Mecja (second from left) and Hwang (second from right) signing the documents for Harris Sunshine Penang, with Mak (left) and Radzali as witnesses. — JEREMY TAN/The Star
HARRIS Sunshine Penang is set to open its doors to guests by late 2023 as the first international hotel in Ayer Itam.
Occupying an 18-storey block in the Sunshine Central mixed development by Crimson Omega Sdn Bhd, it promises a fresh experience for business and leisure travellers alike.
There will be 289 rooms, comprising studio, one-bedroom and dual-key two-bedroom units.
Amenities include a 25m-long swimming pool, 160-seat all-day dining restaurant and gymnasium.
It will also have one of the biggest MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) facilities in Penang, with a 33,500sq ft ballroom ideal for large-scale events and weddings.
This was announced during a signing ceremony between The Ascott Ltd (CapitaLand Investment Ltd’s wholly-owned lodging business unit that manages the Harris brand) and Crimson Omega (Suiwah Corporation Bhd’s wholly-owned property subsidiary) which will manage the hotel.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin was present to witness the event at Suntech@Penang Cybercity.
The Ascott Ltd business development head Mak Hoe Kit and Ascott Malaysia general manager Mondi Mecja both expect strong market demand for Harris Sunshine Penang.
Weighing the positive factors, they pointed to the rebound of both domestic and international tourism since the lifting of travel restrictions, the property’s strategic location near tourist hotspots like the Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill, as well as the myriad dining and retail attractions coming up in the nine-storey Sunshine Central directly below the hotel.
“Harris’ concept is to provide world-class hospitality in a fun and vibrant environment for travellers, with an emphasis on well-being.
“Guests will enjoy the complete lifestyle experience and unparalleled convenience in a self-contained, live, shop, work and play environment,” said Mak, who is also the company’s managing director of lodging private equity funds.
Mecja said the hotel marked the debut of the Harris brand in Penang and he is expecting it to be a choice venue for the MICE market.
“The large ballroom will be able to accommodate up to 1,200 guests or 120 banquet tables.
“There will also be seven smaller function rooms catering to 450 guests overall,” he added.
Crimson Omega chief executive officer Cynthia Hwang said Sunshine Central’s other components – a mall, office tower and wellness centre – would have a positive impact on Ayer Itam and nearby neighbourhoods.
“We are aiming to complete this mega project by the third or fourth quarter of 2023. It is expected to create over 3,000 job opportunities.
“The new hotel will also bring an influx of tourists to spur the local economy.
“We’re optimistic that surrounding communities will prosper from it,” she added.
Speaking to the media later, Hwang confirmed that a well-known American financial group would be taking up eight levels of Sunshine Central’s office tower.
Ascott was voted the “Leading Serviced Apartment Brand” in Malaysia for three consecutive years and is one of the largest lodging owner-operators with 26 properties in 11 cities.
This includes 14 that will open between now and 2027 in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Shah Alam, Damansara, Melaka, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Penang.
Among them is Harris Hotel Putrajaya Sentral, which will be opening in 2025.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Indonesia consul-general in Penang Bambang Suharto, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang, Suiwah Corporation Bhd chairman Datuk Radzali Hassan and managing director Datuk Hwang Thean Long.
