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ELEVATING A LOCAL GEM TO A GLOBAL HOSPITALITY STAGE
Imagine escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, finding yourself in a lush, picturesque resort, so tranquil that the only sounds you can hear are the gentle chirping of birds. This serene retreat, The Haven Resort (The Haven), is the realisation of Peter Chan ’s vision. As the CEO of The Haven Group, Peter is renowned for his unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity. As a visionary developer, shortcuts are not in his vocabulary as his relentless pursuit of excellence touches every facet of his work, from the meticulous architectural design and handpicked material selection to overseeing construction and curating the ultimate guest experience.
By Jeannie Cotter and Ariel Tan
A view that you can never get tired of
It was this unswerving commitment that transformed a sleepy Malaysian town into an international hotspot when Peter’s iconic development, The Haven, opened in Ipoh in 2013. Three striking 26-story towers seamlessly integrate with the surrounding limestone hills and lush rainforest, offering a new breed of eco-luxury that has garnered global acclaim.
At that time, the construction of The Haven was hailed as ‘the pride of Ipoh.’ This RM350 million luxury resort hotel and apartment project, with a total of 516 units, was not only the tallest building in Perak at the time but also one of the most environmentally friendly.
You know, when we started this project, people thought I was crazy,” Peter chuckles as he gestures towards the towering karst formation that anchors the resort grounds.
They said, “Peter, you can’t build around that!”. But I had a vision that went just beyond just creating a fancy hotel. I wanted to craft an experience that enriched people’s lives while treading lightly on the earth.”
BLENDING NATURE AND OPULENCE
This ethos of marrying indulgence with environmental stewardship is the thread that runs through every one of Peter’s boundary-pushing
developments. From renewable energy systems to water conservation initiatives, The Haven raised the bar for five-star sustainability. “It’s about redefining what true luxury means,” Peter explains, his eyes alight with conviction. “We’re not just selling lavish accommodations—we’re offering an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a way that honours its majesty, not exploits it.”
The Haven’s seamless integration with its surroundings is a masterstroke of thoughtful design and construction. The resort’s architects revised their plans a staggering 45 times at Peter’s behest to ensure every facet melded organically with the terrain and preserved existing rock formations.
“The plans weren’t set in stone—and they shouldn’t be when you’re trying to create something this ambitious,” Peter states matter-of-factly. “To me, sustainable luxury is about flexibility, about being willing to constantly adapt and refine until you achieve that perfect symbiosis between man-made and natural.”
UNCOMPROMISING STANDARDS, UNCOMPROMISING RESULTS
Born and raised in Singapore, Peter left the country in 1979 to begin his career. As a true global nomad, he has over twenty years of overseas work experience across New York, London, Hong Kong, China and Australia. His outstanding educational background, unique life philosophy and innate business acumen have enabled him to accumulate extensive experience in various fields and achieve remarkable success in the development projects he has undertaken. Peter came to Malaysia in 2000 as a CEO of a local company. Two years later, he decided to take off on his own and by 2003, he was invited to Ipoh to develop his first local project, a residential area.
Perfectionism and integrity were always in his nature and as a developer, he understood that one of the biggest concerns for homebuyers is dealing with irresponsible developers. So, his personal ethos was simple, applying the same principles to all the development projects he is involved in:
This prehistoric site, with its ancient outcrop, dates back over 200 million years to the Palaeozoic era
How I want others to live, is how I live myself.
For example, in The Haven project, he found that the originally designed balconies were not very practical, while the living rooms were used more frequently. So, he reduced the balcony area and expanded the living room space to make the living environment more spacious and comfortable.
In terms of bathroom design, he also started from his personal experience, realising that a cramped space would make people feel confined and uncomfortable. He made the decision without hesitation: “Let’s enlarge the bathrooms!”
This kind of consideration, incorporating personal experience into project design, reflects Peter’s persistent pursuit of quality in real estate. For him, development is not just about building houses but, more importantly, creating comfortable and humane living spaces for residents.
In the eyes of The Haven employees, Peter is also a meticulous and earnest leader who not only de-
mands high standards from his employees but also from himself. All outgoing documents, if not yet sent, will be repeatedly reviewed and revised by him, and even a line or a word cannot deviate in the slightest.
