Meritus Hotels & Resorts' success story as a homegrown Singapore brand began with the founding of its flagship hotel, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, then Meritus Mandarin Singapore, on Orchard Road in the late 1960s. The hospitality group has since expanded throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China - delivering its signature Asian grace, warmth and care across deluxe properties located in gateway cities and tranquil sanctuaries. Meritus found renewed vigour as a hotel management company under real estate owner, developer and operator Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE). Singapore Exchange-listed OUE boasts a diversified portfolio encompassing landmark assets across the commercial, hospitality, retail and residential sectors primarily in Singapore. Leveraging more than 40 years of hotel management expertise, Meritus is embarking on a brand push to pave the way for a development pipeline that aims to grow its portfolio to at least 40 hotels and resorts by 2016. "We are ready to take the Meritus name even further, and transition from a single- to a multi-brand hotel chain," says deputy CEO Chua Tian Chu. "Meritus takes pride in epitomising true Asian hospitality and bringing the experience to more locations beyond the region, and we are confident we are positioned as a brand to succeed." Meritus' portfolio includes Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Marina Mandarin Singapore, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi, Meritus Surabaya City Centre, Meritus Mandarin Haikou and Meritus Shantou China. "People are the key to success, and they certainly are for Meritus," Chua says. "This is reflected in the relationships we establish - whether with our international business partners, our committed staff or the thousands of guests we welcome through our doors every day." It is the same "people-centric" formula that Meritus aims to cultivate in its overseas markets such as the mainland, where Chua sees the hospitality industry tending to focus more on infrastructure rather than service. Adding to Meritus' presence in China are four more hotels in Chongqing and a resort in Hainan. A 500-key Meritus hotel will be built on a site known as A13 in the Jiangbei district of Chongqing. Standing 470 metres high, it is set to become the tallest building in south-western China once completed in 2016. The complex will also feature residential apartments, office spaces and a high-end shopping mall. To be simultaneously developed are a 300-room hotel in the business area of Jiangjin, a 420-room hotel in Hechuan, and a luxurious lake resort in Shuangqiao showcasing 180 units that include hill and spa villas. In Hainan, Meritus is gearing up to launch a 400-room hot spring spa and golf resort on Nanli Lake. "As an operator that thinks from an owner's perspective, we always try to add value, bring in the right people, and exceed expectations," says Chua. "This can be exemplified by the strong gross operating margins we deliver. We believe that our track record is our advantage, and that it is the opportune time to grow our brand in Southeast Asia and particularly in China." In Southeast Asia, projects in the pipeline include a hotel in Penang, two resorts in Bali, and another two in Riau Islands. One groundbreaking project, Meritus Funtasy Island Resort, is set to be a milestone not only for the company but also for Indonesia. Designed to be the largest eco theme park in the world, Meritus Funtasy Island Resort will combine hotel suites and villas with retail, convention, dining and recreational facilities over 810 acres of pristine islands between Batam and Singapore. "Our target is to grow our portfolio to 40 by 2016 and as many as 100 within the next decade," Chua says. "As we grow and further foster Asian hospitality through the Meritus experience, we also look forward to grooming more talent for the industry's future." Meritus Hotels & Resorts Website: www.meritushotels.com
