New Bob soft launches Tropics 8 hospitality suites in Penang

NEW Bob Group soft launched its Tropics 8 hospitality suites in Jalan Gottlieb, Penang, earlier this month (January). The 12-storey building, which offers 88 units, is close to Gurney Drive.

“We started our soft launch by opening up a few rooms at the beginning of the month. We are expecting 100% of the units to be available by the middle of the year,” says group director Dr Lee Ville. “We are trying to eliminate as many issues as possible since this is our first serviced suite.”

Only 24 units, from the first to the third floors, have been opened for now. Each floor has eight units with built-ups of between 592 and 859 sq ft.

“The official launch is expected to be held in the middle of the year once the rooms are all available,” Lee says. “The opening rates are affordable ... from RM188 per night onwards. So far, the response has been very convincing. We even had a guest who took a whole month with us for a holiday. Someone is also keen to take up the whole year with us.”

Lee had earlier said the suites were targeted at medical tourists who may need a place to convalesce after their treatment and family members of patients as the suites are near the Penang Adventist Hospital and other medical facilities.

Meanwhile, for the group’s River Tropics condominium in Seberang Jaya, in Central Seberang Perai, launched in December 2015, only 60% of the units have been sold.

Lee explains that 30% of the units have to be reserved under the bumiputera quota requirement.

“We can only apply for the release of the bumiputera units upon 80% completion of the project. We are targeting to sell the remaining 10% of the non-bumiputera units by this year.”

He adds that once the construction is 80% completed, he will apply for the release of the bumiputera units. Upon release, these units will most likely be put up for sale next year.