HARD ROCK ROCKS!

OK THEY'VE BEEN OPEN FOR two weeks now, so what is the state of play at Penang's hottest happening place?

"It's been a bit busier than we anticipated," said the dry-humoured GM John Primmer, who has lost some weight since I last saw him, making his six foot something frame even taller. (He doesn't even have time to eat, it's been THAT busy!) And of course he's being modest - the novelty value of Hard Rock Hotel, which opened on 19 September, has not died down. They are packed, especially at weekends, when occupancy is practically 100%. In fact, the first few days they even had to turn people away!

As for the Hard Rock Cafe, their flagship f&b outlet, one has to practically book several days in advance, it's been that popular. On top of that, they are already catering for corporate and private functions. Last night when I was there they had THREE on. It's a bit tough for a very new outfit to handle, and would account for some delay in the food we had ordered from their seafront pizzeria, but I can appreciate the sorts of things they have to tackle. Even the Rasa Sayang had teething problems when they reopened 3 years ago.

In the hotel itself, they've tried for a chic and contemporary ambiance which has been quite successful: everything is white and modern. The ground-floor rooms have direct access to the long pool (longest in Penang) so families with children under 14 can't book them - I can understand why. Original items which used to belong to famous (and not so famous) rock stars line some walls and the cafe itself, including Madonna's famous bustier which is "priceless", according to Elisa Saw, their Communications Manager. In fact, their warehouse in the US stocks some 70,000 original items which they have been collecting since the 1970s! Hmmm ... I wonder if they want an original Helen Ong bra ... comes a lot cheaper. In fact, it will be priceless too ... but only cos no one will want to pay anything for it!!!!!

The pizzeria serves pizza and pastas, and Hard Rock Cafe the typical iconic menu which has made it such a famous name: burgers, chicken wings, potato skins and such like. Today I was there - again - for the launch of "Pinktober", the continuation of a 10-year worldwide campaign to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

They will be selling t-shirts and pins at the hotel - I've rather got my eye on the dangling pink ribbon adorned with pink rhinestones ... but a bit pricey at RM75. However, 75% will go towards charity. Throughout October, they will also be holding a charity auction for a "Hello Kitty" Special Edition Fender electric guitar. Can't quite see my son playing on it somehow, as it's all pink ... ! There will be various smoothies and mocktails available, alcoholic and otherwise. It's a great cause, and it's great to see our latest hotel doing things for the good of society almost as soon as they open.

It's early days yet, but already I can see that they will be rocking Penang. Just a few minor things to iron out, but knowing John, it shouldn't be a problem. Rock on, Hard Rock!