5-Star Hotels in Penang, Malaysia

I visited Penang a few months ago, and three months later, I returned and stayed at this hotel. A few days before check-in, the hotel staff sent all the relevant information via WhatsApp, which was very clear. We took a Grab from Penang Airport and arrived at the hotel in the early morning. We picked up our room cards at the front desk in the hotel lobby. The hotel looked beautiful and impressive from the outside. We stayed for four nights on the 30th floor. Upon entering, the room felt spacious and comfortable, and being on a high floor, the view was very open. Although there was no bottled water provided in the room, there was a water dispenser, which solved the issue of drinking water. Character-themed tableware was also provided. However, there was a broom and dustpan set placed in the center of the room, which felt a bit odd. As for the not-so-good aspects, some areas weren't clean enough, so we had to clean them ourselves. The hotel did not provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, or even disposable slippers; only a pair of non-disposable plastic slippers were available. So, for those who need disposable slippers, be sure to bring your own.

Had a really enjoyable staycation. The room was comfortable and just right for 4 people. Towels, iron, pillows, mineral water, coffee... all the basic amenities were fine. The bathtub and toilet were clean. However, upon checking in, as soon as I opened the door, the room had a stale smell. Perhaps it was because of showering in the room, making it a bit wet and damp. The hotel also gave a special warning about Charlie ants. The air conditioning was extremely cold. The TV channels were acceptable. The staff at the front desk were very friendly. Both check-in and check-out were smooth. I was able to check in 15 minutes early and check out an hour late, which was great. There were so many choices for breakfast, I was very happy. The famous Natrah Nasi Kandar is just a 2-minute walk away. Parking felt safe. Overall, it was excellent.

I had a really wonderful stay at this hotel. The room was clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and everything was exactly as expected. The location was also very convenient, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. The staff were friendly, helpful, and always willing to assist whenever needed. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay here. The atmosphere was pleasant, the service was great, and I felt very comfortable throughout my stay. I would definitely recommend this hotel to friends and family

The resort rooms are quite spacious, with windows directly facing the sea. The highlight of Angsana Teluk Bahang, Penang is the outdoor infinity pool on the third floor. I went swimming every day, and the sunsets in the evening were beautiful for photos. The beach down from the hotel is very quiet and the water is clean, feeling much better than the nearby Ferringhi Beach. It's very convenient to get to the National Park, and you can walk or take a Grab to Teluk Bahang nearby for food. The prices are good, Sweet Home No.2 near the park is great, and Da Dong Seafood is also good.

PARKROYAL Penang Resort is well-known for its breakfast. We stayed for two days; we couldn't wake up in time on the first day, but we made sure to set an alarm for the second day. Indeed, there was a wide variety and the quality was quite good. Although the hotel isn't as massive as some other resort hotels, the facilities are quite complete and the ecosystem is fantastic—we saw squirrels, monkeys, and all kinds of birds. The service attitude was also exceptional. I had a mix-up and accidentally selected cash on delivery for my Grab order, but I didn't have any cash on me. I ended up asking a staff member for help, and he was just so kind! I'm so grateful! There is a huge swing in the hotel; swinging on it while listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore was incredibly therapeutic. In the evening, you can take a walk to the nearby beach where there are fire-dancing performances and plenty of beachside shops where you can eat while watching the show.

The hotel's public areas are quite good, much better than Parkroyal. It felt very clean walking around inside, especially compared to the dusty streets outside, it was definitely a pleasant contrast. However, by the time I arrived to check in, it was already 3:40 PM. After completing the check-in process, the South Asian front desk attendant said there were no rooms available and I'd have to wait. When I asked how long, he couldn't give a clear answer, and when I asked if it could be done within half an hour, he still said he wasn't sure. I pointed out that the check-in time was 3 PM and not having a room was unreasonable. There was no apology or offer of compensation either. They just directed me to the lounge, where there were some small pastries and desserts (very limited selection), and they didn't even pour a glass of water. My flight was delayed by an hour, and then the Grab ride took another five or six hours, so I was extremely tired. Not being able to check in was really infuriating. While walking around the public area, I suddenly thought of contacting the platform's customer service. The customer service representative understood the situation and immediately helped resolve it. Less than two minutes after I returned to the lounge from contacting customer service, the front desk informed me that a room was available. Thank you, Trip.com customer service representative! Still, I'm quite speechless about the hotel's conduct. Moreover, when we entered, there was another pair of Chinese ladies waiting there, and when we left, it seemed they still hadn't been attended to. (I wonder if it's just a coincidence that only Chinese guests were made to wait, or if it was intentional.)