A CULINARY PHILOSOPHY ROOTED IN QUALITY AND AUTHENTICITY
The Haven’s culinary offerings epitomise Peter’s exacting standards and commitment to quality. The re-
sort’s chefs selectively source only the finest ingredients, like Australian beef, New Zealand lamb, locally sourced ‘kampung’ eggs and five fragrant spices chicken. Dory fish is strictly avoided in favour of premium seafood like grouper. The chefs meticulously prepare flavourful stocks from scratch, allowing the natural flavours to shine. However, dishes are purposefully understated to cater to modern preferences for simple, clean tastes that let the innate qualities of the ingredients take centre stage.
This culinary philosophy of showcasing premium ingredients with minimal embellishment has earned The Haven’s restaurant a devoted following. With a team of around 10 chefs, including an expatriate pastry chef, the resort’s eateries offer a refined yet authentic taste of Malaysia. Whether for relaxed weekend buffets or festive oc-
Natural air flow comes with the vast space of the development
TUI BLUE concierge
casions like Chinese New Year and Ramadan, The Haven’s café prioritises quality over all else.
ATTRACTING A GLOBAL HOSPITALITY PLAYER
Peter’s dedication to the hospitality industry shines brightly as The Haven inked a strategic collaboration with international hospitality product, TUI BLUE, in September 2024. The partnership marks a significant milestone in Peter’s journey of redefining luxury hospitality as it casts a spotlight on Malaysia – The Haven is TUI BLUE’s first venture into Malaysia and Singapore, apart from its presence in over 90 hotels worldwide.
The Haven won the heart of TUI BLUE based on its reputation for delivering exceptional guest experiences, sustainability practices, award-winning hospitality and unique location – all qualities echoing global tourism standards, making a great fit for TUI BLUE.
The collaboration is expected to elevate Perak’s tourism, as TUI BLUE brings its expertise in creating tailored guest experiences and implementing its internationally recognised standards. Additionally, TUI BLUE also brings its global network, robust marketing capabilities, and established reputation to further position The Haven as a leading regional destination.
Together, both The Haven Group and TUI BLUE aim to elevate the resort’s global profile, set new standards in luxury hospitality and deliver exceptional service
tailored to meet today’s discerning travellers. Through this collaboration, guests can expect refreshed accommodations, enhanced amenities and uniquely curated experiences.
A LASTING LEGACY
In an industry often fuelled by excessive luxury and shortsighted economics, Peter is a breath of fresh air—a fiercely passionate trailblazer who refuses to accept the status quo. Whether you view him as an uncompromising visionary or an unyielding perfectionist, one thing is certain: his impact will be felt for generations as he ushers in a new era of sustainable indulgence.
into something extraordinary,” he enthuses, leaning forward with unbridled excitement. “We’re going to respect and preserve that beauty while integrating the latest eco-friendly technologies. It’ll be a game-changing model for sustainable luxury on a massive scale.”
And if Peter has his way, the world will never look at luxury the same way again. It will not just be an opulent accommodation or hyper-amenitised playground for the ultra-wealthy. Under his visionary leadership, the true hallmarks of luxury will be a reverence for the natural world, a commitment to tread lightly upon it while elevating the human experience.
For his next act, Peter is preparing what he calls his magnum opus—a US$1.4 billion sustainable paradise called The Haven Lagoi Bay that will sprawl across 60 lush acres on Indonesia’s Bintan Island. “Pristine beaches, crystal waters, lush jungle as far as the eye can see—it’s a natural wonderland just waiting to be transformed
As he expounds on the details, decades of highs and lows have shaped Peter’s unwavering philosophy. This is not just a real estate mogul pontificating—it is a pragmatic and seasoned businessperson whose respect for the environment has been honed by years of grappling with the challenges of responsible development.
You know, people are always asking when I’m going to retire,” he says, letting out a raspy chuckle. “But how can I when there’s still so much more beauty to create in this world? It’s not about chasing accolades—it’s about leaving a legacy we can be proud of.