.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Dusit Princess Ipoh opens 1 October 2026 in Malaysia
268-room hotel, Dusit’s third branded property in Malaysia
Owned by Plenitude Berhad, a Bursa Malaysia-listed group
Located in Ipoh, Perak, ~200 km north of Kuala Lumpur
Perak welcomed 23.6 million domestic visitors in 2025
Opening rates from RM 230 (approx. €49) per night, valid through 31 December 2026
