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Pride of Ipoh, Envy of the Nation | Feature Article | The Haven
A story of overcoming great challenges, achieving excellence, and instilling a super future for luxury tourism for Perak.
Ipoh is no longer just a stopover city—it is now a rising force in global tourism. In 2023, Perak recorded 17.1 million domestic visitors, making it Malaysia’s fourth most-visited state (The Straits Times, August 2024). By 2025, Ipoh will rank among Asia’s top five destinations, even surpassing Osaka, Japan, as a sought-after travel hub.
A key player in this transformation is The Haven, a luxury family eco-resort and residences spanning 15.3 acres, uniquely designed around a breathtaking scenic hillside encompassing a 280-million-year-old limestone formation. The Haven consists of three 26-storey towers, offering 516 luxury residences and resort hotel suites. Over the past decade, it has evolved from an unknown habitat to a global landmark attraction, drawing over 150,000 visitors from over 120 countries and earning prestigious international accolades, a rarity for Ipoh. President Jose E. Prieto in presenting the Quality & Innovation (Gold) - International Arch of Europe Award to The Haven relayed this insight at the presentation at Frankfurt:
Ipad, Iphone……….. Steve Jobs.Icon, Ipoh………...... Peter’s Job.
Peter Chan, the visionary behind this achievement, saw potential and dared where others didn’t and failed to tread. His relentless pursuit of excellence turned a neglected plot of land into an award-winning eco-luxury destination. With the meticulous shaping of his staff, he has recently succeeded in attracting a landmark collaboration with TUI BLUE—Europe’s largest leisure hotel brand. Ipoh is now poised for a great leap forward onto the world stage in the coming years.
What does this mean for Ipoh’s future? And how has one man’s vision put this city on the map?
Unknown to most, Peter Chan has been a selfless contributor to whoever is around him and whatever project he undertakes. This is a most rare trait, and understandably, many fail to recognize this. In his talk as a distinguished guest speaker at ProfitMAX Entrepreneurs Network (PEN) Business Conference on 19 February 2025 at TRX in Kuala Lumpur, he had divulged that a leader needs to be “SELFLESS” to produce outcomes that are “Meaningful, Effective and Lasting”; and to perform this out of “LOVE”! The acronym he introduced was “SMELL”, to summarize the key points of his talk on genuine contribution and true leadership. With that, he has exposed himself to be an enlightened person with an uncompromising commitment to excellence.
As his springboard from Malaysia, through Superboom Projects Sdn Bhd, he was instrumental in the completion of the development of Permai Lake View Apartments, consisting of 576 low-cost units in Tambun that has been widely recognized to be the best in the region, even surpassing the quality and value of HDB flats in Singapore. Following that, he had been the driving force in developing Subang Galaxy, known to be best and of best value in the Subang II area.
He returned to Ipoh in 2007 and overcoming great challenges, he almost single-handedly shaped The Haven into an internationally acclaimed eco-luxury resort. He held important positions in New York, London, Hong Kong, China and Australia before settling down on Malaysia, where he evolved a model world-class concept in hospitality and residential development.
His meticulous planning involved over 40 architectural revisions to ensure practicality of the design and the seamless blending of the development and facilities with the natural surroundings. Many skeptics initially doubted the feasibility of the project, but Chan proved that luxury and nature could coexist in perfect harmony.
“Excellence isn’t about quick wins—it’s about creating something truly lasting,” says Chan, whose unwavering dedication and perseverance has made The Haven a global benchmark for sustainable luxury.
From its three towering structures—the tallest in Perak—to its innovative sustainability initiatives, The Haven has set a new standard in eco-luxury hospitality. Its five-level infinity pool, natural lake, and panoramic limestone backdrop together with its impeccable security and service have made it one of Malaysia’s most visually stunning and attractive destinations for both locals and foreigners. Promotions had been held in Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Wenzhou, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore over 10 years to promote Ipoh and The Haven. These efforts are unparallelled by any organization in Ipoh.
The Haven actively boosts Ipoh's local economy, employing 120 dedicated staff, many of whom have served for over a decade. The loyalty and longevity of the resort’s staff are attributed to Chan’s intensive training which emphasizes on responsibility, purpose of life and pivotal focus on each person’s everlasting destiny. These regular briefings greatly assisted the hotel operations in enhancing guest experiences and satisfaction.
The Haven is thus one of the most highly rated resorts in Malaysia on Tripadvisor, consistently earning praise for its pristine setting, impeccable service, and overall comfort. It is the first rated 5-star hotel in Ipoh and has been for over a decade. Guests often describe it as an oasis of tranquillity, highlighting its world-class hospitality standards and attention to detail.
The Haven has established its name internationally, now known for responsible development, preservation of nature and premium hospitality for all generations, all races and religions and all nationalities. It has garnered 64 local, regional and international awards to date.
Mr. Chan’s contribution to Ipoh has also been most exemplary. Recognizing Ipoh as a most attractive city, he had actively promoted the city’s attraction in leisure and retirement residences, medical facilities, high standards of schools, nature and tourist attractions and food. He produced a foodbook titled “Eatpoh” recommending 150 eating establishments and had distributed it far and wide.
Much effort and expenses had also been put in to initiate Ipoh as a musical city. A Musical Extravaganza was organized with the Selangor Symphony Orchestra and several international artists for a performance on the stage on the lake, together with musicians positioned at the edge of the forest, around the lake and on the balconies of the individual suites spread around the 3 buildings to produce a spectacular “Sensurround” experience for the audience. This event was extraordinarily successful and has assisted Ipoh to be recognized as a city worthy of visit and as a musical city by UNESCO.
In September 2024, The Haven reached a significant milestone in attracting TUI BLUE to Ipoh as its first entry into Singapore and Malaysia.
This collaboration introduces world-class hospitality standards to Ipoh and signals greater confidence in Malaysia’s growing luxury tourism sector. With TUI BLUE’s vast global reach, The Haven is now positioned to attract an even wider audience of high-value international travellers.
Looking ahead, Chan remains committed to elevating The Haven and propelling Ipoh onto the global stage, bringing lasting benefits to Ipoh—boosting economic growth, generating jobs, whilst attracting discerning travellers. These businesses will generate taxes and have a multiplier effect across all industries. Ipoh will produce its “Ipohtunity”!
But his ambitions do not stop here.
The Haven Lagoi Bay—a USD 1.4 billion sustainable luxury project in Bintan, Indonesia ~ continues Chan’s vision of blending high-end hospitality with environmental responsibility.
“I don’t believe in shortcuts,” says Chan. “Excellence is about commitment, resilience, and creating something that stands the test of time.” As truthfulness and selflessness are his objectives in life, he is resolute that in time, the few who persistently mounted their irrational, diabolical attacks on him and his projects would completely fade away as the truth is exposed.
His innovation, dedication and commitment has now redefined luxury hospitality in Malaysia and beyond. And with The Haven’s continued expansion, Peter Chan’s influence on excellence and sustainable tourism and enhancement of the image of Malaysia would continue to benefit the State and the Nation immeasurably.
