Advice on Penang

[watertreader]

Stayed in Bayview before...think that's the only hotel in your list that is in Georgetown....overall, quite ok...has a red gardenn restaurant nearby...mainly selling international cuisine... near most of the historical sites...

however if you are interested in the beach view...maybe can stay at gurney place or batu ferringhi...only problem is that it is rather far from town center though...

 

[a_keong]

Useful apps for those who using smartphone,pgfoodhunter...

http://itunes.apple.com/my/app/penang-food-hunter/id451014383?mt=8

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.gotopenang.pgfoodhunter

 

[madcampus]

Basically 3 areas you can stay in Penang depending on what you wanna do and preference.

1) Georgetown - exactly in town area, near clubs/pubs, near ferry and bridge, near historical sites.

2) Gurney area - famous Gurney roundabout makan stalls, got major shopping centre, cinemas.

3) Batu Ferringhi - beach area, just beside the famous pasaar malam.

Best advice is to drive around Penang, then you won't miss any places. 7-8
hours drive up from Singapore. More shiok if take the car go by the ferry, 7RM for the car to ferry by sea to Penang from Butterworth.

 

[megapixel]

I noticed plenty of info in this thread, thks everybody.
btw, planing of going Penang this Sept for 4d/3n, hotel very likely -
Copthorne Orchid,
Tg Bungah Beach,
Hydro hotel,
Gurney Zahra,
Bayview,
prefer along the beach,
any1 got experience on those places?

Copthorne Orchid,
Tg Bungah Beach

These 2 are located at Tanjung Bungah area which has nothing much to offer and you have to travel quite a distance to major attractions. but if you are looking for a place to relax and don't mind the not so accessible location then it's fine and the price here is generally lower than B.Ferringhi

Hydro hotel is located at the stretch before B. Ferringhi and you have to walk quite a distance to B. Ferringhi for food and there is only a few bus services plying this area.

 

[megapixel]

Best advice is to drive around Penang, then you won't miss any places. 7-8
hours drive up from Singapore. More shiok if take the car go by the ferry, 7RM for the car to ferry by sea to Penang from Butterworth.

Agree on this ! I rented a car (Perodua Kelisa) when I was there. Very convenient and I managed to go to thoses places where it's inaccessible by public transport.

Anyway driving in Penang is ok if you are used to driving in singapore. Only thing is that Georgetown seems to be jammed all day long. Im a P-Plater and got my license for 8 months only and I managed to drive around without any problems. Petrol is quite cheap at RM1.90/l (ron 95) .

If anyone need the contact of the car rental company I rented from , do pm me .

 

[saniesanie]

I stayed 2 nites in Bayview GT and 2 nites in Bayview BF last Dec. There are plenty of buses and the frequency is very fast. We took the bus 101 from BF to Gurney Dr for dinner, shop abit at Gurney Plz then back to BF again. It's quite an easy place to go round as they have very good bus services. Bayview GT is abit further up in Penang Rd, but I would opt for Cititel Hotel as there are bus-stop opp the hotel and next lane as compared to Bayview. You can book via Natas fair @$77 per nite incl. of 2 breakfast.

 

[sallyyeoss]

Does anyone know how far is Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal to Komtar? How much will be the taxis fare? Most of Spore express bus stop at Sungai Nibong and not at Komtar.

Thank

 

[tommyx]

Need recommendation for Mini Bus

Hi,

I would be going to Penang next month with my family.
Total of 14 heads.

Can someone recommend any contacts for a Mini bus/Van with driver?

Thanks.

 

[blackslayer]

hi guys. i will be staying at bayview GT hotel.. and i will be driving up. may i know how the carpark like and the security is good enough? thnaks!

 

[kweklj]

I am also going to Penang in early November and also going to stay at Bayview GT.Can tell me what is your room rate including BF and taxes. thanks

 

[blackslayer]

I am also going to Penang in early November and also going to stay at Bayview GT.Can tell me what is your room rate including BF and taxes. thanks

i rmb mine is about 153 in total exclusive of breakfast,,

 

[daygain]

I stayed in Berjaya Hotel for RM 300 per night, and you can find a copy of Penang Food Trail Brochure at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ET5OVOWH

 

[kweklj]

I stayed in Berjaya Hotel for RM 300 per night, and you can find a copy of Penang Food Trail Brochure at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ET5OVOWH

Re berjaya hotel, is the room clean? Rm300 inclusive tax etc? Thanks.

 

[kweklj]

Booked Bayview Georgetown via the Singapore office M$247 nett Superior room inclusive taxes and 2 buffet breakfast.

 

[coppee]

Penang Bus and Mobile Internet

for those who intend to use rapid penang bus service, you can get a one week pass for RM 30. you'll get a credit card sized card with the validity period written on it. Just show it to the bus driver when you board. saves having to look for coins all the time! the pass is available at the airport, komtar and a few other locations. you can check the rapid penang website for other sale locations.

for internet, you can also consider getting a one week pass for RM 18 from celcom if your hotel does not offer free internet. the dongle will cost 108 though (comes with 10mb foc), so only get it if you're oing to visit malaysia multiple times. (total cost was 118 - dongle plus 1 week pass for me) one more thing to note: there's a 500mb limit for the one week pass. should be ok for web surfing and email. Coverage is good for me, but note there's no coverage in the hills 8P. its available at the airport and major shopping centres.

Maxis and Digi prolly also offers mobile internet. Do post their package if u tried it and find it good, so that we can compare.

 

[kweklj]

Hi all, due to a short 2 days visit, can anyone advise which shopping malls are worth visiting for ladies's dresses. pharmacy outlets and nice food court serving local dishes. thanks.

 

[coppee]

gurney plaza for shopping.

gurney drive hawker center (beside gurney plaza) for food. note that cheaper and better food is available but spread out around penang island.

 

[kweklj]

thanks for your info.

 

[bbmars1128]

Booked Bayview Georgetown via the Singapore office M$247 nett Superior room inclusive taxes and 2 buffet breakfast.

Stay there several years ago. Location wise, still not too bad depending on how you want to travel around. Taxi or try the free shuttle bus that is available along Jalan Penang. Just beware, not sure there has been any changes all these years. The ground floor of the hotel lobby looks more like getai to me when I was there. Top floor, there is a rovolving restaurant. Most booking will be restricted to lower floor. Upper floor you have to pay more. Lower floor doesn't mean that low too. I was... can't remember which floor I was given, think on 15 or 11 floor. So not too worry still can tolerate the getai show on the ground floor.

However, I found something annoying then. Over the weekend, there were many local families that check into the hotel. I really meant FAMILIES. what I saw, easily >20 people into 1 room. They brought along... whatever you can name it items ranging from baby stuff to older kids, baby sleeping swing, mattress, pillow, etc... ... ... Why? because the room is really huge in size.

oh, yes, not forgetting free gifts of initial frequent "ding dong" on your door every now and then. Hope yours not like mine.

 

[Wizzard101]

Anyone has experiences staying in G hotel? Any way to get discounts?