JC3

Hi,

Two weeks ago in KL I heard a whisper that the Hilton Worldwide hotel chain will be opening an hotel in Batu Ferringhi.

I heard the same thing again yesterday from a well-connected local businessman in Penang. He said Hilton will be turning the former Hydro hotel into a Doubletree by Hilton hotel.

The Hydro overlooks Miami Beach, and lies between Shamrock Beach to the east and Moonlight Bay to the west.

I hope it’s true. I like the Doubletree in KL.

Anyone have more details?

JC3

bakedbean

So that is the cheapy Hilton brand, like the Sheraton Four Points? Well got to be good news I would've thought.

Strider24

As long as their guests only park one side of Jalan Low Yat as indicated, I don't care

Kirisuchina

Nothing much has happened on the site for months. Curious to know if the Doubletree plan is still on track.

Gunnar45

Well, they emptied the pool today, Sunday :-)
And there has been some hammering sounds coming from there but no activities can be seen (except at the pool)

But turning the Hydro into a Hilton??
Not a good location IMHO.

JC3

Looks like it
Saw a big Doubletree sign poster up outside the hotel today
Confirms the whispers I heard
JC3

bakedbean

A bit more news here (though not much):
Hilton to Expand in Malaysia with DoubleTree Resort, Penang - June 22, 2015 - Zacks.com

Due to open in 2016, it will have 318 rooms, as well as an all day dining restaurant, a lobby bar and a cafe.

Kirisuchina

Does anyone know what is going on with the Hydro/Doubletree? There hasn't been any activity at the half-completed site for quite a long time.

Gunnar45

If you check the Hilton website, you can see that they are open for reservations from September onwards.
There are some small activities going on at the site
So apart from the wall towards the road, I don't think that any major works remain.
The top four floors windows do already have curtains.

JC3

Here’s a preview of the new Hilton Doubletree Penang (Miami beach, Batu Ferringhi - where the Hydro Hotel used to be) scheduled to open in Q3 2016.

Penang Hotel - DoubleTree by Hilton Penang- Malaysia

Not sure they got this 'Highlight' correct though "Close to the business district and the SPICE Convention Center"


JC3

InVinoVeritas

Nor the "beautiful seafront boulevard of Gurney Drive" which now includes a 2m mesh fence with climbing plants while they move the sea 1km further away!

bakedbean

Maybe they've changed the blurb a bit but I'm reading
The Bayan Lepas business district and the SPICE Convention Center are a convenient 45 minute drive away
I guess they are targetting business travellers, but do we have any of those?

Not exactly on topic but I notice there is a little Local Weather tab on the bottom left hand side and it says 33 degrees and thunderstorm Ooh I hope so.

JC3

No, not changed the blurb (although I think they should). If you go down another 17 lines from what you read, you'll see the sentence I quoted, under 'Highlights'.

JC3

Gunnar45

Haha, convenient(!) 45 minute drive away.
Just imagine the convenience of the rush hours in the mornings and afternoons.

But after that effort one can always relax at the beautiful beach just across the street.

Anyway, I wish them success as it is convenient to have a (hopefully) nice restaurant next door :-)

SushiFan

It is "convenient" in the sense that nobody, having an office in Bayan Lepas, will come to your hotel to disturb you.