First World Hotel Reclaims Title of World's Largest Hotel

Ryan Rudnansky
by Ryan Rudnansky
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Thu August 20, 2015

PHOTO: (Right) Edward Holloway, senior vice president of hotel operations for Resorts World Genting, receiving the Guinness World Records certification for World's Largest Hotel from Mr. Alan Pixley, adjudicator for Guinness World Records in London. (Courtesy of Resorts World Genting)

First World Hotel wasn't about to give up the title of world's largest hotel that easily.

First World Hotel, a three-star property in Malaysia, was named the world's largest hotel by Guinness World Records when it had 6,118 rooms between 2006 and 2013, but it lost the title in 2014.

Now, after a renovation, it has reclaimed the title, sporting 7,351 rooms.

Mr. Alan Pixley, adjudicator for Guinness World Records, presented the award to Mr. Edward Holloway, senior vice president of hotel operations for Resorts World Genting, yesterday.

"Our congratulations go to First World Hotel for the opening of the new block and for claiming back the Guinness World Records title for the World's largest hotel," Pixley said.

"We are very pleased to once again receive this recognition," Holloway said. "The hotel has received over 35.5 million guests over the nine years since its first opened in 2006. The endorsement by the world's authority on this record-breaking achievement is icing on the cake, and more. It spells further excitement for the iconic hill resort even as it helps strengthen Malaysia on the international map for excellence in tourism and hospitality."

First World Hotel recently constructed a new block annex called 2A. It not only allowed the property to reclaim the title as world's largest hotel by number of rooms, but it also added newly decorated rooms, food and beverage outlets, and entertainment to the property.

Details such as glass toilets and USB plugins with international electric sockets now complement rooms in Tower 2 Annex, an extension to Towers 1 and 2 at the hotel. New rooms also sport a "functional but chic" design, while also placing priority on a great bed and a great night's rest. All together, Tower 2 Annex adds 1,286 rooms.

The hotel also now features express check-in and checkout kiosks for guests (the first property to do this in Southeast Asia), "chillout" music, and the Terminal 2 Café-complete with Wi-Fi-to appeal to the contemporary crowd.

By 2016, First World Hotel plans to introduce the 20th Century Fox World Theme Park, Genting Premium Outlet, the Sky Avenue shopping mall and a new cable system.

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Ryan Rudnansky

Ryan Rudnansky

Born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. Graduated from San Diego State with a B.A. in journalism. Worked for Bleacher...

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