Party time

It's time to party hard in Penang.

The Hard Rock Hotel is set to open its doors in Batu Ferringhi this September. It'll be one of only 10 around the world. The others are in Bali, Pattaya, San Diego, Chicago, Biloxi, Hollywood, Las Vegas, Macau and Tampa. So these cities will keep Penang in very good company! Apart from the American-sized meals that we'd expect from the mainstay Hard Rock Cafe, we can now look forward to savour the Hard Rock hospitality business.

It's their first in Malaysia but it's not going to be cheap. I understand that the hotel's opening special package starts at RM368++ for a Hillview deluxe room and RM418++ for a Seaview deluxe room, valid between 19 Sep and 18 Dec 2009.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang (occupying the former Casuarina Hotel land beside the sea) will have 249 rooms and suites with unprecedented view of the hill and sea, and they are fully equipped with DVD/CD players, LCD TVs, iPod docking stations and WiFi connectivity. But there's no mention whether each room will come equipped with a sound system for a totally private audio-visual experience. I suppose not.

Foodies will definitely be spoilt for choice with five food and beverage outlets: the famous Hard Rock Cafe, all-day dining restaurant Starz Diner, the Pizzeria by the poolside, The Shack pool bar and at the Lobby Lounge.

Now, let's see whether this September, I can pick up an authentic Hard Rock Cafe Penang t-shirt...