Advice on Penang

[Monstruo^]

Before my trip to penang, I do many research on penang good food, and all of them are street foods. After I went there, yes, in deed there are so many street foods and some are different from our hawker centre food. I enjoy them a lot and it's cheap.
There are many restaurants in Straits Quay, you can check for more in Tripadvisor.

haha indeed! I did a lot of research on street food, read a lot of blogs and TripAdvisor too. Too many to eat sia.

Cant wait to go. Thanks. I actually didn't check on Straits Quay though.

 

[Monstruo^]

For BD celebration, you might want to bring her to "Farquhar Mansion" for fine dining.

Kebaya food is pretty good but perhaps ambience not too romantic.

haha I actually shortlisted Farquar Mansion, cuz is just in my hotel. Also shortlisted Kebaya as well cuz the place looks nice? Kinda like "Nyonya fine dining" it seems.

But in the end, I chose Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant. I think probably of the concept. It also has a skybar. Hope the food and ambience is nice if not then i

 

[Andrew833]

haha I actually shortlisted Farquar Mansion, cuz is just in my hotel. Also shortlisted Kebaya as well cuz the place looks nice? Kinda like "Nyonya fine dining" it seems.

But in the end, I chose Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant. I think probably of the concept. It also has a skybar. Hope the food and ambience is nice if not then i

Can check tripadvisor for reviews.

 

[MyOri.Asia]

GO china house, a variety of food, drinks, cakes etc.

haha I actually shortlisted Farquar Mansion, cuz is just in my hotel. Also shortlisted Kebaya as well cuz the place looks nice? Kinda like "Nyonya fine dining" it seems.

But in the end, I chose Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant. I think probably of the concept. It also has a skybar. Hope the food and ambience is nice if not then i

 

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

Thinking of going Penang for this year's new year eve countdown.. any idea where are the happening places? Also normally which part of Penang will have fireworks? Is it Komtar?

 

[Andrew833]

Thinking of going Penang for this year's new year eve countdown.. any idea where are the happening places? Also normally which part of Penang will have fireworks? Is it Komtar?

I went during Chinese new year period, there are many events. You can ask in tripadvisor under penang forum, this gal name PaperStoneScissors, is the expert and stay in penang can give you better answer.

 

[Monstruo^]

GO china house, a variety of food, drinks, cakes etc.

yes yes, went! long cafe

 

[librarian]

Just got back yesterday, weather is like Singapore. Very warm, but it rained over the weekend.

Tried the following place and found them to be quite nice and worth trying.

Kheng Pin Cafe - lor bak, prawn noodles
Hon Kei Food Corner - pig organ soup with rice or noodles
Tek Sen Restaurant - chinese zhi char, like the dark sauce pork belly, sweet and sour pork, braised beancurd in claypot.
Hong Cheng Roast Pork (Ayer Itam) - roast meat

The other place that I wanted to try, but missed out this time
Tai Tong Dim Sum Restaurant

 

[Habrosus]

Can anyone advise when is the best time for durians (durian season) in Penang, and hearsay there's a particular place (not sure farm or stall or street) for durians as well.

 

[Andrew833]

Can anyone advise when is the best time for durians (durian season) in Penang, and hearsay there's a particular place (not sure farm or stall or street) for durians as well.

Durian season in penang is in june. The famous one is Bao Sheng Durian Farm but don't have good reviews.
Before my trip on Feb this year, I was deciding whether to go on Feb or June for durian, but heard that June will be crowded with durian fans so decided on Feb.
I think there are some other farms for durian.

 

[Marchow]

Can anyone advise when is the best time for durians (durian season) in Penang, and hearsay there's a particular place (not sure farm or stall or street) for durians as well.

Don't know where but if you are there in Penang for durians.. NUST EAT THEIR RED PRAWN DURIANS! Best of da best!

 

[cracker]

Hi,

I am flying over to Penang from tomorrow till Saturday morning for a free and easy (be lazy) trip. I will like to move around at my leisure time.. used to rent car at the airport when I was there years ago... was wondering with all the grab & uber competiting... .has the car rental price drop.... IIRC back then off peak period was about 70 to 90 MYR per day.

 

[BDiver]

Just came back from Penang with family 5+1. Using grab from airport to hotel.
Was there 4 days.
At the hotel, was quote rm50 per hr for alphard mpv...
In the end use grab first then ask the driver if can book his tour service.
First day got a Grandis mpv grab driver, charge me rm40 per hr.
2nd day decide to try again.
Book this proton alza 6 seater.
His charges is very reasonable rm25 per hr. 6 seater, clean and tidy mvp. Young and friendly Malay chap. Ended up book him for the rest of my trip. Will definitely recommend him.
+60 12 346 2013 Zaini.

