Along the fascinating Gurney Drive promenade, which has seen various decades of development as a leisure precinct, the new 37-storey Ascott Gurney Penang rises as the newest kid on the block. It opened in March of this year, as part of the larger Gurney Walk commercial complex which also boasts a range of dining, fashion, wellness and entertainment offerings.
This opening of Ascott Gurney Penang signals the arrival of the ‘World’s Leading Apartment Brand’ – an award conferred to The Ascott at the World Travel Awards 2021 – in the island of Penang. It also situates the property on the fringe of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town city with its 10,000 pre-war shop houses, many of which has undergone gentrification that has made it incredibly colourful and rich in experiences, against a backdrop of colonial heritage and melting-pot cultures.
Tourists, leisure-seekers and even business types will be able to check into a modern serviced apartment with 271 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom accommodations, with in-room amenities such as fully furnished kitchenettes, built-in washers and dryers, and LED screens with satellite and cable channels. Its sea-view rooms are generously sized, with studios starting at 44 square metres while the two-bedroom premier spans across 107 square metres.
Guests stepping inside its swish lobby are immediately welcomed by a sizeable art installation, with the adjacent Jo’s Bar serving up delicious concoctions of cocktails featuring local ingredients such as the signature Jogin & tonic, (a twist on the classic G&T but with the added fascination of screwpine, honeydew and aromatics), or even a virgin Mango Asam Boi which recalls a popular local thirst quenchers. The all-day Timur Coffee House meanwhile, provides a delicious breakfast to start your day before you take in the many sights, sounds and tastes that George Town and the rest of the island has to offer. Across the day, Timur serves up a range of Penang specialities from the ubiquitous Char Koay Teow and Mee Mamak to more international fare such as pastas, pizzas and even a parmesan-crusted lamb rack for those who have worked up an appetite.
Be it a short trip or long stay, guests will be able to fully luxuriate in the relaxing environment of Ascott Gurney Penang with its multitude of facilities. These range from a residents-only lounge, pool bar, outdoor infinity pool and Technogym-equipped gymnasium to plenty of attractions for the little ones such as a playground, playroom and wading pool. For business guests, the hotel offers meeting rooms, business centre services and secretarial services to ensure that their stay is productive. Its meeting rooms start from 54 square metre up to the 768-square-metre Plenitude Grand Ballroom which can accommodate 900 pax in a theatre style configuration or up to 500 for wedding or corporate banquets.
Long-stay guests who enjoy a bit of in-room cooking will be pleased to know that the fully fledged kitchenette features an electric hob & hood, microwave oven, refrigerator and even toaster for the smell of fresh toast in the mornings. A laundrette on property allows them to also pack light for their trip while enjoying the many delights that the location has to offer. For Ascott’s Country General Manager for Malaysia Mondi Mecja, the debut of the first Ascott-branded property in Penang is an entry into the world of exclusivity, personalised services and impeccable comfort that discerning travellers are after, and an invitation for guests to experience “the award-winning hospitality in one of Malaysia’s most historical cities.”
From now till 30 September 2022, opening promotions at Ascott Gurney Penang include room nights starting from RM388*for Ascott Star Rewards members.
