As the resort celebrates its first anniversary, she also received news that she was selected as one of the winners of the “Hotel General Managers” category at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026.

More importantly, Keh is the only general manager from Penang to be recognised in this year’s awards. 

Other winners in the category are Volker Wurth (W Kuala Lumpur), Marc Groh (The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat), Rudi Oretti (Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur) and Justin Lee (EQ Kuala Lumpur).

A hospitality veteran with more than two decades of industry experience, Keh has built a reputation for leading successful hotel openings and operations. She has also served in China in several cities like Dalian, Beijing and Shanghai senior sales positions before returning to Malaysia.

She previously spearheaded the launch of Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang, Langkawi in 2022, where she assembled the pre-opening management team and oversaw the property’s debut as the island’s first Mercure-branded hotel before taking on the helm at M Social Resort Penang.

Under her leadership, M Social Resort Penang has quickly established itself as one of the state’s leading lifestyle hospitality destinations, making both the resort’s first anniversary and her regional recognition a fitting double celebration.

The award is more deserving for Keh as it was not the usual “paid” hospitality industry award.