Rocking Hard Around the Clock

Weh heh! It looks like it's all happening! The Hard Rock Hotel in Penang, I mean. The very first in Malaysia. After months of eager anticipation, they have finally set their opening day for 18 September this year, so no going back now!

One of the sure signs is that this week employees from all over the world, including Head Office in Orlando, Florida, are here to train and be trained on how to be Hard Rockers in their "Rock 101" week. It was certainly quite jazzy, with a lot of enthusiastic American-style encouragement and motivation, if the shouts and cheers were anything to go by. According to the dimunitive and cheerful Betty Lim, Director of Sales and Marketing, it's important that they get the right people from the start, and that good training is also vital, hence the week. "We're going to be different."

There will be 250 rooms, 5 f&b outlets including the famous eponymous cafe (glad to hear that), full service luxury spa and ... wait for it ... the largest pool in Penang (2400 sq metres) complete with swim-up bar! Meanwhile, they've already started taking bookings. The Stage Pass looks interesting, although I can't wait for the press invite ... hint hint ...

I was privileged to be invited to meet some of the key players at the Hydro Hotel in Batu Ferringhi today.

I met Elisa Saw, their new Marketing Comms Manager, and also Sean Dee, the No.2 from the US. He told me that Asia is a very important market to them, where they already have 3 hotels and casinos. When they were looking to establish the fourth, they tried to identify a city with a unique character, and decided on Penang as a nice balance between Singapore and Macao. You're quite right. We ARE unique!

Rock on, Hard Rock! Look forward to having you in Penang.