Hilton Worldwide has announced that it will open Malaysia’s first DoubleTree Resort in Penang next year.
Notably, the company inked a management agreement with Pinnacle Nexus Sdn Bhd, which is a member of Cornerstone Partners, to open DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang within the tourist belt of Batu Feringghi.
“Penang’s rich heritage and strong cultural presence has also earned it the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the listing, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) estimates that hotel occupancy rates within the city have increased from four to five percent annually. I am confident that DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang will certainly contribute further towards this growth rate,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Set to be completed by end-2015, the 318-room hotel will feature function rooms, meeting spaces, spa, water-park, kid’s zone and a sand lounge with an artificial beach.
One of the hotel’s primary attractions will be the introduction of the country’s first teddy bear themed museum and gallery, known as TeddyVille.
Located within the hotel itself, the museum is expected to become a new landmark for Penang.
Commenting about the project, Cornerstone Partners CEO Jason Chong said: “Given all that Penang has going for it, not least being its international appeal, we truly believe that there could not be a better place for the next DoubleTree Resort by Hilton than right here in Penang.”
Meanwhile, Guy Phillips, Vice President of Development, Asia, Hilton Worldwide said: “We are very pleased to be working with a well-respected partner such as Cornerstone Partners to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to Penang.”
“The signing of this agreement underscores our commitment to developing Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of brands in Malaysia. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang will be a tremendous addition to the brand’s rapidly-expanding global portfolio across six continents and at the same time, bolster the country’s tourism agenda to attract more travellers to destination Malaysia.”
Farah Wahida, Editor of PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email farahwahida@propertyguru.com.my
