IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a deal to resurrect the former Penang Mutiara Beach Resort at Teluk Bahang in Malaysia into the InterContinental Penang Resort.

The abandoned Penang Mutiara Beach Resort last welcomed guests back in 2006.

Opening in 2025, InterContinental Penang Resort will welcome guests to Penang’s Glowing Bay in Teluk Bahang, where they can relax in a tropical beach sanctuary amidst biodiverse flora and fauna. With the Teluk Bahang Fishing Village, Penang National Park and the Penang Tropical Spice Garden as its immediate neighbours, guests will also enjoy unobstructed views of the Malacca Straits featuring white sand beaches, clear emerald waters and a backdrop of lush mountainous forests for an unforgettable experience.

Serena Lim, Vice President, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG said: “We can’t wait to bring the world’s first and largest international luxury hotel brand to Malaysia’s second-largest city with InterContinental Penang Resort.

“A city steeped in history and culture, Penang presents a strong leisure and corporate travel demand, buoyed by the recent border reopening and ending of travel restrictions. We want to create the best resort destination in Penang, make it attractive to all types of guests and further solidify IHG’s brand presence in Malaysia in the luxury segment,” Lim said.

A 30-minute drive from central Georgetown, InterContinental Penang Resort will feature 355 rooms and suites, up to three bedrooms, and a private enclave of six villas for guests seeking a truly immersive stay among nature. The stay experience is complemented by a holistic wellness village which will house 10 treatment villas, a yoga studio, and a relaxation pavilion.

Facilities include three swimming pools, five restaurants and bars and the brand’s world-renowned Club InterContinental Lounge.

InterContinental Penang Resort will be the second InterContinental hotel in Malaysia, after InterContinental Kuala Lumpur.