John PrimmerA New Zealand national, Primmer has 27 years of hospitality experience, having held senior management positions in Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom for the past 17 years. He was previously the General Manager of James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington New Zealand. 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 specialised 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.