hotel June 23, 2026

IHG Expands Lifestyle Footprint in Malaysia with Debut of voco in Kuching

IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its presence in Malaysia with the debut of voco hotels in Kuching. Learn how this affects IHG One Rewards members.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has officially expanded its Malaysian portfolio with the opening of voco Kuching, marking the brand’s debut in the country. This launch signals a strategic move to increase IHG’s lifestyle hotel presence across Southeast Asia.

voco’s Arrival in Sarawak

The new property introduces the personality-driven voco brand to the Sarawak region. As part of the broader IHG Hotels & Resorts family, the hotel joins a diverse portfolio that includes InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, and the Vignette Collection. The expansion provides a new anchor for the IHG One Rewards loyalty program in the area.

Maximizing IHG One Rewards: Points, Transfers, and Certificates

For IHG One Rewards members, the opening of voco Kuching offers significant opportunities for optimized redemptions. Travelers holding the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card can find this property to be a valuable destination for both earning and redeeming points. A key advantage for those looking to leverage external rewards is that IHG One Rewards points can be transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, making the hotel an attractive option for Chase cardholders planning a trip to Malaysia.

While the standard value of IHG points typically ranges between 0.5 and 0.6 cents per point, members can find much higher value through the program’s unique certificate mechanics. Unlike Marriott, which caps point top-offs for Free Night Certificates at 25,000 points, IHG One Rewards allows for unlimited point top-offs. This flexibility is particularly beneficial when using certificates to book higher-tier lifestyle properties like voco. Additionally, travelers can take advantage of the 4th-night free reward on award stays, which provides superior value compared to the 5th-night free models utilized by competitors like Hilton or Marriott.

Filling a Niche in the Lifestyle Market

voco occupies a specific strategic position within the IHG ecosystem, sitting comfortably between the midscale offerings of Holiday Inn and the high-end luxury experience of InterContinental. In the competitive lifestyle sector, voco competes with brands such as Marriott’s Moxy and Hilton’s Canopy. It is designed for travelers who seek a modern, character-filled hotel experience that avoids the rigid formality of traditional luxury, yet offers more personality than a standard business hotel.

Traveler Tips: Planning Your Kuching Stay

If you are planning a trip to Kuching, consider the following tips to maximize your experience:

Check Loyalty Tiers: If you hold elite status—ranging from Club to Diamond Elite—be sure to check for specific benefits available at the new property.
Optimize Your Booking: To get the most out of your points, aim to book stays in four-night increments to trigger the 4th-night free award benefit.
Monitor Rates: Availability and introductory rates for the new property can be tracked directly through the IHG website or mobile app.
Use Transfer Partners: If you are short on IHG points, check your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance to see if a 1:1 transfer can cover your stay.

Learn more in our Guide to IHG One Rewards.