ASCOTT’S first HARRIS-branded hotel in Penang is slated for opening in the third or fourth quarter of next year.
The construction progress of the HARRIS Sunshine Penang is now at 86%.
According to Crimson Omega Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Cynthia Hwang, the 289-room HARRIS Sunshine Penang would be located in Sunshine Central – a mixed development area in Bandar Baru Air Itam.
“The composition of the Sunshine Central mega project includes a retail mall, office tower, hotel, service apartment and edutainment.
“We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Ascott International Management (M) Sdn Bhd to manage our hotel. This will be the first HARRIS hotel in Penang.
“We are expecting a high influx of local and foreign tourists into Bandar Baru Air Itam, an immediate driver to propel our local economic development.
“We are very optimistic that the well-being of the Bandar Baru Air Itam community, and the surrounding neighbourhood will prosper from this development,” she said in her speech before taking part in the signing ceremony at Suntech@Penang Cybercity in Bayan Baru today.
Cynthia said, together with its business partner Ascott International Management (M) Sdn Bhd, the company was confident in transforming and strengthening the entire local economic ecosystem.
The Ascott Limited business development head and lodging private equity funds managing director Mak Hoe Kit thanked Crimson Omega for entrusting Ascott with the management contract to bring the first HARRIS-branded hotel to Penang.
“Ascott is proud to be part of the Sunshine Central prestigious development. Ascott’s strong international branding and award-winning hospitality will enhance the vibrancy of the Sunshine Central project.
“Ascott pioneered the serviced residence concept about 40 years ago, with the launch of Asia Pacific’s first international-class serviced residence in Singapore.
“Since then, we have grown to become the world’s largest international owner and operator of serviced residences.
“The new HARRIS Sunshine Penang serves as a testament to Ascott growing as a multi-faceted lodging operator with international hotel brands such as HARRIS, Préférence, Vertu, Citadines Connect, FOX, Yello, and POP!.
“Today, we have over 153,000 units across 900 properties in 200 cities and 40 counties across the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the United States,” Mak said.
Mak said HARRIS Sunshine Penang is strategically located, with its proximity to tourist attractions such as the Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill.
“HARRIS Sunshine Penang will feature studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units to cater to different traveller lifestyles and profiles. HARRIS’ concept is to provide a fresh, vibrant and fun environment, with an emphasis on the well-being of on-the-go travellers.
“With 33,500sq ft of ballroom space, HARRIS Sunshine Penang is set to be one of the largest MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) hotels in Penang.
“HARRIS Sunshine Penang will offer guests unparalleled convenience and a complete lifestyle experience, with facilities including a swimming pool, gymnasium, business lounge, banquet hall, function rooms, and an all-day dining restaurant within the property.
“Furthermore, the guests can enjoy convenient access to various dining, retail and lifestyle facilities at Sunshine Central, which will be developed as a self-contained live, shop, work and play location,” he said.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin congratulated Crimson Omega and Ascott International Management for achieving a major milestone together through collaboration.
“I am hopeful that all tourism industry players are playing their roles and supporting the state’s effort to revitalise the tourism industry.
“I believe that the opening of a new hotel under a well-known international brand will be another reason for travellers to stay longer and enjoy the state’s hospitality,” he said.
Yeoh said that in countries worldwide, many have slowly but consistently, opened up borders and eased restrictions.
“It is time that we share our vision of a perfect hotel experience and take action to achieve it.
“The industry must adapt and cannot afford to get stuck in the pre-pandemic era.
“Online reviews have never been more important in the travellers’ decision-making process.
“Eighty-two per cent of travellers will not book their stay at a place without having first consulted online reviews.
“We must never waver from our mission to deliver great hospitality in Penang.
“If we collectively focus on making every guest feel like the only guest, we will have many more great years to come,” Yeoh said.
Also present were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Indonesia consul-general in Penang Bambang Suharto, Suiwah Corporation Berhad chairman Datuk Radzali Hassan, Suiwah Corporation Berhad managing director Datuk Hwang Thean Long and Ascott’s country general manager (Malaysia) Mondi Mecja.
Story and pix by Christopher Tan