Rocking at Hard Rock Hotel Penang

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

The distinctive rock and roll themed décor of the hotel is plastered with memorabilia, a white statue of Michael Jackson sitting on a throne, a mosaic wall of the Beatles as well as autographed platinum records. Throughout the hotel, one would also come across display cabinets exhibiting outfits worn by famous music legends including a black leather jacket, jeans and scarf by Bon Jovi and even red robot shoes by Elton John.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang blends vibrant music culture with contemporary chic and has 250 rockin' rooms and suites. The 6-storey hotel is located along the famed Batu Ferringhi Beach.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

One interesting feature of the hotel is the pool. It has the largest free-form pool in Northern Malaysia with a large play area for kids complete with whirling, twirling and looping water slides. You can imagine the screams of excited children in glee, running around losing all their composure, a stark transformation from their zombie-like, handphone-addicted selves. Even when the sun has set and it is way over dinner time, the pool is still being enjoyed. The pool closes only at 9 p.m. Well, disgruntled kids will only be too happy to jump in the next morning when it opens at 7 a.m.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Most of the hotel’s cool and wild activities are also centered around the pool. You could also opt for a room on the ground floor where you could literally jump out of bed straight into the pool.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

The hotel offers some pretty cool music programmes for guests. In its Picks programme, you could have a guitar with floor amplifiers and headphones delivered to your room so you can jam while on your getaway. You could even ask for free guitar lessons or download a curated music playlist for free.

My daughter was hooked to the 50-inch TV and its interactive IPTV system with free blockbuster movies on demand, a great way to catch up on movies you have missed and have always wanted to see. The BOSE Sound Systems made the viewing more enjoyable.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Away from the madding crowd and tugged in a secluded sanctuary surrounded by lush greenery is the hotel's spa centre. It has private outdoor cabanas and a list of therapies to choose from. Among those listed is the unique Rhythm and Motion treatment which uses music rhythm, bass vibrations and treble beats to send pulses through the body.

I enjoy a good traditional, oil-based body massage and pamper myself so very often. The blind therapist I frequent is high skilful in reducing muscle tension aches and I believe stress too. One day I with have to try Hard Rock's Rhythm and Motion treatment to see if this world’s first fully immersive music-centric massage is equally invigorating if not better.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

Hard Rock Cafe serves an all-American fare from legendary steak burgers to a smokehouse bbq combo as well as hand-crafted cocktails. The friendly staff is always at hand to help you decide. Hotel guests enjoy a 10% discount.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

A must-try item at the cafe is its hot fudge brownie. The warm chocolate brownie is topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, crushed walnuts and whipped cream. The blazingly good dessert is, however, served in a tall glass which I found cumbersome. It was unstable and I had to hold the base down to avoid the glass from tipping over. This dessert used to be served on a plate like the homemade apple cobbler.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

The cafe and pub combo puts a great deal of focus on its live music with bands performing daily. If you like Hard Rock merchandise, the souvenir shop is also located at the cafe.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

We had breakfast at The Starz Diner. The buffet spread was extensive with perhaps, too many things to sample. I started at the egg station and being a glutton, ate way too much that morning. Guests staying at the hotel could also enjoy breakfast at Pizzeria. It is less crowded and the al fresco dining experience overlooking the azure waters of the Andaman Sea is a beautiful way to start the day.

My family and I had a fun-filled time staying at Hard Rock Hotel. The friendly and cheerful staff made it memorable.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang © Adrian Cheah

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Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
T: +604 881 1711

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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah
© All rights reserved
30 June 2019