fredandgingermad

Hey,

we're looking at visiting Penang for 5 days/nights as part of our honeymoon next June and were looking for advice on first where is better to stay out of Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi, pros, cons etc

Also best hotels in both areas

We're going to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore either side of the trip to Penang and see this as being the relaxing part of our honeymoon! We do like history however, if we went for Batu Ferringhi would it be simple enough to do a day trip to Georgetown?

Many thanks

MmePerdu

Location depends entirely on whether you prefer the hustle & bustle of one of Asia's most fascinating small cities, as I do, or whether you want a beach.

I stayed at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion for 2 weeks and if you click on my name you'll see it's my favorite place to stay of hundreds I've been all over the world. Read about this fascinating house/hotel here: http://cheongfatttzemansion.com/

If you want more standard upscale colonial-era digs, you can't do much better than the E&O, the Eastern & Oriental on the edge of Georgetown, a short walk to everything.
http://www.eohotels.com/

It's about a 5 minute walk between the 2, so style is the factor, rather than location. Either hotel would be good for kicking back. You don't need to leave the confines unless you want to and if you do, to find a great restaurant, for instance, they're on your doorstep, unlike the beach locations.

Kathie

We had no interest in staying in Ferringhi. The beaches there are just ok. But Georgetown is fascinating and has some of the best hawker food anywhere. We stayed at the E&O and loved it. It's a honeymoon-worthy hotel. You can walk anywhere in Georgetown from either the Cheong Fatt Tze or the E&O. You will want to visit the Cheong Fatt Tze no matter where you stay.

Personally, I would find a day trip to Georgetown unsatisfying.

fredandgingermad

As we're already visiting two cities we're really looking for beach and relaxation for this middle part, however from looking at the train times (my fiance is train mad so train travel is a must) we'd arrive at Butterworth at 2220 so we're now thinking a couple of nights in George Town and then the weekend for the beach etc could be better so would have a bit longer in George Town but still get the relaxing beach time as well

crellston

Just returned to Penang for a week after a six year absence. Still ranks as one of the great foodie destinations in Asia. I would not , however expect to much from the beaches.

We stayed at Batu Ferringba few years ago at the Shangri La Rasa Ria and recall getting upgraded to a magnificent Suite ( get hold of the GMs name and email him saying it is your honeymoon. You will doubtless get some form of preferential treatment. Don't expect too much of the beaches and you won't be dissapointed. The pool areas were lovely as I recall.

One of the best place we found to eat in Penang was at Andrews Kampung hard to find in a small shopping mall accross the road from the Shangri la but well worth the effort of finding it.


It is a 45 min bus or taxi ride into GT. Buses are easy to navigate and a lot cheaper than a taxi.

The E&O is doubless the best hotel on the Island although there are a few lesser known places which probably come close. I would not bother to visit the Cheong Fat Tze mansion as most of it is not available to view since it was converted to a hotel ( the 45 min "basically" consisted of. Guide droning on interminably for 35 mins in the courtyard whilst everyone looked totally bored. Seemed like a great place to stay although, if I were a guest I might find the tours a little irritating.

BTW Congratulations!

Guenmai

I'm in Bangkok at the present for another few weeks, but will then be at the E&O for a week. I'll try to remember to report back. I'm booked into the new wing that opened in 2013 where all the rooms have water views, I've read. I opted for the new wing, over the traditional wing.

Happy Travels!

kmkrnn

Have a look at Clove hall.. Many of us fordorits have stayed there. It is an old spice farm mansion that has been converted into a small hotel. Walkable to historic area, but quieter than some of the other offerings in town. Nice pool, lovely tea time traditional pool side. staff very friendly and helpful. there is a place to eat not far from the E and O that is called I think the Museum, or something of that ilk. Nice place to eat. Don't forget the food court.

goawaysam

For my recent visit to Japan, I stayed at Georgetown area and found that Georgetown is a convenient place to stay.

Here's my blogpost of my visit to Penang, just to share:
http://goawaysam.blogspot.sg/p/penang-2014-sep.html

fredandgingermad

Great pictures from both Kuala Lumpur and Penang!

Thanks for the tips on the trains, don't think I was expecting to think that my ski jacket might be a good thing to pack!!

fredandgingermad

Fairly sure we'll pitch for the E&O in George Town, thanks for the tips on the beaches, guess we're now looking for where has the interesting pool sides, as we're pretty much just looking for relaxation we seem to have a fair few options to investigate!

rhkkmk

the beach water is not too clean in panang.. our local guide told us most of it is polluted, especially the part out by the big hotels--he used to work out there..

the E&O has a fab pool riverside.

I loved Clove Hall

fredandgingermad

That's interesting, thankyou! As an aside there is some mention of waterborne activities available, including parasailing, anyone know anymore?

Guenmai

fredandgingermad: If you need a private driver in Georgetown, then I highly recommend the following one.

Azmi e-mail: azmi1990/yahoo I asked him today, if I could post his e-mail address and he gave his approval.

I just had him today and he was great! After breakfast this morning at the E&O, I went to the front desk and requested a private (taxi) driver. Some days ago I had enquired about the price and was told it would be 45 MR per hour with a minimum of 4 hours. If it's a hotel driver, it's 200MR per hour.

I asked for the (taxi) driver to come an hour after my request and he was here and on time. He's a young guy, in his early/mid 20s and was so laid back and just nice, patient, and fun. I wrote up a list of where I wanted to go and when he arrived I read it off and all was fine. We went. We only went to where I had requested. It was more than worth the money, as far as I was concerned, as I was able to shop, throw bags into his van and then take off for the next place and just leave accumulated bags and other items in his van. We also went to museums and other places, like driving around to see the wall art and make stops for me to do photography. Plus, since I had a bit of stomach upset today, I was not in the mood for exploring the city by means of various taxis, public transportation, and by walking a lot which is how I usually explore cities.

