OUR STORY
A LEGACY OF UNFORGETTABLE STAYS
At YTL Hotels, we believe travel should do more than take you somewhere—it should stay with you. As part of YTL Corporation Berhad, a globally esteemed group, we’ve spent decades curating stays that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Whether it’s a candlelit dinner on a private island, a stylish city weekend, or a serene moment surrounded by nature, every detail is thoughtfully designed to create moments that become treasured memories.
THE BIRTH OF PANGKOR LAUT RESORT: A VISION AGAINST ALL ODDS
In 1985, the vision for Pangkor Laut Resort—One Island, One Resort—was born, defying convention and expectation. Few believed in the potential of this untouched island, a secluded paradise cradled by a 2-million-year-old rainforest, with no public ferry access or infrastructure. Yet when the Sultan of Perak entrusted YTL with its transformation, the group saw not limitations, but boundless possibilities.
The island held a rare distinction: a historic club license, a legacy that could have been exploited for profit. Instead, YTL chose reverence over excess, envisioning not just a getaway, but one of the world’s finest island retreats— where modern luxury would harmonise with primaeval nature.
The journey began humbly, with modest porta-cabins adorned with traditional thatched roofs, designed to blend into the ancient ecosystem. Even in its infancy, the resort exuded an undeniable magic, as if the rainforest itself embraced this thoughtful addition to its timeless landscape.
Within six months, the first iteration of Pangkor Laut Resort was complete, laying the foundation for a legend in hospitality and later declared “paradise” by the late maestro
Luciano Pavarotti.
REDEFINING LUXURY TRAVEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Our bold, accessible pricing strategy initially introduced travellers to the island experience, generating invaluable publicity that would ultimately transform regional luxury travel. This vision culminated in 2003, when Pangkor Laut Resort was crowned “Best Resort in the World” by Condé Nast Traveller, establishing YTL Hotels as creators of iconic, world-class destinations.
In 1996, we introduced our philosophy of warm, welcoming hospitality to urban centres with the opening of our first city property in Kuala Lumpur. Today, the AC Hotels by Marriott portfolio has expanded across Malaysia’s major cities, offering refined comfort, with each stay thoughtfully crafted to create memorable moments through genuine
service.
The following year marked another milestone with the 1997 debut of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. As the city’s first luxury boutique hotel, it immediately redefined standards for elegance and personalised service in the capital. From our humble island beginnings to our current collection of distinguished properties across Malaysia, we continue to elevate hospitality while staying true to our original vision.
A GLOBAL COLLECTION WITH LOCAL SOUL
Today, our portfolio spans the globe, with our collection of exceptional properties continually expanding. Each destination is deeply rooted in its surroundings, thoughtfully designed to celebrate local culture while delivering uncompromising excellence. Whether for couples marking life’s special moments or curious travellers pursuing authentic experiences, we create stays where every detail contributes to your unique story.
