Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Penang 50 Golden Anniversary Celebration

The Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Penang located in the popular tourist belt of Batu Ferringhi, Penang is no stranger to accommodate the needs of travellers and those who live in the city itself. The first five-star resort in Malaysia under the Shangri-La Group turns 50 this year and celebrates its golden anniversary on 9th November 2023 at the FIP Lounge, Garden Wing.

The heartwarming and nostalgia-tinged festivities was attended by Madam Kay Kuok, the niece of founder Robert Kuok and who is also the Director of Kuok Singapore Limited, Datin Rozina Amin, Executive Director of Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Berhad; Caroline Cheah, Senior Vice President, Operations of Shangri-La S.E.A.A.; Markus Christ, Area General Manager in Penang, Communications Director Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman, executive members and guests.

It was a celebratory event, with the launching of a photo gallery titled “50 Years: A Love for Life and All Its Pleasures” followed by an appreciation dinner. The photo exhibition features a specially-curated collection of artifacts, photographs and memorabilia that will take visitors on a remarkable journey through time.

There are 30 over informative display panels charting the many chapters of Rasa Sayang’s history. Of particular nostalgia is its early development and grand opening on 9th November 1973 by the country’s second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak and Shangri-La Group’s chairman of the board of directors Tan Koon Kee. Built on the motto of “A Love for Life and All Its Pleasures”, it ushered in a new era of heartfelt hospitality and set new benchmarks of excellence.

“This trip down memory lane is also an expression of gratitude towards our guests, many of whom have returned and stayed with us numerous times throughout those years. It’s a tribute to their unwavering loyalty and support,” said Markus Christ, Shangri-La Group Penang Area General Manager.

After Markus’s speech and the opening of the photo gallery, the management of Rasa Sayang had a long-service award presentation and appreciation dinner with current and past employees at the Pelangi Ballroom.

Madam Kay Kuok also presented awards to colleagues like Tan Khai Seng in honour of his 50 years of service. Currently a Paymaster, he is the only person to have worked at Rasa Sayang since its opening in 1973 until now.

Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, Penang, was Malaysia’s first 5-star resort when it opened on 9 November 1973 as part of the renowned Shangri-La Group. It offers guests an exceptional blend of modern comforts and traditional charm amidst 30 lush acres of gardens lined by majestic, century-old rain trees and situated along the island’s famous Batu Feringgi Beach.

With an enduring commitment to providing heartfelt hospitality, Rasa Sayang – whose name means ‘feeling of love’ in Malay – is a treasured destination for discerning travellers seeking unforgettable experiences. Initially known as Rasa Sayang Resort, it was inspired by the legendary paradise featured in James Hilton’s 1933 classic Lost Horizon due to its verdant environment, tranquil serenity, and service excellence.

In the wake of Asia’s rapid economic development at the turn of the millennium, the resort underwent major redevelopment in 2004 and reopened as Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in 2006, featuring an expansive new Garden Wing to cater to the increasing number of travellers visiting Penang following a boom in tourism. A golf course was added in 2008 and the Spice Market Cafe in 2010, but the resort lost none of the magic that made its earlier iteration such a beloved institution. Guests patronising its restaurants like Feringgi Grill in the 1970s and 80s found themselves traipsing down memory lane with the new, more lavish surroundings.

Visitors today include four-generation families, and the seniors vividly remember their good times. Many are returnees who come year after year, as there is nowhere else they would rather be. Rebranded to its present name in 2021, Rasa Sayang remains a grand old dame of Penang and the second oldest property among Shangri-La Group’s extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts around the world. With many international awards to its name, it is today regarded as one of the world’s finest resorts. The latest accolades include Best Beach Upcountry Resort and Best Hotel Spa 2023 by readers of Travel + Leisure, a world-renowned travel publication.