Bangkok--11 Oct--BWI Best Western Courtyard at 1B places the Best Western brand at 1 Borneo, the hottest new lifestyle hypermall in Sabah, East Malaysia. Best Western has landed a cornerstone location at the iconic 1 Borneo (1B) lifestyle hypermall in Sabah, East Malaysia. The141-room Best Western Courtyard Hotel at 1B will feature high-standard comforts at the cutting-edge integrated complex. Best Western International Hotels Sdn Bhd inked the Memorandum of Understanding with Courtyard Hotel Management Sdn Bhd on 4 October at an event attended by Tourism, Culture & Environment Minister YB Datuk Masidi Manjun. Managing Director of BWI Hotels Sdn Bhd, Naresh Mohan and Courtyard’s Raymond Chan represented their respective firms at the signing ceremony. "Courtyard will use Best Western's name. It will be Best Western's first hotel in Kota Kinabalu and East Malaysia," BWI Hotels Sdn Bhd managing director Naresh Mohan told reporters at the agreement signing ceremony with Courtyard on October 4, 2008. Best Western Courtyard Hotel at 1B will feature a contemporary design outfitted for business and leisure travelers. The hotel will provide a rooftop lounge, cigar bar, coffeehouse, health and foot reflexology center, a business center and meeting rooms. The hotel will be connected to extensive ballrooms capable of hosting up to 1,800 conference delegates. Opening early 2008, 1B encompasses four condominiums, an Oceanarium and amusement center, gourmet restaurants, a spa and international brand boutiques. The Sagajuta (S) Sdn Bhd development has already leased 85% of its retail space. Best Western currently operates over 100 hotels in Asia with another 32 properties in various stages of development, and it aims to be the largest hotel chain in Asia by 2010 with over 200 hotels. ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(r), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to 4,200* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. Founded in 1946, this iconic brand is host to approximately 400,000 worldwide guests each night. A pioneer within the industry, Best Western is recognized for its distinctive business model and diverse hotel portfolio. The company continues to innovate and enhance both the business and leisure travel experience. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com. Media contact: Kanapa Pitakpong Public Relations Coordinator BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Phone: +662 654 1400 Fax: +662 654 1414 [email protected] Kalaya Sukprasertchai Public Relations Coordinator BWI (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Phone: +662 654 1400 Fax: +662 654 1414 [email protected]