KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has been ranked the Best Workplace in Malaysia™ 2026 by Great Place to Work® for the first time, earning the top position in the large-sized business category.
This latest recognition builds on Hilton’s standing as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace and the top hospitality workplace in South East Asia, alongside market-level honors including No. 1 rankings in Vietnam and Thailand. Together, these accolades underscore the strength and consistency of Hilton’s people-first culture, from global scale to local impact, reinforcing its position as one of the most trusted employers.
Malaysia’s tourism sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, with the country ranking as the most-visited destination in South East Asia in 2025. As Malaysia’s appeal as a tourist hotspot continues to rise, so does the demand for local talent in the hospitality sector. This recognition strengthens Hilton’s reputation as a people-focused employer committed to cultivating a strong talent pipeline and fostering a growth-driven culture where team members can thrive.
This strong market performance is reflected in Hilton’s growth plans. The company will open five new properties across Malaysia this year, with three properties – Hilton Shah Alam Glenmarie, Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort, which will debut Hilton’s flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in Langkawi, as well as Hilton Garden Inn Kota Kinabalu Tuaran in Sabah, launching in the first quarter of this year. Hilton will also debut two new brands in Malaysia later this year through the highly anticipated openings of Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur and Conrad Kuala Lumpur, further elevating the country’s luxury hospitality landscape.
Fostering a Culture of Continuous Growth
Hilton’s commitment to fostering a people-first workplace shines through Nor Najihah Binti Che Kob’s journey with the company. Drawn to the hospitality industry’s long-term growth and learning prospects, Najihah joined the pre-opening team at DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City in 2022 as a Housekeeping Coordinator, despite her previous background in construction management.
Transition from a different background into hospitality was not easy, but Najihah persevered and showed her resilience. Determined to keep growing, she chose to move into the Front Office the next year for her next career step. The shift from working back-of-house to engaging directly with guests came with challenges, but she adapted well, demonstrating strong guest experience delivery, a positive and proactive attitude, and the confidence to handle guest concerns with professionalism and empathy.
With the guidance and support of her leaders and teammates, she advanced to Front Desk Team Leader in 2024, followed by Duty Manager in 2025. Najihah’s journey reflects Hilton’s culture of internal mobility and development, where team members are empowered and given meaningful opportunities to learn and advance in their careers.
“When I decided to pursue a career in hospitality, I understood I was stepping into an entirely new environment. Moving from housekeeping to the front desk pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and helped me build greater confidence in my leadership and communication skills,” said Najihah. “I’m truly thankful for the leaders and team members at DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City who guided and supported me throughout this journey, and it inspires me to create the same inclusive environment for others.”
Najihah’s story exemplifies the impact of supporting our team members, empowering them to grow and succeed. Every team member brings passion, integrity and a true spirit of hospitality to work daily, embodying the strong culture we have built together. As Hilton continues to expand in Malaysia, we will continue to foster an environment where our people are not only supported but uplifted to thrive, lead, and forge meaningful, long-term careers.
Alexandra Murray, area vice president and regional head of South East Asia, Hilton
To support team members in thriving both personally and professionally, Hilton offers a range of global and regional programs that promote well-being, career development, and inclusion. These include Thrive at Hilton, a holistic framework for physical, mental, and financial wellness; Lead@Hilton, a global learning platform for leadership development; Care for All, an industry-leading caregiving support initiative; Careers@Hilton, which raises awareness of hospitality career opportunities for young people; and Go Hilton, the company’s popular travel program that allows team members across all roles and regions to explore the world and recharge.
To determine the Best Workplaces In Malaysia™ 2025 list, Great Place To Work® analyzed confidential feedback from employees across different industries in Malaysia through the Culture Audit© questionnaire and the Trust Index© survey.
For more information about job openings in Malaysia, visit jobs.hilton.com.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 7,600 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 190 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.