Malaysia Travel Rises as Dusit Princess Ipoh Opens New Gateway to Heritage Food and Nature

Written By: Binoy Mehera

Binoy Mehera

A curious mind driven by a passion for storytelling, I find inspiration in uncovering hidden perspectives, exploring diverse experiences, and shaping ideas into narratives that leave an impact. With three years of experience in journalism and content creation, I have developed a strong instinct for identifying meaningful stories, blending research with creativity, and presenting information in a way that connects with readers. My storytelling journey is guided by a fascination for culture, travel, lifestyle, and the human experiences that define our world. I aim to create narratives that not only inform but also spark curiosity, evoke emotions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of every story.

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September 7, 2026 11:47 AM

Malaysia Travel will have new opportunities with Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ pending October 2026 opening of Dusit Princess Ipoh. The hospitality company will introduce its Thai-inspired services and concepts, and will operate the first hotel of its kind in Ipoh. This will provide travelers with a new way to experience all of Ipoh’s heritage, food, and nature sites.

The 268-room hotel will operate under the upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand and is positioned close to central Ipoh, giving leisure and business travellers convenient access to the city’s historic districts, food scene, natural attractions and transport connections.

New Hotel Strengthens Ipoh’s Growing Visitor Accommodation

Ipoh lies around 200 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur and developed into an important commercial centre during the tin-mining boom of the late nineteenth century.

Much of that history remains visible across the city today. Colonial-era architecture, traditional shophouses, local coffee shops and long-established businesses continue to shape the character of Ipoh’s historic centre.

The city has also become increasingly attractive to travellers interested in Malaysian food culture. Local favourites range from dim sum and traditional noodle dishes to Ipoh white coffee, which is traditionally made using coffee beans roasted with margarine to create its distinctive aroma and flavour.

Beyond the urban centre, the wider Kinta Valley offers another major attraction. Dramatic limestone hills, caves and temples provide opportunities for sightseeing, nature-based excursions and outdoor exploration, allowing visitors to combine cultural experiences with trips into the surrounding landscape.

Strategic Location Near Ipoh City Centre and Airport

Dusit Princess Ipoh is located beside the Perak Turf Club and is less than five minutes by car from Ipoh city centre.

Sultan Azlan Shah Airport is approximately 10 minutes away, providing convenient access for travellers arriving by air. The airport also has direct connectivity with Singapore, helping position the hotel for regional visitors as well as domestic travellers.

The property is designed to serve several travel segments, including short city breaks, longer stays, family holidays, corporate trips and organised events.

268 Rooms Designed for Leisure Business and Family Stays

Accommodation at the hotel will be spread across five room categories.

Room sizes range from 25 square metres for Superior Rooms to 58 square metres for Family Suites, giving guests a choice of layouts depending on the purpose and length of their stay.

Rooms overlook either the Perak Turf Club or the Ipoh skyline and include high-speed Wi-Fi, smart televisions, quality bedding, personal safes and dedicated work areas.

Families and guests planning extended stays will have additional flexibility through Family Rooms and Family Suites equipped with kitchenettes. These facilities are intended to make longer visits more practical by giving travellers greater independence during their stay.

Swimming Pool Kids Club Fitness Centre and Guest Facilities

A broad range of facilities has been incorporated into the property to support both short and extended visits.

Guests will have access to an outdoor swimming pool, Kids Club, self-service laundry facilities, accessible rooms and a prayer room. Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi will also be available throughout the hotel.

Fitness facilities will cover approximately 6,580 square feet, providing guests with extensive exercise and workout options as well as extended opening hours.

The combination of leisure, family and practical facilities reflects the hotel’s positioning as an upper-midscale property designed for different types of travellers.

Malaysian Flavours Take Centre Stage at The Atrium

Food and beverage facilities will include The Atrium, a naturally illuminated all-day dining restaurant overlooking Ipoh’s limestone hills and urban landscape.

Breakfast will combine Malaysian and regional favourites with international choices.

Local dishes expected to feature include nasi lemak, roti canai, kway teow goreng and dim sum, while continental breakfast options will also be available. The restaurant will continue serving a combination of local and international dishes throughout the day.