When we returned to the E&O, the doorman came over to help me out of the van and asked how my day had gone. I said that it had been great and that I had had a really great driver. I was then told that Azmi's father is also a driver and was there parked at the hotel. He was then signaled over and he greeted me, with a big smile, shook my hand, and then asked how my day had gone. I mentioned that I had had a great time going around town with his son. His son pulled up beside the two of us and also joined in the conversation. His father thanked me for using his service, as from what I gathered it's a family business, and said that he was happy that I had had such a good time as they aim to please. I will use the service for getting back to the airport in the days to come.

As for the E&O, priceless. Love it and especially the new (2013) Victory Annexe. Waking up to an endless sea view is wonderful as is sitting out on my terrace, relaxing, reading the daily paper, and looking at the endless sea. Plus, guests in the Victory Annexe have the 6th floor dining room exclusively to themselves and there's a large terrace section with a great sea view. Breakfast is served on that floor as is Happy Hour. The infinity pool is also on the same floor. The dining room has been empty at breakfast as everyone is sitting outside and it's not even that crowded as those in this Annexe can also eat breakfast at Sarkies on the ground level. The price of breakfast is included in the room rate. The Happy Hour is also free and food is also provided there.

I've stayed at a lot of hotels in S.E. Asia, but this one is high on my list and I definitely plan to return as it has been incredibly relaxing. The location is great as the sea is right there, but then one is in the heart of the historic part of the city. I can see the side of the Blue Mansion from the windows in the elevator area on my floor. It's only a 5-minute walk away.

I'll hate when the time comes to check out of here. But, I can't stay forever as I have two other cities and one other country to hit before flying home in February. I can't believe that I've been gone since December. Smiles. Have a great time.

Oh, the Penang Peranakan Mansion is a must see. I was in there for at least an hour as I found it so fascinating. But, I've been totally into Peranakan culture for years.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai

Oh, as for Batu Ferringhi (sp?), I haven't been and personally have no desire to go. I've found that Georgetown is not to me like a big, busy city in the sense of other big, busy cities. It's the best of two worlds; the sea and relaxing sea views and the historical part of the city right at one's doorstep. One can choose whether to stay in and relax or go out and experience the city. I didn't even leave the hotel grounds for 3 days straight because I was tired and needed R&R. But, I feel like I am at a beach location and have never felt so rested.

Happy Travels!

zoso

I just got back from George Town 2 days ago.I loved,loved, loved the Campbell house!!
A beautiful old restored boutique hotel.In the heart of George Town.Easy Walk to everywhere.
They are rated number 1 on Trip advisor I belive!And live up to every Minuite of it!
Beautiful furnishings, bedding,5 star service,excellent breakfast full menu included, great
lunches and dinner beautiful resturant.the whole package for less than half of E and O I think.

The owners are on site! I can't say enough about the Cambell House!
I promise you will love it!Simplly Devine!

I Want to also mention the locals are so friendly in Penang! I felt very at home in the town as well.
We had a great holiday.

zoso

I was told by the locals do not swim in the water In B.F. So we didn't go at all.water very polluted.

mareeS55

E&O, in the original section with a room overlooking the straight.

We stayed there last February on our wedding anniversary as a promise to ourselves from 1973, when we stayed there in our mad, bad and dangerous days of roving around Asia on a bent penny.

Rooms in the old section are lovely. We can also recommend Hotel Puri in Melaka/Malacca if you like the idea of staying in a beautiful old Peranakan property, as we stayed there also last year.

If you like food and history, I have many more places to suggest in Asia.

mareeS55

Some further info about Penang and Georgetown, fredandgingermad

Buy a 7-day visitor bus pass. You have to go to the bus/ferry terminal, on the free Georgetown bus, and there's a little office where you may or may not have to queue, depending.

You need your passport and some ringgits (about A$7) for unlimited travel all over the parts of Penang that the buses cover. The pass will take you to Batu Ferringhi, Penang Hill, the west coast, the north-west, the airport, anywhere at the end of a public bus route.

The buses are clean and civilised. One thing about Malaysia is that it is utterly tidy and civilised, and they pride themselves on it.

If you intend to spend any extended time in Malaysia you can confidently travel by bus, but if you come from a country with a driving culture on the left-hand side of the carriageway like UK/Australia/NZ, driving is the same in Malaysia and very orderly.

You can drive confidently in Malaysia, but we are happy to take the bus.

fredandgingermad

Hey,

just thought I'd come back, in the end we stayed 3 nights in George Town (two different stays) both stays at the E&O, absolutely loved the hotel, the first two nights we were there we stayed in the Heritage Wing and the 3rd night, 5 days later in the Annex, think we preferred the Heritage Wing!
Both times we got cake and macarons as a honeymoon gift, we arrived late the first time but the second stay we arrived mid afternoon, got cocktails on arrival then 15 mins after we went up to our room the staff came up (with the cake and macarons) and sang for us!)

Loved the rose petals and the towels crafted into swans on the bed, was a very nice touch

On the Island of Penang itself we went for Hard Rock Hotel, had a really nice stay there, was nice to have relaxing time by the pool although we did have a few trips out during the day, so not completely lazy!

Kathie

I'm glad to hear you had such a fine stay at the E&O. Thanks for coming back to tell us about it.