⭐⭐⭐ A hotel with potential, but far from 5-star standards. ✅ Positive Points: The welcome and check-in experience were very pleasant. We were even able to access our room at 12 PM instead of 3 PM, which was greatly appreciated. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the breakfast was good, and the bed was comfortable. 🔸 Neutral Point: The hotel is currently undergoing renovations, with approximately 60% of the property affected. The renovation work was clearly communicated by the hotel and did not impact our stay. This transparency is appreciated. ❌ Negative Points: Unfortunately, the property is still far from meeting the standards expected of a 5-star hotel. Rooms: The rooms are in significant need of renovation. In their current condition, they feel more like those of a 4-star hotel. Hopefully, this will improve once the ongoing renovations are completed. Services: This was probably the biggest disappointment. Many services normally expected from a 5-star hotel are simply unavailable: * The bar only opens at 11 AM and closes relatively early. * No minibar in the rooms. * No room service. * No possibility of ordering even a simple drink, such as a Coca-Cola, during the night. * No laundry service. Facilities and Maintenance: Once again, the overall standard feels closer to that of a 3- or 4-star property: * Pool sun loungers with holes and visible damage. * Bath towels with holes. * Visible signs of dampness and moisture. * Average cleanliness and maintenance of common areas. * A beach area that appears neglected and poorly maintained. ⭐ Overall Conclusion: The hotel does have some positive aspects, particularly its friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere, and good breakfast. The ongoing renovations are also encouraging. However, the main issue is not simply the condition of the rooms. It is the overall lack of services and maintenance that falls significantly short of what guests should expect from a 5-star hotel. At present, I would rate the overall experience as closer to a 3- or 4-star hotel, despite its official 5-star classification. I hope the renovations will not only improve the facilities but also lead to a significant upgrade in service quality, allowing the hotel to genuinely meet 5-star standards.

I was pleasantly surprised when the staff welcomed me back during check-in with a warm “Welcome back!” I’m not sure if they genuinely remembered me, but hearing those words made me feel good and gave me a sense of being welcomed back. What I appreciate even more is that the hotel seems to listen to guests’ feedback and take steps to improve. During my previous stay, I mentioned that the bedsheets had a noticeable smell. On this return visit, I was happy to find that the issue had been addressed. I truly appreciate the improvement! To me, a great hotel is not just about providing comfortable accommodation, but also about being willing to listen, learn, and continuously improve based on guests’ feedback. These thoughtful efforts make a difference and give me more reasons to return. Keep up the good work! I look forward to staying here again.

Had a wonderful stay at G Hotel Gurney! The location is excellent, right next to Gurney Plaza and very convenient for shopping and dining. The room was clean, spacious, comfortable, and well maintained. The staff were friendly, professional, and very helpful throughout our stay. Check-in and check-out were smooth, and the overall service was excellent. We stayed here with our family and really enjoyed the experience. Definitely one of the best hotels to stay in Penang. Would happily stay here again and highly recommend it!

Overall, we had a great stay! The hotel was very comfortable, and the foreign staff were really friendly and welcoming. The dining area was big and comfortable, and the food was delicious. No issues at all with the food or dining area. The only downside was that the toilet in our room had a bit of a bad smell, and there was some leaking around the toilet. The receptionist could also be a little friendlier. But overall, we enjoyed our stay and would definitely come back again!