A lobby coffee shop will provide another casual dining option, serving speciality teas, coffees and juices together with pastries and desserts.

The emphasis on Malaysian dishes is particularly relevant in Ipoh, where food has become one of the strongest elements of the visitor experience.

Nearly 1000 Square Metres of Event Space

Dusit Princess Ipoh will also target Malaysia’s meetings, incentives, conferences, weddings and social events market.

The property will provide three flexible venues covering approximately 964 square metres of combined event space.

The largest facility will be the 496.8-square-metre Kinta Ballroom, capable of accommodating as many as 400 guests in theatre-style seating or around 300 guests for round-table functions.

The ballroom will include an LED screen, adjustable lighting and an integrated sound system to support conferences, presentations, celebrations and other large-scale functions.

Two additional venues will broaden the hotel’s event offering.

The 383-square-metre Kampar Hall will cater to medium-sized gatherings, while the 84-square-metre Gopeng Room will provide space for smaller meetings and private events.

Together, the three venues allow organisers to select different room sizes according to the scale and format of each gathering.

Ipoh Gains Another Option for Regional and Domestic Travellers

The opening of Dusit Princess Ipoh on 1 October 2026 adds another internationally branded accommodation option to Perak’s capital as the city continues to attract travellers through its heritage, cuisine and distinctive limestone landscapes.

Its location near central Ipoh, the airport and major local attractions could make the property particularly relevant for regional visitors seeking convenient access to both the urban centre and surrounding Kinta Valley.

With 268 rooms, family-friendly accommodation, long-stay facilities, dining, recreational amenities and substantial meeting space, the property has been structured to serve leisure travellers, families, business visitors and event groups under one roof.

For Ipoh, the opening also strengthens the range of accommodation available to visitors exploring one of Malaysia’s most distinctive heritage and culinary destinations.

“With accommodation and facilities designed to meet the needs of leisure travellers, families, business guests, government delegations, and event groups, Dusit Princess Ipoh represents a compelling opportunity to introduce the welcoming character of the Dusit Princess brand to a city with such a strong identity and well-established appeal,” said Mr Chanin Donavanik, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit International. “Perak welcomed 23.6 million domestic visitors in 2025, making it one of Malaysia’s three most visited states. This strong demand, together with Ipoh’s convenient access from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, gives the city considerable potential to attract more international visitors. Working with Plenitude Berhad, we are building on the strengths of an established property to support that growth while helping guests connect more deeply with the destination.”

Madam Elsie Chua, Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Plenitude Berhad, said, “Dusit Princess Ipoh marks a new chapter for this established property and for Plenitude’s hospitality portfolio. Building on the property’s longstanding presence in Ipoh, we
are delighted to bring the distinctive warmth of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the city through a recognised international brand, while embracing the character, culture, and local flavours that make Ipoh unique. We look forward to creating a welcoming gateway for guests to experience Ipoh – combining the qualities and standards associated with the Dusit Princess brand with the authentic spirit of the destination.”

Guests staying at Dusit Princess Ipoh will have convenient access to some of the city’s most popular heritage attractions. The hotel is located close to Ipoh Old Town, where visitors can explore famous landmarks such as Concubine Lane, a historic street filled with independent shops, cafés and local stalls, as well as Kong Heng Square, a restored heritage area featuring unique local businesses. Popular dining spots and commercial districts are also easily accessible from the property.

To encourage guests to discover the destination beyond the hotel, Dusit Princess Ipoh will introduce its “Discover the Soul of Ipoh” programme, offering locally guided experiences focused on heritage, cuisine, nature, wellness and family activities.

The programme includes heritage photography walks through Ipoh’s historic streets, visits to Tambun pomelo farms and limestone cave temples, food journeys showcasing Ipoh white coffee and traditional Malaysian desserts, and hands-on Labu Sayong pottery workshops, highlighting one of Perak’s traditional crafts. Families can also enjoy cooking sessions and evening wildlife experiences designed to create memorable local connections.

As part of its opening celebration, Dusit Princess Ipoh is offering special accommodation rates starting from RM 230 (approximately USD 57) per room per night. The offer includes RM 50 (approximately USD 12) daily food and beverage credit and is available for stays between 1 October and 31 December 2026, subject to applicable terms and conditions.