Long-Abandoned Beach Resort In Penang Is Said To Reopen In 2025
Formerly known as the Mutiara Beach Resort, this empty building is said to rebrand as the second InterContinental hotel in the nation.
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Formerly a luxury resort located on the beachfront of Teluk Bahang, Mutiara Beach Resort has been long abandoned, and carries a lot of history within its walls
Once a popular tourist spot and a frequent choice of stay for those taking a trip to the Pearl of the Orient, Mutiara Beach Resort went out of service in 2006.
However, a recent announcement states that the hotel is set to rebrand itself, and reopen in 2025.
Built in 1987 and officially opened in 1988, the resort had a total of 438 hotel rooms, and 1,500 members of staff that served at the getaway
Among some of the most popular guests included former prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, as well as the Sultan of Selangor.
Set in luxury and compared to the standards of St. Regis and Equatorial Plaza, vacation lovers from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s will recall Mutiara Beach Resort as 'the' place to stay, being one of the most elegant and opulent hotels in Southeast Asia.
Image via Mohd Hazwan Hafiz (Facebook)
The hotel was eventually closed for renovation in 2006, and set to reopen in 2008, but was further delayed to 2009, where it never came to fruition
Left abandoned until present day, this once glorified and magnificent structure now stands hollow and unkept. From the uneven growth of greenery throughout the surrounding region, to the browning dried up swimming pool as seen in recent pictures, Mutiara Beach Resort has developed a reputation over the years as one of Malaysia's 'haunted hotels'.
Nonetheless, these insinuations amount to pure hearsay, landing it on the list among other abandoned and 'haunted' hotels, such as Amber Court in Genting Highlands.
Image via Mohd Hazwan Hafiz (Facebook)
Image via Mohd Hazwan Hafiz (Facebook)
Image via Mohd Hazwan Hafiz (Facebook)
After 16 years of standstill, the resort is set to reopen in 2025 and rebrand itself as InterContinental Penang Resort
This comes after an announcement by the Penang State Executive Councillor, Yeoh Soon Hin, who oversees tourism of the state. IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's largest luxury hotel chains, is partnering up with Tradewinds Corporation Berhad, the owner of the former Mutiara Beach Resort, to revive this once prestigious hotel.
According to the vice president of Hotel Development For South, East Asia and Korea for IHG, Serena Lim, "We can't wait to bring the world's first and largest luxury hotel brand to Malaysia's second-largest city with InterContinental Penang Resort."
For illustration purposes only, InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Image via InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
For illustration purposes only, InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Image via InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
As of now, the upcoming InterContinental Penang Resort is set to open in 2025, and feature 355 rooms and suites, including a private enclave of six exclusive villas.
The facilities are imagined as a holistic wellness village, which will house 10 treatment villas, a relaxation pavilion, a yoga studio, and up to five restaurants and bars. While these are some of the amenities announced thus far, the range of entertainment hubs are said to expand over time.
For illustration purposes only, InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Image via InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
Are you excited for the reopening of this iconic hotel? Let us know in the comments!
If you're heading to Penang soon, here are some great cafes to stop by:
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Since this resort isn't opening until 2025, take a look at these other amazing resorts all around Malaysia to visit first:
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