Choo, A Billionaire, Unveils The World’s Largest Mercure Hotel In Singapore

The Mercure ICON, located in Singapore’s financial district, is the largest Mercure hotel in the world. It is part of Worldwide Hotels, a company founded by Singaporean billionaire Choo Chong Ngen. The hotel is situated on Club Street in the central business district and boasts 989 rooms, making it a significant addition to the group’s portfolio.
Choo’s daughter, Carolyn, who serves as the CEO and managing director of Worldwide Hotels, described the Mercure ICON as the new flagship hotel for the group. She highlighted the rich cultural surroundings of the hotel, with numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars in close proximity, providing guests with an authentic Singaporean experience.
Managed by Mercure, which is part of the French hospitality group Accor, the Mercure ICON is one of three hotels that Worldwide Hotels has opened in Singapore in the past six months. The total investment in these three properties amounts to S$1.6 billion, solidifying the company’s presence in the city-state’s competitive hotel market.
With these recent developments, Worldwide Hotels now operates more than 8,600 rooms in Singapore, making it one of the largest hotel groups in the country. Alongside other major players like Accor and Far East Organization, the company has established a strong foothold in the hospitality industry. In addition to Mercure, the group owns several other brands such as Hotel 81, Hotel Boss, and Value Hotel.
Since expanding overseas in 2017, Worldwide Hotels has acquired 11 additional hotels in various countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. These properties are managed by well-known brands like Holiday Inn, Travelodge, and Ibis, demonstrating the company’s global reach and ambition.
Choo Chong Ngen, the founder of Worldwide Hotels, has come a long way from his humble beginnings as a fishmonger and textile trader. With an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion, he is now the 17th wealthiest person in Singapore, according to Forbes Asia. His success story, which began with the budget chain Hotel 81 in Singapore’s red-light district, serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry.