- SAND & SANDALS DESARU BEACH RESORT & SPA TO BE REIMAGINED AS A DESIGN-LED BEACHFRONT DESTINATION UNDER THE RENJOY HOTEL BRAND
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) announces its plans to introduce Southeast Asia’s first RENJOY HOTEL in Desaru, Johor, following a hotel management agreement signed with Techvance Hotel & Resort, the hospitality arm of Techvance Group.
Under the agreement, the existing Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa will be refreshed and rebranded as Renjoy Hotel Desaru, bringing the brand’s resort hospitality concept to Malaysia’s beachfront market.
By combining Techvance’s local development expertise with Jin Jiang Hotels’ international network, operating capabilities, and brand ecosystem, the partnership aims to enhance the property’s appeal to domestic and international leisure and corporate travellers.
Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate encouraging growth, recording 42.2 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, including same-day visitors, representing an 11.2% year-on-year increase[1]. China remained a key source market, contributing approximately 4.7 million visitor arrivals, up 25.1% from 2024.[2]
Johor is well-positioned to benefit from this positive momentum. According to Tourism Johor[3], the state welcomed 10.63 million overnight tourists in 2025, comprising 7.38 million domestic and 3.25 million international tourists. The state’s hospitality sector also expanded, with 34,986 hotel rooms recorded in 2025[4], representing a 9.4% year-on-year increase. Building on this growth, the state government is targeting 12 million tourists[5] under the Visit Johor Year 2026 campaign. This favourable outlook provides a strong foundation for Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) to introduce Renjoy Hotel Desaru, further strengthening its presence in Malaysia’s growing leisure and hospitality market.
Positioned in the upper-midscale segment, RENJOY HOTEL is guided by the belief that a distinctive hospitality experience should be rooted in local culture and reflect the destination’s unique character. Rather than following a standardised design template, each property draws inspiration from its surrounding landscape and cultural identity.
Renjoy Hotel Desaru will bring this philosophy to a beachfront setting. The transformation will gradually focus on refreshed guest rooms, new dining experiences and upgraded resort facilities, while preserving the beachfront character guests already know and love. The hotel will be supported by the operating standards, brand ecosystem, and membership and reservation platform of Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia), helping to balance contemporary comfort with local hospitality.
“This project marks an important step in introducing RENJOY HOTEL to Southeast Asia and in broadening our presence in Malaysia’s resort sector,” said Li Xun, the Regional General Manager of Jin Jiang Hotels in Malaysia and Indonesia. “Desaru’s beachfront setting provides a strong foundation for the brand. Together with Techvance, we look forward to bringing RENJOY HOTEL’s design philosophy and service standards to the destination while preserving the local character that makes the property distinctive.”
“Our partnership with Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) marks a new chapter for Sand & Sandals and our hospitality business,” said Dato’ Edward Lau, Managing Director, Techvance Group. “We selected a partner whose international network and operating expertise complement our local knowledge and vision for the property. Through this transformation, we aim to enhance the resort experience, strengthen its market positioning and create long-term value while retaining the hospitality our guests know.”
Malaysia remains an important market for Jin Jiang Hotels, supported by tourism demand, regional connectivity and opportunities for internationally branded hotel developments and conversions. Alongside Renjoy Hotel Desaru, Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) looks forward to welcoming 7 Days Premium Hotel at Tanjung Malim, which is expected to open in the first half of 2027. Together, the two projects reflect the company’s steady growth across different market segments and help lay the groundwork for continued expansion in the region.
ABOUT JIN JIANG HOTELS (MALAYSIA)
Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) is the Malaysian arm of Jin Jiang Hotels, China’s largest hotel group and the world’s second-largest by room count. Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (600754.SH / 900934.SH), Jin Jiang Hotels has established a diversified brand portfolio spanning economy to luxury, with a presence across more than 50 countries and regions. As of 30 June 2026, Jin Jiang Hotels operated 14,404 hotels with 1,393,084 guest rooms.
Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) is committed to expanding Jin Jiang’s diversified hotel brands and operations in Malaysia, working closely with local property owners, investors and business partners to introduce hospitality offerings that cater to domestic and international travellers.
Through strategic partnerships, local market expertise and established hotel operating capabilities, Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) aims to strengthen its market presence, expand its hotel portfolio and deliver hospitality experiences tailored to local needs, supporting the group’s broader growth strategy across Southeast Asia.
For more information, please visit www.jinjianghotels.com
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SOURCE Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia)
