KUALA LUMPUR: The Crowne Plaza Penang Straits City, the inaugural project within the RM3 billion Straits City Future City waterfront development, has officially opened in Penang, marking the debut of the Crowne Plaza brand in the state.
Introduced by global hospitality leader IHG Hotels & Resorts, the RM250 million hotel adds a new dimension to Penang's thriving hospitality landscape.
Located on Butterworth's prime waterfront, the 23-story hotel features 343 luxurious rooms and suites, catering to the rising demand for premium accommodations on the mainland.
A standout feature is its 653-square-metre Straits Ballroom, capable of hosting up to 800 guests, making it a premier destination for events and conferences.
The hotel is part of the ambitious 16.19-hectare Straits City master plan, developed by Singapore-listed The Straits Trading Company Limited and Malaysia Smelting Corporation Berhad (MSC).
Straits Trading holds a 52 per cent stake in MSC, the world's third-largest integrated tin producer.
Straits City is located next to Taman Selat, which was developed in the 1980s by Straits Trading.
It's a timely development, coming on the heels of Malaysia's ambitious ambitions for Butterworth and Seberang Perai, the Greater Butterworth region. Butterworth is expected to increase to 1.2 million people by 2030, representing 55 per cent of the state's total population, according to the State Government's Vision 2030 plan.
Straits City integrates green technologies and pedestrian-friendly designs, setting new standards for smart and sustainable urban living in Penang.
Eric Teng, chief executive officer of Straits Developments Pte Ltd, highlighted the significance of the hotel.
"We believe this hotel sets a new standard for hospitality in Butterworth, catering to the needs of discerning travellers while contributing to the ongoing growth and revitalisation of this city."
"With limited business accommodation options on Penang's mainland and increasing business activity driven by new foreign direct investments, we are confident that Crowne Plaza Penang Straits City will fulfil the need of a luxury hotel in that locality."
The Straits City development includes a diverse mix of retail, commercial, and residential properties, such as serviced apartments and condominiums, with phased construction expected to continue until 2038.
This transformative project is poised to reshape urban living in Penang, Teng said.