Okay, so 2026 may sound like some ways away, but how many of us (especially since the pandemic hit) always lament on how the years have just been flying by? A sign that the travel industry will turn around for the better, Marriott International has partnered with Rackson Hospitality Sdn Bhd to introduce the Le Méridien hotel brand to Penang, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’.
Construction on the hotel is set to begin in mid-2022 and be completed by the end of 2026. We like to see this announcement as a surety that that we can expect international travel to pick up, since the new Le Méridien Penang Airport will be a 200-room hotel situated near Penang International Airport.
The new hotel, that will boast a design bent, will be part of a mixed-use complex that includes a standalone residential tower, a medical facility, as well as commercial and retail space.
Why Penang
A cultural hotbed and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Penang is well-known for its pristine white sand beaches and world-class art, architecture, and cuisine. The Le Méridien Penang Airport, which will be located on the main Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah road, will have a sky bridge connecting guests to the nearby shopping centre. The new hotel will also provide guests with easy access to the industrial areas of Bayan Lepas and George Town, which are only 15 and 25 minutes away respectively.
Mr. Kelvin Lor, CEO for Rackson Group said they are honoured to be affiliated with such a prominent brand. “The innovative design components on the hotel’s façade will make it stand out. It will be almost impossible for business clientele and holidaymakers, both local and international, to miss this landmark upon touching down at the airport. Upon completion of Penang Gateway, I believe it has the potential to become an accessible iconic landmark in the heart of Bayan Lepas that will raise the economic and architectural standards of the city.”
The property
The distinctive ageless sophisticated Mid-Century style of Le Méridien Penang Airport was created by SA Architects Malaysia and is inspired by the brand’s beginnings in the glamorous golden days of travel. The hotel will have the brand’s characteristic Le Méridien Hub, a modern take on the conventional hotel lobby where guests can meet, chat, and just enjoy the moment.
The hotel is expected to have 186 thoughtfully designed bedrooms and 14 suites, including a Presidential Suite with a floor area of 2000 square feet. There will also be an eclectic mix of dining options, including an all-day dining restaurant with a modern European and Asian buffet, a specialised restaurant, a café with fresh baked goods, and the brand’s iconic Latitude Bar. A Club Lounge, health facilities, a pool area with a sundeck, and 7,000 square feet of comfortable meeting and event rooms are also planned.
