By Lim Wei Sheng

Frasers Hospitality unveiled its new hotel residence brand Capri by Fraser yesterday.

The new brand aims to bridge the gap between hotels and serviced residences, and is targeted to meet "the short term accommodation needs of the 24x7 digital generation".

The hotel residence will offer a range of intelligent digital services, such as iPad activated check-ins, interactive e-concierge, AirPrint and Wi-Fi e-Print facilities, meeting rooms with interactive walls, and a Data Box to charge all digital devices.

Said CEO Choe Peng Sum: "Regional travel stays are becoming shorter . . . they are also become more frequent, with professionals working longer, irregular hours across different time zones . . . Capri by Fraser is focused on enhancing the work-life balance of our guests . . . according to their individual lifestyle needs."

The company currently has four properties in Singapore, located at Buona Vista, Clarke Quay, Orchard and River Valley respectively.

All Capri by Fraser properties will hold hotel licences.

The flagship property at Changi City in Singapore is set to be launched in the third quarter of this year, with a total of 313 units and occupying a total gross floor area of 202,252 sq ft.

Work will begin on two other properties under the brand, with a 126-unit project in Ho Chi Minh City starting December this year, and a 240-unit project breaking ground in Kuala Lumpur in the third quarter next year.

This is part of "plans to roll out the brand aggressively across Asia", according to a statement by the company.

Frasers' current portfolio, including those in the pipeline, comprises 73 properties in 39 cities, with more than 12,200 apartments globally.

This article was first published in The Business Times.