JOHOR BARU — Taking a vacation across the Causeway? You might want to consider booking a room at Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, especially if you are a fan of a particular cartoon feline.

The hotel launched 12 new Hello Kitty-themed rooms last Thursday as part of a partnership with Japanese company Sanrio.Located in Johor Baru, the establishment, previously known as Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour when it opened in 2013, is the first in South-east Asia to feature Hello Kitty-themed rooms.

Besides a marina for waterfront living and leisure activities, Puteri Harbour also has all the things Hello Kitty fans would love — there is the family theme park, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town; the Hello Kitty Red Bow Cafe; and a Hello Kitty merchandise store, all of which opened in 2012.

Philip Whittaker, chief commercial officer, Group Sales & Marketing at Themed Attractions & Hotels, which manages attractions and hotels such as Legoland Malaysia Resort, KidZania Kuala Lumpur and KidZania Singapore, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and Puteri Harbour, said the themed rooms provide a holistic experience for those who have come to enjoy the charms of Hello Kitty.

“It means that families or couples can come here and experience the attractions, the F&B, and the hotel. It could be a weekend stay or a short break to complete the Hello Kitty experience,” Whittaker explained. “We are not just a destination for F&B, retail and attractions, but we are actually an attraction for Hello Kitty.”

The 12 rooms are grouped according to three themes: Sailor Hello Kitty, which features blue nautical details; the Pink Series, which splashes the room in shades ranging from hot pink to pastel tones; and Hello Kitty in Oz, which is inspired by children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and features characters such as the Lion and the Scarecrow.

Available in both deluxe and premier rooms, rates will start from RM800++ (S$256.92) per room per night.

Each room is completely decked out in Hello Kitty-related decor, from the wallpaper to the TV frame to the mirror. Even amenities such as towels and tissue boxes are adorned with Hello Kitty prints. Guests will also receive a welcome bag with items such as a stationery set, laundry bag and bedroom slippers, all affixed with a Hello Kitty logo. Premier rooms — only designed with the Hello Kitty in Oz theme — will be equipped with themed bunk beds in a separate room adjoining a master bedroom.

Besides the close attention paid to the rooms’ elaborate detailing, Whittaker said the hotel’s proximity to various facilities and attractions is also part of its appeal. “We are close to JB (Johor Baru), close to the airport, and we’re 10 minutes from Legoland Malaysia Resort,” Whittaker said.

“For us, it’s about selling a wider destination of Puteri Harbour ... (the themed rooms) will help to encourage people, families and couples to have a longer stay here at Puteri Harbour,” he said.

Asked what he thinks the response to the rooms will be, Whittaker said the hotel is “very confident (and) optimistic these rooms will do very well”.

He continued, “The great thing about Hello Kitty (is that) it’s not just a family market, it’s also a couples market. You’re getting a very wide demographic: you’ve got everyone from young girls and some boys, right through to all the girls that basically really enjoy the Hello Kitty brand.”

Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is located at Persiaran Puteri Selatan, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia. Visit www.hoteljen.com/johor/puteriharbour for more information.