By V. Sivaji
The 1926 Heritage Hotel along Burmah Road here will get a second lease of life following the signing of an agreement with Penang Development Corporation (PDC), Jetblue Sdn Bhd and The Ascott Limited.
The hotel will be rebranded as the “1926 Heritage Hotel Penang by The Unlimited Collection”.
Present to witness the signing ceremony was the Chief Minister of Penang YAB Chow Kon Yeow who is also the chairman of PDC.
Representing The Ascott Limited was their managing director, Southeast Asia and Head of Strategic & Global Operations, Ms Wong Kar Ling while Datuk Koay Shao Sheong, director of Jetblue Sdn Bhd.
The event also saw the signing of the lease agreement between Jetblue Sdn Bhd and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) for 15 years with an option of another 15 years.
PDC was represented by its chief executive officer, Dato Aziz Bakar.
The Unlimited Collection is a boutique brand which focused on cultural charms to meet the travellers’ aspirations for authentic and immersive local cultural experiences.
Worldwide, they have their boutique hotel ranges in Vietnam, Ireland, India, United Kingdom, India and Singapore to name a few locations.
With the opening of this hotel, Penang will now have a total of 15 hotel brands under The Ascott Limited.
In his address, Chow said that the hotel will be a model for promoting culture and local cuisine for travellers and tourists.
“Penang’s vibrant tourism industry stands to benefit from the reopening of this boutique hotel.
“I wish to congratulate PDC and Jetbule Sdn Bhd on this collaboration. I am confident that this venture will help to bring economic and cultural benefits to the community at large”, said Chow.
Meanwhile, Wong said that the hotel will be refurbished to suit the local culture and tradition.
“The rapid growth of the various Ascott brands shows our confidence in Penang’s tourism industry”, she reteriated.
Also present at the ceremony was the State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai and the State Exco for Trade and Entrepreneurial Development & Rural Development, Dato Rashidi Zinol, Ms Sophie Mougel, Vice-President, Strategy & Regional general manager (Philippines & Malaysia), Mondi Mecja, Country general manager Ascott International Management (Malaysia) among others.
The 1926 Heritage Hotel Penang By the Unlimited Collection is expected to hold its soft opening by the end of next year and fully ready in time to celebrate its centenary in 2026.
Meanwhile, some of The Ascott Limited brands in Penang are the Ascott Hotel, Citadines, lyf, Harris, The Crest Collection and Oakwood.
