Genting Highlands is poised to become home to the largest Hard Rock Hotel in Asia, with the opening of Hard Rock Genting Highlands scheduled for 2027. This exciting development is part of the King’s Park integrated mixed-use development, spanning 150 acres (60.7 hectares) in Genting Highlands.

Hard Rock Genting Highlands is a 45-storey hotel that will feature 371 rooms and 630 suites, bringing the total room and suite count to an impressive 1,001. The hotel will offer an array of amenities, including 200 square meters of retail space known as the “Rock Shop,” a heated swimming pool, various dining options, a spa, and a lounge and bar. This landmark project is part of the third phase of the King’s Park development.

King’s Park is a vast endeavor with a gross development value of RM10 billion, encompassing five phases. These phases comprise a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment components. The master developer of the project, King’s Park Development Sdn Bhd, is a partnership between the Yuk Tung Group and the Association for the Promotion of Higher Education in Malaysia (Aphem).

The agreement for the development of Hard Rock Genting Highlands was formally signed by Hard Rock International‘s Senior Vice President and Head of Global Business Development, Todd Hricko, and HR Resort & Residences Sdn Bhd Chairman, Lim Kim Chai. HR Resort & Residences is the builder and owner of Hard Rock Genting Highlands, while Hard Rock International will operate the hotel.

Witnesses to the signing ceremony included Hard Rock International’s Senior Vice President and Head of Asia-Pacific Hotel Business Development, Edward Chan, as well as King’s Park Development’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Datuk Jayandren Subramaniam, and Executive Vice President, Sean Chen.

Commenting on this significant partnership, Sean Chen stated, “This partnership marks a monumental milestone in the world of hospitality. Our focus is on creating an unforgettable adventure that fuses the best of high-end design with the freewheeling energy of rock ‘n’ roll. Here at King’s Park, the soon-to-be-open Hard Rock Genting Highlands in Malaysia will represent the pinnacle of high-energy fun, luxury, and elegance for solo travelers, groups of friends, and families alike.”

Chen also emphasized the positive impact the upcoming Hard Rock Genting Highlands would have on job creation and economic growth, thanks to the Hard Rock brand.

Todd Hricko, representing Hard Rock International, expressed his delight, stating, “We take enormous delight in the fact that King’s Park will be home to another iconic property for Hard Rock, holding the distinction of the largest in Asia. This strengthens Hard Rock’s position and profile in the area. Our essence lies in developing the exact experiences people seek, and I wholeheartedly believe that King’s Park, with its abundant options, would irresistibly lure [people].”

Beyond the hotel, King’s Park will witness the development of theme parks, residential properties, medical facilities, and more. The entire development is expected to be completed in approximately 10 years, further enhancing the allure of Genting Highlands as a premier destination.

Cornell Academy, a local hospitality education institution, has entered into a partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Graduate School of Business and King’s Park Genting Highlands to provide training opportunities for its students. This collaboration, signed on October 8, aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of students in the hospitality and business management sectors.

Under the agreement, the Graduate School of Business at USM will certify Cornell Academy’s Business Management courses. These certified programs will later expand to include Diploma programs covering food and beverage, retail, and entrepreneurship.

Darren Yang, Managing Director of Cornell Academy, emphasized the growing demand for comprehensive business management and hospitality skills in the thriving tourism industry. He noted that Cornell Academy aims to provide ambitious young talents not only with academic credentials but also with practical experience in the industry, preparing them for successful careers.

King’s Park Genting Highlands, described as a state-of-the-art pedestrian street of shops spanning over 2,000 meters, will provide training slots for 1,000 Cornell Academy students. These students will have the opportunity to train at King’s Park’s integrated entertainment hub, which is set to open sometime between 2026 and 2028. The hub will offer various amenities, including retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, wellness centers, and theme parks.

Sean Chen, Executive Vice-President of King’s Park Development Sdn Bhd, emphasized the importance of nurturing talented individuals in the hospitality industry. He stated that King’s Park aims to play a vital role in fostering a highly skilled talent pool tailored for this dynamic sector.

Cornell Academy offers Diploma programs in Food and Beverage, Hotel Management, and Business Management, each priced at RM36,000 for a three-year course. The program includes five days of hands-on training and one full day of classroom education per week. Importantly, students are guaranteed job opportunities upon successful course completion without any post-training bonding requirements.

This partnership between Cornell Academy, USM’s Graduate School of Business, and King’s Park Genting Highlands is expected to provide students with valuable industry-relevant skills and practical experience, setting them on a path to successful careers in the hospitality sector.