Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to open its first Aloft hotel in Kuala Lumpur in early 2013.

The Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral is the latest in Starwood’s lifestyle brand group, which mainly targets young, trendy travellers.

The hotel will feature 482 rooms within a 31-storey tower, several function rooms and a Ballroom which can accommodate up to 850 persons.

Guests will be welcomed at the Aloft front desk and warmly hosted in the Re:mix lobby lounge. Hotel guests can also expect a unique, urbanely experience from its wide range of amenities namely the “w xyz” theme bar, the Re:fuel bar, “nook” all-day-dining restaurant, Re:charge fitness centre, Chill Out Sky Bar, infinity sky and wading pools as well as the Touch & Go kiosk providing Internet-based services.

The hotel tower is located next to the upcoming NU Sentral Mall, which is part of Lot G that forms a mixed commercial project comprising two other Grade A Office Towers in KL Sentral. Both the hotel and office towers are developed by Excellent Bonanza Sdn Bhd [a 60:40 joint venture between Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (‘MRCB’) and Ireka’s associate company, Aseana]. The development manager for the hotel is Ireka Development Management Sdn Bhd (‘IDM’), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ireka Corporation Berhad.

“Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral will bring a dynamic mix of urban style and social interplay to the KL Sentral area. The Aloft brand’s bold design and social atmosphere is a big draw for the next generation of travellers, who expect their lodging to reflect their constantly evolving lifestyle,” explained Chuck Abbott, Regional Vice President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Southeast Asia.

“We are very excited to bring in the brand new Aloft brand to Malaysia. Aloft is a lifestyle brand which epitomises a unique, personalised experience that urbanites long for as they travel, be it on business or for leisure. We are confident that Aloft Sentral will serve the niche market, given its strategic location, strong branding and unique product offering,” said Lai Voon Hon, President & CEO of Ireka Development Management Sdn Bhd, the parent company of Iringan Flora.