C. Khor
Le Méridien Penang Airport is a 200-room Marriott hotel planned beside Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas. Developer Rackson Group now gives the fourth quarter of 2027 as the completion date. It joins the new hotels in Penang as supply keeps growing.
Marriott International and Rackson signed the hotel management agreement in January 2022. At that time, the hotel was slated for the end of 2026. However, Rackson’s website now says 2027 Q4, so it will not open this year.
The hotel is one part of Penang Gateway, a RM1.5 billion mixed-use project on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. Here is what is planned, who is behind it and what is still unclear.
Rooms, suites and pool at Le Méridien Penang Airport
Overall, the hotel is planned with 200 rooms. The 2022 plan broke that down into 186 guestrooms and 14 suites. Moreover, the top suite is a presidential suite of 2,000 sq ft.
Rackson Group chief executive officer Kelvin Lor said in 2022 the hotel would have an infinity pool. It would overlook the airport runway. In addition, the plan includes a club lounge, fitness facilities and a pool area with a sundeck.
Meanwhile, dining is planned too. An all-day restaurant would serve a modern European and Asian buffet. Besides, there would be a specialty restaurant and a café. Furthermore, the brand’s signature Latitude Bar is in the plan, along with 7,000 sq ft of meeting and event space.
SA Architects Malaysia designed the hotel with a mid-century look inspired by the golden age of travel. A sky bridge would link guests to the adjacent shopping mall. Meanwhile, Bayan Lepas industrial areas are 15 minutes away by car, and George Town is 25 minutes away.
Penang Gateway around Le Méridien Penang Airport
Specifically, the hotel sits in the first phase of Penang Gateway, together with serviced suites and retail space. In addition, Rackson plans 608 units of Avion Serviced Apartments in the same project. A medical centre and an independent residential tower are also on the list.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said in 2022 that Penang Gateway would be the state’s first transport-oriented development. He said it would link to the airport through a bridge and to an airport LRT station. The LRT line itself is still ahead.
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Chow also said the medical services should help medical tourism in Penang. Likewise, he said the project would create jobs in construction and, later, in the hotel. As a result, the state sees it as a post-pandemic boost.
The site is near the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone. Chow said in 2022 that it hosts more than 300 multinational companies. Business travellers are therefore the obvious target. Meanwhile, the airport keeps growing with new routes.
When Le Méridien Penang Airport could open
Rackson’s own website lists 2027 Q4 as the completion date. Therefore, that is a year later than the end-2026 target announced in 2022. No official opening date has been given.
However, the website is a sales page for the development. It markets airport condos and serviced apartments to investors. Importantly, it lists no room rates, booking link or opening offer for the hotel.
Another Marriott brand is closer to opening. Courtyard by Marriott Penang is due at Icon City in December, according to our earlier report. Overall, Penang will gain more branded rooms over the next year.
In short, Le Méridien Penang Airport is a 200-room hotel due by Q4 2027 beside the airport. No rates or opening date are out yet. Watch for a Marriott booking page.
Sidhaarthan
Yalinie Mathan
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