Casa Del Rio breaks ground in Malacca

Boutique hotel developer Casa del Rio (M) Sdn Bhd (CdR) jump-started its foray into Malacca last week by breaking ground for its latest project featuring a boutique hotel and serviced apartment.

Aptly dubbed Casa del Rio Melaka, which translates into “Malacca’s home by the river”, the RM85 million venture will take shape on 3.2 acres beside the city’s historic river and be part of the state’s RM320 million Malacca River beautification plan.

The project comprising a 56-room boutique hotel and 32 serviced apartments is expected to welcome guests by early November 2009.

CdR group managing director Tan Sri Syed Yusof Syed Nasir said the essence of Peranakan architecture, with “charming courtyards” as well as the beauty of the Malacca sultanate heritage, will be evident in the architectural design.

Casa del Rio Melaka will also offer alfresco dining facilities overlooking the river, a fullservice spa, fitness centre, state-of-the-art meeting rooms and an infinity-edge swimming pool.

Residents of the serviced apartments will be able to enjoy all the hotel’s facilities, in addition to resident-only amenities such as a private garden, elevated pool deck and large private balconies offering panoramic views of the city and coastline.

“The project will set Malacca as an international destination that offers world-class accommodation and residential living to domestic and international markets,” said Syed Yusof at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony recently.

The state government forecasts 6.8 million tourist arrivals in Malacca this year, a 10 per cent increase over last year’s figure.

When completed, Syed Yusof said the hotel and serviced apartments will be managed and operated by CdR.

In addition to the company’s Casa del Mar hotel in Langkawi, Syed Yusof also owns the Concorde hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam, Concorde Inn at the KL International Airport and the 18-room Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands.

Also under his belt are speciality restaurants and entertainment chains such as Genki Sushi, Saloma Theatre Restaurant, Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood.

By New Straits Times (by Chris Prasad)