GEORGETOWN, April 16 –  Ten new hotels, which are currently under construction, are set to open for business by the end of the year on Penang island which continues to draw local and international tourists. Among the chain hotels and stand-alone hotels are the St Giles Wembley and Cititel Express located near the Komtar building in George Town offering some 750 rooms combined.

Next is the Jazz Hotel in Tanjung Tokong with 200-odd rooms and the Rice Miller City Hotel & Residences in the George Town banking district along Beach Street offering 46 hotel suites and 99 residential suites. Another hotel under the  Angsana Group  is expected to open in Teluk Bahang followed by the Light Hotel by IJM Group (Jelutong expressway), OZO Hotel along Argyll Road, Olive Hotel (near Spice in Bayan Baru), Neo Hotel and  Hilton’s Double Tree.

Also in the pipeline is another 5-star hotel by Starwood Group along Gurney Drive. The newest hotel which opened its doors to guests just before the Chinese New Year celebrations was the G Hotel Kelawai which offers 208 rooms ranging from deluxe, executive, executive premier and executive premier suites. The 24-storey hotel is the sister property of the G Hotel on Gurney Drive. Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter) Khoo Boo Lin says the opening of the new hotels augurs well for Penang’s hospitality industry.

“The opening of these new hotels augurs well for the hospitality industry in Penang as the standards and service for guests will also be enhanced,” said Khoo Boo Lim, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter). Khoo, who is also the general manager of the Lone Pine Hotel in Batu Ferringhi, expressed confidence that the new hotels would be able to attract a fair share of tourists and visitors to Penang. As for the guest rooms at the G Kelawai, they are expected to set a benchmark for luxury and comfort among hotels on the island. “The rooms aim to personify an opulence that is bespoke from its clean architecture, to its interior design and even the thread count in the sheets,” said director of communications, Christina Tan.

She added that for the first time, G Hotel is proud to introduce the Serta Bed, the world’s best mattress, providing superior support for the best sleep experience ever. In addition, guests will also be able to sit in comfort in the Herman Miller work chair. “Among others, there will also be Appelles products for your showering comfort, 55-inch Smart LED TV, infinity swimming pool and many other new services and products to complement your stay,” said Tan. Others facilities include the fully equipped gym, business centre and the roof-top infinity pool on the 24th floor which gives guests a chance to soak in Penang’s scenic skyline while having a dip.

Penang tourism development and culture exco Danny Law Heng Kiang agreed that the opening of new hotels is good for the state’s tourism industry. “During the school holidays and Chinese New Year celebrations, we see a shortage of hotel rooms in Penang.  As such new hotels can help alleviate the shortage for accommodation. “We also urge tourists to stay in hotels in mainland Penang as there are hotels like the Exora Hotel, Sunway Seberang Jaya and The Light Hotel,” he said, adding that those who are having event in the Spice convention hall in Bayan Lepas could easily travel from the mainland to the island for their meetings or conventions.

Pocket News

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