ASCOTT has signed an agreement with property developer Rudy Indopratama Sejahtera to manage Citadines Bali Kuta, marking its entry into Bali.

The 174-unit service residence is targeted to open in April 2012. Facilities include small meeting rooms, a restaurant, a gymnasium and a spa.

Ascott managing director South-east Asia & Australia Alfred Ong, said: "Bali is a world famous resort destination and an increasingly attractive MICE destination...While the majority of our guests are business travellers and expatriates on extended stay, we are seeing an increasing number of leisure travellers at our service residences."

He said operating a condotel in Bali was not meant to create a new market but to cater to Ascott's existing corporate travel market.

In Indonesia, Ascott operates five properties in Jakarta and Surabaya under the Ascott, Somerset and Citadines brands.

Apart from the Citadines Bali Kuta, three other Citadines are under construction in Jakarta and are scheduled to open between this year and 2012.