Golden Land, Maple Hospitality to introduce MapleSuites brand in Sabah project

KUALA LUMPUR: Golden Land Bhd (GLB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maple Hospitality Group (MHG), introducing the MapleSuites brand in Sabah through its upcoming project, The Playground @ Kota Kinabalu.

Under the exclusive collaboration, The Playground @ Kota Kinabalu will be the only project in Sabah operating under the MapleSuites brand, positioning the development as a distinctive lifestyle-driven hospitality destination in the state that integrates modern short-stay living, lifestyle experiences, and long-term investment value.

The partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, combining GLB's aspirational development vision with MHG's hospitality management expertise to create an integrated hospitality ecosystem in Kota Kinabalu while enhancing the long-term value proposition of GLB's Sabah assets.

"The Playground @ Kota Kinabalu reflects our aspiration to create a development that goes beyond conventional real estate by integrating culture, lifestyle, hospitality, and long-term value creation," said Stewart Yap, chief executive officer of GLB.

"By aligning with a strong hospitality operator such as MHG, we are able to enhance the long-term value proposition of our Sabah assets while strengthening our presence in East Malaysia," he said.

Purpose-built to cater to the growing demand for urban short-stay living, The Playground @ Kota Kinabalu is designed as a commercial suites development blending lifestyle, hospitality, and community-focused experiences. The project reflects GLB's broader expansion strategy in Sabah, underpinned by rising tourism demand, expanding business travel, and growing investor interest in serviced accommodation.

Founded in Sabah in 1982, GLB began its journey in the timber industry under the name Tanah Emas Telupid Sdn Bhd and later diversified into plantation operations in 1986, laying the foundation for its long-term growth and expansion. In 2016, GLB expanded into property development with the launch of Midtown Plaza Sandakan, marking the group's entry into the real estate sector.

Its development portfolio now includes Golden Gateway in Penang, D'Sini Residences in Setia Alam, Taman Lavender Residences in Bentong, and The Playground @ Kota Kinabalu.

MHG, Malaysia's largest short-stay property management company chain, currently manages more than 3,000 rooms across major tourism and business destinations in the country. It operates three hospitality brands under its ecosystem—MapleHome, MapleSuites, and MapleReserve.

"Sabah represents a strong growth corridor for the hospitality industry, driven by increasing tourism demand and rising interest in quality short-stay accommodation," said Danny Hor, co-founder of MHG.

"We believe strategic collaborations such as this allow us to deliver better hospitality experiences while creating long-term value for property owners, guests, and the wider tourism ecosystem," he said.