Courtyard by Marriott Penang to open at Icon City in December

Courtyard by Marriott Penang is due to open in December at Icon City in Bukit Mertajam. The 196-room hotel will take over the existing Iconic Hotel Penang.

Marriott International and Iconic Group signed the agreement in July. Marriott has also lined up The Westin brand for Penang, so the mainland gets a hotel from the group too.

Here is what the hotel will offer, who it aims to serve and what is still unknown.

What Courtyard by Marriott will offer

First, the change. Courtyard by Marriott Penang will come from rebranding Iconic Hotel Penang, in a phased transformation. The building already stands in Icon City, so this is a conversion, not a new build.

Next, the work. It will begin with the guestrooms, public areas, restaurants and recreational facilities.

Then, the dining. Guests will get an all-day restaurant, a café and a bar.

Also, the leisure side. The plans list an outdoor pool and a fitness centre with sauna and steam rooms.

Meanwhile, the event space. A 640 sq m divisible ballroom and two more meeting rooms are planned. The ballroom can be split into smaller rooms.

The hotel keeps its 196 rooms through the rebrand. It aims at business and leisure guests, and at meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

Where it is and who is behind it

First, the site. Icon City is a four-hectare integrated commercial development in Bukit Mertajam, on the Penang mainland.

Next, the access. The hotel has direct links to the North-South Expressway and is within reach of Penang International Airport.

Also, the neighbours. The nearby industrial areas include Prai Free Industrial Zone, Penang Science Park, Batu Kawan Industrial Park and Kulim Hi-Tech Park.

Together, these industrial parks give the hotel a ready base of business travellers.

Iconic Group chairman Datuk Seri Tan Kean Tet said the deal shows confidence in the mainland’s growth.

Andree Susilo is vice-president of hotel development for Asia-Pacific excluding China at Marriott International. Andree said the signing shows the company’s drive to expand in strong destinations.

Then, the track record. The deal builds on the two firms’ earlier tie-up on Iconic Marjorie Penang, a Tribute Portfolio hotel.

For island stays, see our report on the Penang Marriott complex on Gurney Drive.

What is still unknown

First, the date. Only December has been given, with no day set.

Next, the rates. No room prices or opening offers have been announced.

Also, the transition. The reports do not say if Iconic Hotel Penang keeps taking guests while the work goes on.

Then, the cost. No figure has been given for the conversion.

Next, the dining. The reports do not say if the restaurant, café and bar will be open to non-guests.

Also, the design. The photos released so far show the existing building, not the finished look.

Finally, the wider plans. The reports do not say whether more mainland hotels will follow.

One report calls it the brand’s debut on the Penang mainland. The other reports do not make that claim.

For now, check Marriott’s official channels for bookings. We will update this story when the date is confirmed. In short, December is the date to watch.

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