SINGAPORE – HPL Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of John Primmer as general manager for Hard Rock Hotel Penang. A New Zealand national, Primmer has 27 years of hospitality experience, having held senior management positions in Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom for the past 17 years. He was previously the general manager of James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington New Zealand.

Mr. Greg Lee, vice president of operations of HPL Hotels & Resorts noted, “Primmer has a wealth of experience in managing hotels. His experience and strong track record will be vital in delivering the Hard Rock brand in Malaysia.”

Scheduled to open in mid-2009, Hard Rock Penang will be the first musically-themed resort in Malaysia, which aims to infuse new excitement and energy into the popular holiday destination. Most of the 249 guestrooms are configured as deluxe rooms with sea views, while the lagoon deluxe rooms come with direct pool access off the guest balconies.

Five food and beverage establishments are planned for the resort, which will include a Hard Rock Café, an all-day dining restaurant, pizzeria, poolside bar, and lounge. Facilities include a full-service luxury spa, a fully-equipped gym, a specialized Lil’ Rock Kids Club, Teens club, Hard Rock merchandise stores, and a 26,000 sq. ft., free-form swimming pool – the largest pool in Penang.

The resort will appeal to both leisure and family travel, as well as to corporate meetings. With a variety of indoor and outdoor function facilities, including a marquee garden ballroom, pre-function garden area, and three meeting rooms, this rock n’ roll sanctuary will be a popular preference among many corporate meeting planners.