A Vision Born from Heritage and Ambition
Every great leader begins with a vision rooted in purpose. For Yu-Wei Liew, that vision was born in the heart of Ipoh, where his family’s business legacy began with the iconic Pagoda brand in 1945. Building upon that entrepreneurial spirit, Yu-Wei charted a new course for the family transforming tradition into modern innovation. In 2010, he co-founded WEIL Resources Sdn. Bhd. to pioneer a new chapter in hospitality, guided by his belief that genuine luxury lies in sincerity, culture, and connection.
Armed with a Master’s in Hospitality Administration from École Hôtelière de Lausanne and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Imperial College London, Yu-Wei fused technical acumen with emotional intelligence. This rare combination became the foundation of WEIL Hotel, a five-star urban retreat designed to embody “everyday extraordinary.” Under his direction, the hotel became the crown jewel of Ipoh, celebrated for its architecture, service innovation, and sustainability ethos.
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Redefining Hospitality through Purpose and Design
At WEIL Hotel, hospitality is not just service, it is storytelling. Yu-Wei believes that every guest experience should inspire, enliven, and enrich. From introducing Ipoh’s first hotel-based coworking space to launching the concept floor celebrating local artistry, he has positioned WEIL as a destination where business, creativity, and culture intersect.
His leadership emphasizes authenticity and emotional connection, crafting experiences that resonate with both guests and the community. Yu-Wei’s dedication to responsible tourism has made WEIL a pioneer in green hospitality. The hotel’s waste composting initiatives, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable sourcing programs have set new industry benchmarks. As a result, WEIL has earned accolades including Best City Hotel (Perak Tourism Awards 2024), Top Luxury 5-Star Hotel (ASEAN Chinese Book of Records), and ILAM Malaysia Landscape Architecture Award for Sustainable Design.
Beyond the brand’s success, Yu-Wei’s vision extends to people empowering teams through mentorship, inclusivity, and career growth. His philosophy “Everyday Can Be Extraordinary” inspires staff to find purpose in excellence, cultivating a workplace where integrity and innovation thrive.
Building a Legacy of Sustainable Leadership
More than a hotelier, Yu-Wei Liew is an architect of ecosystems. His leadership seamlessly weaves Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into every layer of WEIL Hotel’s operations — from thoughtful architectural design to meaningful community engagement.
In 2025, he introduced WEIL Horizon, a digital loyalty platform designed to personalise guest experiences while promoting conscious consumption. In the same year, under his visionary leadership, WEIL Hotel became the first hotel in Malaysia to be certified under the ESG Certification for Hotels & Resorts — a programme introduced by the Malaysian Association of Hotels in partnership with SGS Malaysia and Sai Matrix Integrated, and officially approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
This certification, aligned with Malaysia’s National Tourism Policy 2020–2030, marks a significant milestone towards a more sustainable hospitality industry. It requires hotels to undergo comprehensive training, pre-assessment, and the development of a viable sustainability action plan — affirming WEIL Hotel’s role as a national model for responsible tourism and sustainable growth.
As he looks to the future, Yu-Wei envisions expanding WEIL beyond Ipoh, bringing its signature of authentic, sustainable luxury to new destinations across Asia. His approach demonstrates that leadership in the modern era demands not only strategic brilliance but also empathy and accountability.
In every sense, Yu-Wei Liew is more than a young leader, he is a changemaker redefining what it means to serve, inspire, and innovate in a rapidly evolving world. His journey reflects the essence of Asia’s new generation of leadership: visionary, grounded, and dedicated to creating impact that lasts.