 

[joeey]

Penang isnt exactly safe during nye's to ny day itself

Went last year and we three stayed in hotel room throughout the countdown. We are lucky enough our room at batu ferringhi has balcony to watch fireworks from the opp side of the beach.

The whole of penang have all sorts of notorious motorists from kedah, langkawi etc. They travel in batches just to scare ppl. at traffic lights, they can surround u and stare and make noise. We stayed at small resort along batu ferringhi, whilst at the resort we stayed, those motorists were everywhere. Per room entitled to two pax, but somehow the reception cant control the crowd and per room, there were about 10-12 pax. Even along the corridor of the rooms was this people around. Was so scary till we use a sofa to block the main room door in case they barge in coz they were drinking. The next day morning while having breakfast, we heard the receptionist calling the director reporting the situation there. She mentioned she couldnt control the number of people checking in coz those people that check in says they need a place to bath only.

Thinking of going Penang for this year's new year eve countdown.. any idea where are the happening places? Also normally which part of Penang will have fireworks? Is it Komtar?

 

[Andrew833]

Just came back from Penang with family 5+1. Using grab from airport to hotel.
Was there 4 days.
At the hotel, was quote rm50 per hr for alphard mpv...
In the end use grab first then ask the driver if can book his tour service.
First day got a Grandis mpv grab driver, charge me rm40 per hr.
2nd day decide to try again.
Book this proton alza 6 seater.
His charges is very reasonable rm25 per hr. 6 seater, clean and tidy mvp. Young and friendly Malay chap. Ended up book him for the rest of my trip. Will definitely recommend him.
+60 12 346 2013 Zaini.

I think 40rm per hour is the market rate, Zaini must be new so don't know about market rate.

 

[ashary1]

Just came back from Penang with family 5+1. Using grab from airport to hotel.
Was there 4 days.
At the hotel, was quote rm50 per hr for alphard mpv...
In the end use grab first then ask the driver if can book his tour service.
First day got a Grandis mpv grab driver, charge me rm40 per hr.
2nd day decide to try again.
Book this proton alza 6 seater.
His charges is very reasonable rm25 per hr. 6 seater, clean and tidy mvp. Young and friendly Malay chap. Ended up book him for the rest of my trip. Will definitely recommend him.
+60 12 346 2013 Zaini.

Hi all..Will be going to Penang next month with parents and kids..
Our total pax is 4 adults + 3 small kids...Do you guys think Grab/Uber over there will accept us using 1 MPV car? Very tempted to book with this Mr Zaini but I think Proton Alza may be a bit small MPV...don't think can fit in our luggages..

 

[Andrew833]

Hi all..Will be going to Penang next month with parents and kids..
Our total pax is 4 adults + 3 small kids...Do you guys think Grab/Uber over there will accept us using 1 MPV car? Very tempted to book with this Mr Zaini but I think Proton Alza may be a bit small MPV...don't think can fit in our luggages..

If you have many luggage, 6 seater may not be able to fit. Proton Alza is too small.

 

[lilrex21]

How does Le Dream Boutique stack up against Sunway Hotel Georgetown?

I've read some recommendations for Le Dream here but the basic room seems pretty small?

Also realistically what would we fit into 3 days? Not driving. will just grab.

Arriving on a thurs evening, and departing sunday evening as well. Late november..

 

[Andrew833]

How does Le Dream Boutique stack up against Sunway Hotel Georgetown?

I've read some recommendations for Le Dream here but the basic room seems pretty small?

Also realistically what would we fit into 3 days? Not driving. will just grab.

Arriving on a thurs evening, and departing sunday evening as well. Late november..

I stay in Sunway Hotel Georgetown before, find that room is big and convenient.
Read Le Dream Boutique reviews, room and toilet are small.
Grab car is very cheap in Penang, I grab to gurney for $6-8 rm, to Pulau Tikus Market for $5 rm. Outside the hotel, day time got coffeeshops selling local food, at night more setup stalls at that area.

Go to tripadvisor to look at the photos and reviews before booking.

 

[sendtolee]

Hi all..Will be going to Penang next month with parents and kids..
Our total pax is 4 adults + 3 small kids...Do you guys think Grab/Uber over there will accept us using 1 MPV car? Very tempted to book with this Mr Zaini but I think Proton Alza may be a bit small MPV...don't think can fit in our luggages..

By law, MPV can sit 6, does not matter adults or kids. Travel insurance won't cover if something happens.
Plus driver have to prepare to be stopped by TP and get summoned, and that have to come from your pocket.