Michael Hanratty, general manager of G Hotel Gurney in Penang, has been named a HAPA Top 10 GM of the Year at the HAPA Awards 2026 Series 3. He took a place in the Top 10 GM of the Year category at the HAPA Hospitality and Tourism Excellence Awards 2026, held on 28 October at Sunway Resort Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
G Hotel Gurney was also named a Recommended 5-Star Hotel and Resort in Malaysia at the same ceremony, putting a property award beside the individual honour collected by its general manager.
The awards night placed three Penang hotel leaders on the national list. Joining Hanratty were Michael Smeeton of Hard Rock Hotel Penang and Melvin Ooi of The Prestige Hotel Penang.
Hanratty put the result down to the hotel team. “These recognitions hold a special meaning as they reflect not only our commitment to hospitality excellence, but also the dedication, passion and collective efforts of the entire G Hotel family,” he said. “Having been part of G Hotel for the past 14 years, it has been an incredibly rewarding journey to witness the hotel’s growth and achievements. I am truly honoured to receive this recognition alongside distinguished industry leaders from Penang. This achievement is not mine alone, but belongs to every member of our team whose unwavering dedication continues to make G Hotel what it is today. It is a proud milestone that inspires us to continue raising the bar in hospitality excellence.”
Often described as the Oscars of Hospitality, the HAPA Awards has marked excellence in Malaysia’s hospitality and tourism industry for almost three decades. The programme recognises leadership, service standards and guest experience across hotels, resorts and tourism businesses.
The Gurney Drive property was not the only part of the group in the spotlight this year. Café 168 at G Hotel Gurney was named a Top 10 winner in the All-Day Dining category at the HAPA F&B and Culinary Excellence Awards 2026, held on 28 April at Hyatt Regency Midtown Kuala Lumpur.
G Hotel Gurney has 312 rooms and sits within walking distance of Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon, and minutes from the Gurney Drive hawker centre. Its sister property, G Hotel Kelawai, has 208 rooms, with spaces designed for work by day and social evenings after that.
Both hotels sit close to island attractions, including Batu Ferringhi beach and the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town.
The group said the recognitions reinforce its work in leadership, hospitality and dining, and strengthen its reputation as one of Penang’s leading lifestyle hotels.
