The Ascott has secured contracts to manage its first Citadines Apart’hotels in Vietnam, Sabah, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

The 200-unit Citadines Regency Saigon is slated to open in the vibrant commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3 in 2018 while the 253-unit Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu is scheduled to open within the heart of the city in 2018.

The 81-unit Citadines Culture Village Dubai will open in 2017 within Culture Village, an area poised to become the artistic and cultural hub of Dubai.

Lee Chee Koon, Ascott chief executive, said: “Citadines is one of our fastest growing brands.

“Since we fully acquired the Citadines Apart’hotel chain in 2004, we have more than doubled our Citadines portfolio from the initial 5,100 apartment units in 18 European cities to more than 12,000 units in 81 properties and 52 cities across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region.

“With the fast-growing middle class and the rise of low-cost air travel, we are seeing more independent travellers who enjoy the flexibility to choose the services according to their lifestyles.”

Lee added: “We see tremendous opportunities for our international-class serviced residences to expand in Vietnam, Malaysia and the UAE.

“Vietnam has seen a steady growth in foreign direct investments in 2014, 70 per cent of which were from the manufacturing and processing sectors.

“Visitor arrivals also grew to nearly eight million last year and Ho Chi Minh City accounted for more than 50 per cent of the arrivals.

“We expect demand for serviced residences from expatriates and travellers to increase.

“The addition of Citadines Regency Saigon will strengthen Ascott’s leadership position as the largest international serviced residence owner-operator in Vietnam.”

Citadines Regency Saigon has a prime location close to several foreign embassies, Grade A office towers and a variety of retail, dining and entertainment options, surrounded by French colonial-style buildings along tree-lined avenues.

The serviced residence is near the Central Business District area of District 1 where popular tourist hotspots such as the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum are also located.

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu is a short ten-minute drive from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Adjacent to Kota Kinabalu’s Waterfront development that will comprise an upscale shopping mall and a seafront boardwalk lined with varied dining options, the serviced residence will offer residents a great view of the South China Sea.

Strategically located within the integrated Culture Village community, Citadines Culture Village Dubai is surrounded by retail and commercial developments such as schools, art galleries, performing arts centres, museums, restaurants and designer boutiques.

There are also waterways, bridges and parks nearby. The serviced residence will offer studios and one-bedroom apartments that are fully-equipped with a kitchen, living area and separate work area.

Guests can enjoy an array of amenities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium, breakfast lounge, residents’ lounge and internet corner.