Thailand-based Onyx Hospitality Group has been appointed to operate a 207-room property in the Malaysian town of Johor Bahru.

Amari Johor Bahru is owned by Exquisite Mode (a subsidiary of United Malayan Land) and will be managed by Onyx under their upscale Amari brand.

The property will offer a selection of Amari’s signature features including an Asian Food Gallery, Breeze Spa and Idea (meeting) Rooms.

The property is scheduled to open in 2015 and is part of the Suasana Iskandar Malaysia development, which also offers serviced apartments for sale and a retail podium.

The development is within a 5-minute walk of the upcoming JB Sentral Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) which will link Johor Bahru and Singapore.

Located in southern Malaysia, Johor Bahru is becoming a popular weekend escape for families and leisure travellers.

Singapore is currently Johor’s top source of international arrivals, followed by Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines and India.

Johor’s department of tourism is aiming for 24.2 million arrivals in 2013, having recorded 12.6 million as of July.

The state of Johor offers a number of popular attractions, including Johor Premium Outlets, Legoland Malaysia, Danga World theme park and the Angry Birds Activity Park.

ONYX president Peter Henley said: “We are very excited to be in a position to announce our second hotel development in Malaysia, so soon after the first.

“As a Thai company, having a presence in one of our closest neighbouring countries has always been a priority for us.

“We are excited to be joining forces with Exquisite Mode and bringing the first Amari to Malaysia with Amari Johor Bahru. Amari has become a household name in Thailand and we look forward to building that level of brand recognition in Malaysia.”