IHG Hotels & Resorts announces the signing of voco Muar, marking the Group’s debut in the riverside town of Muar, in the state of Johor, Malaysia, and introducing the first internationally branded hotel to the destination. Signed in partnership with KCC Hotel (Muar) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysian property developer KCC Holdings Group, the 107-room property is in an advanced stage of construction, with interior fit-out works already under way, ahead of an opening planned later this year.
Located within the KCC City Business Park, developed and owned by KCC Holdings Group, voco Muar aims to appeal to leisure travellers drawn by the town’s rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks, riverside scenery and renowned local cuisine. As one of Malaysia’s leading manufacturing hubs, Muar also benefits from strong domestic and regional business travel demand.
Known for its individual charm and thoughtful design, the voco brand, IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand, combines an upscale stay experience with a warm, relaxed atmosphere, while remaining anchored in trusted operational and brand standards. This distinctive positioning makes it a strategic choice for IHG’s first-mover approach in Malaysia, with the signing of voco Muar reinforcing the Group’s ambition to enter high-potential markets, building on its growing presence in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and Kuantan.
Vivek Bhalla, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea at IHG, noted that the signing of voco Muar marks an important step in the Group’s strategy to expand into Malaysia’s high-growth secondary and tertiary markets. He explained that as travel demand extends beyond major gateway cities, the Group sees strong opportunity in destinations such as Muar, where rich cultural heritage, growing economic activity and leisure attractions come together to create a vibrant destination.
Ker Soon Yong, Executive Director of KCC Hotel (Muar) Sdn Bhd, said he was proud of this partnership with IHG to introduce the town’s first internationally branded hotel, which he said would play an important role in elevating the local hospitality offering and supporting both business and leisure travel. He added that the voco brand is known for combining the reliability of an international hotel with the warmth, individuality and local character sought by increasingly discerning guests.
voco Muar will feature dining outlets, function and meeting spaces, an infinity pool, a gym and a grand ballroom, just a 40-minute drive from Malacca. The signing adds to the voco brand’s growth momentum, which now counts 137 open hotels worldwide, with recent regional additions including voco Bangkok Surawong, voco Bandung Setiabudi and voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang. In Malaysia, voco Muar will become the brand’s second property, following its country debut in Kuching this past June. IHG is also strengthening its presence in Malaysia across all brand segments, with 13 open hotels and eight in the pipeline, including the upcoming debuts of the Regent and Vignette Collection brands in the market.
At a Glance
voco Muar — IHG Hotels & Resorts – Milestone: first internationally branded hotel in Muar, Johor – Partner: KCC Hotel (Muar) Sdn Bhd, subsidiary of KCC Holdings Group – Rooms: 107, opening later this year – Location: KCC City Business Park, ~40 min from Malacca – Brand context: voco’s 2nd Malaysia property, after Kuching (opened June 2026) – Global voco footprint: 137 open hotels – IHG Malaysia: 13 open hotels, 8 in pipeline, including upcoming Regent and Vignette Collection debuts
