Chinese hospitality company H World Group is continuing its expansion across Southeast Asia, bringing its refined JI Hotel brand to two new countries: Malaysia and Cambodia. With three new properties signed—one in central Kuala Lumpur and two in Phnom Penh—the move signals a growing appetite for thoughtfully designed, midscale hotels that blend modern comfort with serene, Eastern aesthetics.
JI Hotel is one of H World’s flagship brands and it is a name well known among design-conscious travellers in China and Singapore. Known for minimalist interiors, natural textures, and seamless digital conveniences, it offers a calming alternative to the heavy-handed style of traditional business hotels. This latest move marks H World’s first foray into Malaysia, and further strengthens its foothold in Cambodia, where demand for quality, value-driven accommodation is rising rapidly.
Pulse Of The City
Rendering of JI Hotel Downtown Kuala Lumpur, the first JI Hotel in Malaysia.
In Kuala Lumpur, JI Hotel will take up residence in the lively Dang Wangi district, right in the heart of the city. The 101-room hotel is scheduled to open in late 2026, showcasing JI Hotel’s new “5.0” design concept—a serene mix of Oriental influences and modern finishes. Positioned for both business and leisure guests, it promises a peaceful base in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic capitals.
Over in Phnom Penh, two distinct properties are in the pipeline. The first, located in the city’s bustling business and government district, will see an existing building transformed into a 130-room JI Hotel by mid-2026. Perched on the banks of the Mekong, the second development offers 110 rooms where sweeping river views set the stage for a refined stay. Opening in Q3 2026, the riverside hotel will blend JI Hotel’s signature minimalist design with Khmer-inspired details, offering a stay that feels both locally rooted and globally appealing.
Regional Expansion
Rendering of JI Hotel by the Mekong River in Vientiane.
Murphy Zhu, President of H World Asia Pacific, emphasised the group’s long-term commitment to the region. “We’re not only introducing a well-established Chinese brand to new markets,” he said, “we’re also bringing our expertise in digital operations, supply chain efficiency, and development know-how to partners across Southeast Asia.”
The new announcements come amid a wider regional push for H World. In recent years, the group has launched its first MAXX by Steigenberger hotel in Cambodia and made its debut in Laos with four new signings. It also recently celebrated the six-year anniversary of JI Hotel Orchard Road in Singapore, its very first overseas property, and a quiet success story in the city’s competitive hospitality scene.
JI Hotel Xiao Shanqing “Guest Listening” Zone.
There’s a noticeable shift happening in travel preferences across the region. As travellers increasingly seek experiences that feel authentic, efficient and aesthetically calming, brands like JI Hotel are carving out a niche that blends the comforts of home with the beauty of restraint.
With its latest moves into Malaysia and Cambodia, H World is proving that East Asian hospitality design has a global role to play and that midscale no longer means middle-of-the-road.
