Kamal Munasinghe, General Manager, Alila Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, talks about the newly-opened property and what makes it stand out in the Malaysian capital that is teeming with hotels and hospitality chains.
HT Bureau
Tell us about the new property.
Alila Bangsar is elevated above the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan district. The hotel, which is the group’s first property in Malaysia, is a modern, urban retreat that combines a haven for relaxation with a lively city vibe and world-class restaurant and bars. Occupying the top floors of a mixed-use development known as The Establishment, Alila Bangsar celebrates Alila Hotel & Resorts’ signature charm and is set to be an instant destination for local urbanites and international travellers alike.
A dedicated butler service in the Alila Living Room located on every guest room floor with free-flowing refreshments throughout the day ensures a highly-personalised level of guest service. Perched on level 41, guests will find a sky-level lobby leading to a pool on level 40, where they can unwind amidst tropical-style landscaping and luxurious loungers with city views that create an oasis for relaxation. Also on level 41 is a French restaurant – Entier, an avant-garde approach to fine dining. At the forefront of Kuala Lumpur’s new food order, Entier celebrates nose-to-tail dining. Chef Masashi Hirouchi is the mastermind behind Entier.
As with all Alila hotels, the destination is at the heart of the Alila Experience. Kuala Lumpur is an extraordinary and adventurous city to explore and a dedicated team is on hand to create personalised Alila moments and memories. Lifestyle activities are tailored to individual interests across five themes – Cultural learning, Conscious Living, Active Spirits, Culinary Arts, and Couple Celebration.
What’s your strategy to beckon Indian clients?
On our recent visit to India, we met all the leading travel agencies. We visited Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi. We met all our key travel partners and operators. From what we have gathered, the numbers look very promising. Besides, the number of Indians travelling to Kuala Lumpur is increasing, and Tourism Malaysia is targeting one million tourist arrivals from India by 2020. Last year, it was almost 640,000 arrivals from India. Also, since travellers today are looking for meaningful travel, we believe our Alila Experience will be able to give them a chance to learn the local culture and make their stay in Kuala Lumpur memorable. Guests can opt for learning the art of pewter crafting in a workshop at Royal Selangor or cooking up authentic Malaysian delicacies in a beautiful jungle setting overlooking the lush Penchala Hills. Guests can also enjoy the Lake Gardens and trails of the city’s most beautiful recreational park.
What challenges do you face in business?
The biggest challenge for us is the growing number of rooms. Tourism Malaysia is working very closely with the Hoteliers Association to stabilise this situation and promote Malaysia as a tourist destination. Finding the right talent for the growing number of rooms is also quite difficult. However, Tourism Malaysia has allowed us to hire talent from other countries like Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc., which is a good support. Another concern is options such as serviced apartments, homestays, etc., which have given travellers the choice of other accommodation types.
