The First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, the only casino resort in Malaysia, has regained the Guinness World Records title of Largest Hotel in the world, a title previously held by the Venetian Hotel Resort and Casino and The Palazzo in Las Vegas.

The Resorts World Genting property’s status which is determined by the number of rooms was confirmed by Guinness World Records, according to Genting.

When the Palazzo, an expansion of The Venetian in Las Vegas, opened in 2008 it knocked the then 6,118 room First World Hotel out of the top spot until the three-star Resorts World Genting hotel’s revamping which brought the total to 7,351. The new US$72 million hotel block addition, the Tower 2 Annex, began opening in phases this year.

Edward Holloway, senior vice president of hotel operations for Resorts World Genting said that Malaysia’s tourism industry would be enhanced further by the recognition which is a symbol of innovation excellence for the Southeast Asia hill resort. Holloway added, “We are very pleased to once again receive this recognition. The hotel has received over 35.5 million guests over the nine years since its first record in 2006,” and “The endorsement by the world’s authority on this record-breaking achievement is icing on the cake, and more. It spells further excitement for the iconic hill resort even as it helps strengthen Malaysia on the international map for excellence in tourism and hospitality.”

Genting Malaysia Bhd, which operates Resorts World Genting, is also expanding the property by adding more food and beverage outlets, shops and accommodations. In addition the conglomerate that invests in casinos globally will complete a theme park next year called Twentieth Century Fox World which is movie industry-based.