If you’re heading to Borneo anytime soon, there’s a new place to check into. voco Kuching has officially opened its doors, marking the debut of the voco hotels brand in Malaysia and bringing a fresh premium stay option to Sarawak’s capital.
The 321-room hotel welcomed its first guests today, introducing IHG Hotels & Resorts’ lifestyle-focused concept to Kuching, a city increasingly on the radar for both leisure travellers and business events.
Located just minutes from Kuching International Airport, the hotel is designed with convenience in mind. Inside, guests can choose from standard rooms, premium balcony rooms, suites, or penthouse suites, depending on how far they want to stretch their stay.
What sets voco apart is its approach to consistency without feeling standardised. At voco Kuching, that comes through in a relaxed, unfussy design inspired by Sarawak’s easy-going character, paired with the reliability of a global hotel brand.
For the team behind the project, the opening is also about positioning Kuching as a stronger hospitality and events destination. General Manager Magdalina Chung stated the hotel is intended to be more than just a place to stay.
“We hope to create a place where travellers and locals alike can connect, slow down, share experiences, and leave with stories worth remembering,” she said, adding that the launch reflects the work of hundreds of people who helped bring the hotel to life.
Food and social spaces are central to the experience. LUMA, the hotel’s signature restaurant, focuses on a mix of local flavours and international dishes, while AMPM shifts between café and bar, designed as a casual meeting point that works just as well for daytime coffee as it does for evening drinks.
The hotel is also aiming to tap into Kuching’s growing events market. With more than 2,400 square metres of function space, it includes the Rainforest Ballroom — one of the largest hotel ballrooms in the city — with capacity for up to 1,350 guests. That puts it firmly in play for conferences, weddings, and large-scale gatherings.
Sustainability is part of the design from the start, following voco’s “step by step” approach. That includes filtered drinking water systems, energy-efficient operations, bulk bathroom amenities, and bedding made using recycled materials.
More broadly, the opening strengthens IHG Hotels & Resorts’ footprint in Malaysia and adds to Sarawak’s appeal as a destination for both tourism and regional business events. A formal grand opening celebration is expected later this year, bringing together government figures, industry stakeholders, and the local community.
