THOSE eyeing or are already in the hotel business should read “Why do people keep investing in hotels”, with Part 1 and 2 both published in Focus Malaysia on April 7.
They were written by experts with unrivalled credentials. In contrast, I have only slept in hotels and never worked in the hospitality industry. But if given the option, what type of hotel would I choose to build and operate?
Decades ago, I would have erected a skyscraper in the city centre to house 800 guest rooms, with supporting facilities and amenities for a great five-star hotel. It would be a clear proof that our tourism industry has come of age and a great boost to my ego.
But it will not take long for me to fall flat on the ground when profits are marginal, if any, due to high fixed and operating costs needed to maintain quality standards and services that must be delivered in luxury and business-class hotels.
Today, tall office or hotel buildings built decades ago have lost much of their lustre, with the exception of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers that continue to be the landmark of Kuala Lumpur, drawing endless visitors daily eager to record ‘been there, done that’ selfies.
Would a resort hotel be a better bet? If so, should it be on mountainous terrain, or at lower elevation in a jungle with a mountain stream, or on the coast facing the sea? Here, occupancy will be higher over weekends and holidays, unlike on weekdays for business-class hotels.
Operating a hotel enveloped by cool mountain air may save on air-conditioning but is not enough to offset many challenges such as reaching the property, and guests would have to battle through holiday traffic, higher transport costs for all, including staff and their accommodation.
Although the seas around Malaysia are relatively warm compared to those icy-cold in winter for temperate countries, swimming pools are built in all decent beach resorts, as it is dangerous to swim in the open sea, more so with unseen undercurrents and possibly of jellyfish stings.
Instead of travelling all the way to stay at the seaside, one can have a better staycation at a city hotel with a pool if swimming is desired. Guests would have easy access to the best shopping, entertainment and dining nearby, instead of limiting food and beverage within a hotel.
Another option is to build a chain of motels near many rest and refreshment (R&R) areas along highways in Malaysia after working out the toll ticketing system with various operators. These areas are already supplied with water and electricity, and only the capacity needs to be boosted.
Motels provide a great service for tired road travellers or those needing a quiet retreat or couples desiring privacy, and their popularity will grow rapidly.
These single storey cabins in a row can be built quickly and require only the land, a staff for checking in, and basic housekeeping service.
With lowest possible overheads, these motels are likely to be profitable and would soon attract a large number of investors. Also, their modus operandi can easily be replicated in many parts of the country, not just off highways, which is just a great starting point.
But the hotel I would like to build will not be considered by any sane businessman. It is also unlike any other hotel and would be designed to serve dual-purpose. The first is overnight accommodation for those seeking a different experience found nowhere else.
The second is to hold detainees temporarily for one or more nights by enforcement agencies such as the police or immigration departments that have run out of space in their detention centres. Therefore, it will be designed and can be operated like a prison with adequate security.
But it will be exceptionally clean with basic comfort and privacy for paying guests. However, it would not be like in some countries where former prisons were converted into hotels full of negative chi or qi that can negatively impact a person’s wellbeing.
Although guests are locked behind bars, they could use a switch to escape in a real emergency or suffer a panic attack. Once they use the button to escape from their cell, they are considered to have checked out.
Guests will be issued T-shirts with individual serial numbers which they may wear while in prison and also take home as souvenirs for having spent time as prison inmates.
Such a hotel will provide social service and treatment of detainees will be more humane. It would be fun for those seeking authentic escapade.
Those who were pranked to stay in such accommodation may not be happy initially but would later appreciate and value the experience. – May 9, 2025
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
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