The first Le Meridien brand hotel is coming up Penang at the Penang International Airport (PIA) vicinity.
The chic and trendy designed hotel will serve local and international travelers.
The Le Meridien brand is among the premier brands which is part of the stable of Marriott International group and will feature this 200-room facility.
A Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) signing ceremony between the parties involved was held at the Rackson House in Georgetown, Penang.
Present was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to witness the signing ceremony.
Also present was the Marriott International VP Asset Management, Yeoh Soo Hin along with Rackson House chairman Ng Lim Hon, chief executive officer Kelvin Lor.
The occasion also saw the signing of the exclusive marketing partner Zeon Properties represented by its CEO, Leon Lee.
“I am pleased to welcome another top-rated hotel to the Penang hospitality industry. The Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone is where over 300 multi-national companies operate. The electrical and electronics (E&E) here contribute 5% of the global electronics exports.
“The RM1.5 billion Penang Gateway will bring plenty of activities and opportunities. The hotel will offer an all-inclusive experience and convenience to business travelers and holiday seekers,” said Chow in his address.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Lor paid tribute to the impressive facade of the upcoming hotel and construction will start mid this year with completion expected in 2026.
“We hope to introduce the one of the kind 2000 sq ft presidential suite at the hotel and the hotel will be connected to the airport via a link bridge.
“The Le Meridien Penang Airport will become an iconic landmark in Penang,” added Lor.
Leon Lee in turn highlighted that unlike Singapore and Hong Kong, Penang does not have a hotel at its airport, the Le Meridien Penang Airport will serve this purpose.
“We have a 1,000 strong marketing team and are confident that this project will serve well,” he added.
Later, Yeoh added that Marriott International, the largest hotel management company in the world and in Malaysia, is very excited to enter into partnership with Rackson Group to bring one of our premium brands, Le Méridien, to Penang.
“This signing underscores Marriott International’s commitment to further growing its footprint across Malaysia which stands at 35 opened hotels and 17 brands, as at today.
“We take this opportunity to congratulate Rackson Group, Mr. Kelvin Lor and Mr. Ng Lim Hon for their vision to build the 200-room Le Méridien Penang Airport that is strategically located within the Penang Gateway development. The hotel’s location adjacent to Penang International Airport will ensure high visibility amongst travelers in and out of Penang.
“The distinctive Le Méridien Penang Airport building design will immediately be a new landmark in Penang. This is not the 1st time Marriott International has worked with SA Architects, and we are looking forward to continuing the relationship, to bring Le Méridien’s distinct timeless chic design to Penang.
“We are confident of the hotel’s success due to its location which is in close proximity to many notable local companies and MNCs, the loyalty of Marriott Bonvoy’s members today and the multi decade long term rise in travel among the newly minted global middle class, be it millennials seeking new culture adventure, or empty nesters seeking to reconnect with friends and family,” said Yeoh.
Also present was the Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam, Steven Sim and the State Assemblyman for Pulau Tikus, Chris Lee.
