A whole New World

It is the first hotel of its kind to open in Kelana Jaya, and the first hotel opening in Petaling Jaya this year. It also boasts a great view of the KL Tower and KLCC on a clear day.
This is what Jai Kishan, the general manager of New World Petaling Jaya Hotel, told me when we met up for an interview recently.
The hotel opened its doors on Jan 17 this year, and is already enjoying good reviews from the stream of corporations holding events at its spacious ballroom and also its restaurants.
Prior to coming here, Jai, 44, cut his teeth working in hotels in countries like India, Taiwan, Australia, and Singapore.
“I have been in the hotel industry for the past 20 years,” Jai said. “I started off as a waiter at the Hyatt Regency in Delhi.”
After a year of waiting tables, he moved on to bartending, and later to the banquet side for a while. Tired of carrying trays and cleaning up, he went to Switzerland to do his post-graduate studies in hotel management.
After graduating, he worked with Hilton Taipei and other international hotel chains, starting in the front office and moving up the ladder to become general manager.
“I always have a [desire] to work in Malaysia. Right now, it is the gateway to East Asia. In terms of location and natural resources, there is [a lot] happening.”
He is no stranger to the hospitality scene in Malaysia as he was part of the team that helped with the pre-opening stages of a number of five-star hotels in the city.
Jai intends to inculcate what he calls the relationship hospitality culture in New World Petaling Jaya Hotel.
“The way we define it, is that it is engaging, it is perceptive, it is genuine, [and] it is inquisitive.”
Jai adds that it is his job to make sure everybody is happy – from his guests, to his people who have to take care of the guests.
New World PJ is a business hotel, but it also caters to families.
Pointing out the hotel’s design, which is contemporary, yet relaxed, he adds: “What we are calling it is a full-service upscale business hotel. What that means is that weekdays (Mondays to Fridays) are predominantly for business guests, while the weekends are for leisure guests.”
New World PJ (below) is located along the LDP highway between Sunway Lagoon and 1 Utama Shopping Centre, and is also connected to Paradigm Mall.
Jai explains: “For a hotel, location is the key.
“If your hotel’s location comes with other amenities like dining, shopping or recreation like a jogging track or golf course, that becomes key to making a decision.”
The hotel is also next to an office tower and a residential tower. Guests also have easy access to public transportation not only to other nearby attractions, but also the airports.
Right now the hotel is fully operational, with eight meeting rooms, one ballroom that can easily hold 1,000 people, two restaurants, one lobby lounge, one Residence Club Lounge and 300 guest rooms.
The Malaysian cultural influence is evident when you walk into the lobby, with its six-metre-high wau visible against the hotel’s structure, as well as a three-metre-tall gasing on the lobby lounge floor.
The lobby lounge also offers drinks and snacks.
There are five types of guest rooms and suites with area space ranging from 36sq m (for the Deluxe Room) to 75sq m (Residence Suite).
There is an all-day Malaysian-themed restaurant called Pasar Baru, complete with action stations, that offers an array of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine.
The PJ’s Bar & Grill serves up western and Asian-inspired grilled dishes and creative cocktails. There is even a cigar lounge.
The venue also provides a spectacular view of Petaling Jaya and the sight of the KL Tower and KLCC twin towers in the distance.
If you live in the Residence Club Deluxe and Residence Club Premier rooms you will have access to Residence Club privileges, including access to the its club lounge which serves complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, all-day refreshments, and evening cocktails.