Cornerstone Partners Group delivers on RM100 million investment as DoubleTree Resort by Hilton celebrates first year anniversary
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton celebrates first anniversary amid much fanfare and merry making. It has received over 120,000 travellers and holiday makers in the first year of its opening.
Over 300 guests including the Chief Minister of Penang, Yang Amat Berhormat Chow Kon Yeow, and the State EXCO for Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH), Yang Berhormat Yeoh Soon Hin, alongside other state tourism and government officials attended the evening celebration.
In his speech, Yang Amat Berhormat Chow Kon Yeow, said, “Penang’s rich heritage and strong cultural presence has resulted in George Town being inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2008. As an exceptional example of a multicultural trading town in Southeast Asia forged from the mercantile and civilisation exchanges of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences, Penang is a modern and vibrant city that offers unique and colourful experiences centred around food, architecture, lifestyle, art and culture, and this is part of what makes Penang appealing to international and domestic visitors.”
“In addition to the range of experiences available to tourists, it is vitally important that the infrastructure exists to support the growing number of visitors,” YAB Chow added. He concluded by saying that, “The Penang State Government continues to encourage new development of hotels on the island and welcomes companies such as Cornerstone Partners Group who believe in the potential and promise of Penang, and who have invested over RM100 million, over and above the cost of property acquisition.”
Other dignitaries that graced the event include Yang Berhormat Joseph Ng Soon Seong, State Assemblyman for Air Itam and Mr. Zulkifly Md. Said, Deputy Director General (Planning), Tourism Malaysia Promotion Board.
The guests were taken back to the halcyon days of Batu Ferringhi as Jason Chong, CEO of Cornerstone Partners Group, reminisced about growing up in the area. He said that he was pleased to be able to play a part in the development of the hospitality and tourism industries in Penang.
Now a successful developer with three new hotels open and several more in development around the Asia-Pacific region, Chong elaborated, “The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang is the showpiece of the Cornerstone Partners Group strategy focused on revitalising preowned buildings, matching unique hospitality products to distinctive locations, and developing synergistic cooperation with shareholders to capitalise on both their financial investment and their complementary attributes through our network.”
“With the continuing success of the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang, we hope to show that this is a viable model for the hospitality industry, and we will be able to attract further investment and other iconic hotel brands,” Chong added.
The island state’s first Hilton property offers a fresh, unique and intriguing addition to the holiday scene for travellers visiting Penang. An ideal resort for millennial families traveling with young kids and teens, the 316-room family-focused, full-service resort offers the option to connect up to two rooms with the privacy of shared hallways, a Kid’s Club and direct access to Malaysia’s first teddy bear-themed museum, TeddyVille Museum.
Jamie Mead, Regional General Manager, Hilton, Malaysia said, “We are delighted to have brought our first DoubleTree Resort in Asia to Penang together with Cornerstone Partners Group. The Resort has been welcomed wholeheartedly by the community here, and we believe that our unique CARE – ‘Creating A Rewarding Experience’ standard of hospitality has added to the rich diversity of experiences available to visitors in Penang.
He added, “In the past year, our guests have enjoyed our multiple award-winning facilities and amenities including the 350sqm landscaped outdoor pool with an artificial beach and Makan Kitchen all-day dining restaurant showcasing the diversity of Malaysian delicacies.”
The resort also offers meetings and events facilities with a ballroom to accommodate up to 600 guests and three function spaces covering an area of more than 8,000 square feet in total, making it an ideal venue for private, social events and seminars.
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang is part of the Hilton Honors programme, an award winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 17 distinct brands. Hilton Honors members, who book directly through preferred Hilton channels, have access to instant benefits, including free standard Wi-Fi, a flexible cash/points payment slider, an exclusive member discount and points redemption for free nights.
All guests will be automatically invited to join the Hilton Honors program to fully enjoy the rewarding benefits of discounts and points earned as a Hilton Honors member, from direct bookings, dining, meetings, event weddings and social events for an unforgettable experience.
As a representative of Business Today, I would like to commend on the warm hospitality shown by the staff of the hotel especially Mr. Horsey, a bellboy, whom has made my short stay at the hotel most memorable.
