ASCOTT’S NEXT-GENERATION SERVICED RESIDENCES EMBRACE INTERNET OF THINGS TECHNOLOGY TO OFFER GUESTS SMART LIVING EXPERIENCE

Aims to roll out smart home technologies to Ascott’s serviced residences across over 20 countries globally from 2016 onwards

(TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - April 15th, 2015 - Singapore, 15 April 2015 – CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is set to embrace the Internet of Things technology to design a next-generation serviced residence that will offer guests a seamless smart living experience. The technology will enable guests to control and manage devices within the serviced residence through a single application which connects personal and home devices — from refrigerators and washing machines to smart TVs, smartphones and even wearable devices — through an integrated platform and server.

To bring its vision of a next-generation serviced residence to life, Ascott has entered into an exclusive partnership with Samsung Asia Pte Ltd, a unit of Samsung Electronics (Samsung), to jointly develop Internet of Things-ready smart solutions customised for its serviced residences, making Ascott the first global serviced residence company to embrace smart home technologies. Ascott aims to test bed the new technologies at selected Ascott serviced residences by the first half of 2016, with plans to roll out to its properties across over 20 countries globally in phases.

In the new age Ascott serviced residence, guests will be able to use customised settings on their mobile devices or smart TV to control one or multiple devices simultaneously no matter where they are — turning on air conditioning or monitoring laundry cycle, for example — while inside or outside the serviced residence, or even while travelling abroad. By knowing when the day starts for the guests, the smart devices can even turn on the lights and heat up a coffee pot just in time. Guests can also use their smartphones to get real-time views of the serviced residence via in-built appliance cameras within an air conditioner or robot cleaner. In addition, Ascott’s housekeeping staff can be promptly notified when it is time to service appliances, keep the laundry or replace consumables.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “As a global leader in serviced residences, Ascott continuously seeks to innovate and test new ideas to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the industry. The Internet of Things technology is on the brink of quick adoption and it will come at a speed we can barely imagine. It will enable us to gain real-time insights to better understand the lifestyle and preferences of our guests and to anticipate their needs. Ascott aims to transform these complex data into useful information to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.”

Mr Lee added: “We are confident that Ascott’s strategic alliance with Samsung, one of the world's biggest electronics companies with extensive R&D experience in smart home technologies, will make this compelling vision of a next-generation serviced residence a reality. Some of these smart home technologies may also be adopted by the other business units within the CapitaLand Group.”

Mr Yong Sung Jeon, President & Chief Executive Officer, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia & Oceania, said: “Samsung is an industry leader in consumer electronics with expertise in all areas, from visual display, home appliances to smartphone technology. The strength of Samsung’s brand and market penetration of our products, combined with an open ecosystem strategy, opens up possibilities for Samsung to lead the Internet of Things space. We are pleased to be working with Ascott to bring to life smart living in the serviced residence industry and make life better and more comfortable for consumers.”

Ascott will work closely with Samsung to co-innovate and test customised hospitality solutions, with some initial development work done at Ascott’s Innovation Hub in Singapore before testing at its properties. Guests will get to try out the new smart technologies and appliances in specially designed Samsung Experience suites or residents’ lounges in selected Ascott properties for a trial period. In addition, Ascott will explore the application of automated technologies such as robotics at its serviced residences to enhance its employees’ productivity, so that they can focus on ensuring that guests have a memorable stay at its serviced residences.

The Ascott Limited is a Singapore company that has grown to be the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator. It has over 26,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region, as well as over 13,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 39,000 units in over 200 properties.

The company operates three award-winning brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset. Its portfolio spans 90 cities across 25 countries, 22 of which are new cities in Ascott's portfolio where its serviced residences are being developed.

Ascott, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. In 2006, it established the world's first Pan-Asian serviced residence real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust. Today, the company boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Ascott’s achievements have been recognised internationally. Recent awards include World Travel Awards 2014 for ‘Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ and ‘Leading Serviced Apartments’ in Belgium, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2014 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’ and ‘Best Serviced Residence’, Business Traveller UK Awards 2014 for ‘Best Serviced Apartment Company’, Business Traveller China Awards 2014 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’ and 'Best Serviced Residence', TTG China Travel Awards 2015 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Operator in China’ and DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2015 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’.

CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies headquartered and listed in Singapore. The company leverages its significant asset base, design and development capabilities, active capital management strategies, extensive market network and operational capabilities to develop high-quality real estate products and services. Its diversified global real estate portfolio includes integrated developments, shopping malls, serviced residences, offices and homes. Its two core markets are Singapore and China, while Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have been identified as new growth markets. The company also has one of the largest real estate fund management businesses with assets located in Asia.

CapitaLand’s listed real estate investment trusts are Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaCommercial Trust, CapitaMall Trust, CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust and CapitaRetail China Trust.

Issued by: The Ascott Limited Website: www.the-ascott.com