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4.0
#27 of 123 hotels in George Town
Location
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Value
Located in the heart of Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, this hotel is a hotel with its own heritage charm while providing finest modern hotel expectations, is converted from a cluster of 15 pre-war terraces and shop-houses which spans along Hutton Lane, Transfer Road & Clarke Street. Within walking distance, the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk away from amazing heritage temples, pre-war heritage houses, churches, museum and variety of antique shops, restaurants & bars and not forgetting local hawker foods stalls.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Boutique
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Dutch, Indonesian and 2 more
Location
Corner of Jalan Hutton & Lebuh, George Town, Penang Island 10050 Malaysia
Hotel Penaga
865 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Located with easy access to the centre of Georgetown and amenities, we chose this hotel as it seemed to fit with the heritage theme of the area and we weren't disappointed. This hotel really is a step back in time with each room being decorated differently with individual furniture. We had a garden facing room with balcony. The room was beautiful and slit into two with stairs leading to a mezzanine were our beds were located. We enjoyed complimentary afternoon tea which is served daily....such a nice idea. Lots of variety for breakfast in their beautiful restaurant and we also enjoyed room service which was perfect. Enjoyed using the pool in the garden area which is a little oasis from the hustle and bustle of Georgetown. All staff we met were friendly and helpful with nothing being too much trouble. We were sorry to have to check out prior to Chinese New Year celebrations as the hotel had arranged dragon dancing and had invited all guests. If we are in Georgetown again, this will be our hotel of choice. Simply wonderful.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelPenaga2018, Sales Executive at Hotel Penaga
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Dear Lesley, Thank you for having chosen Hotel Penaga as your choice of accommodation during your recent trip to Penang. It was a pleasure having you here. First and foremost, we would like to thank you for taking the time to write us an reviews here on your experience staying with us. We are beyond glad to know that we have lived up to your expectation during your stay and you have enjoyed all the facilities and services provided by the hotel. We are pleased to note that you are happy with the service rendered by our staffs and this will be conveyed to the entire teams. We would like to let you know that we are appreciated of your support and we look forward to the pleasure of being service to you again.
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We recently spent a week at Hotel Penaga and enjoyed all aspects of our stay. Located in the buffer zone adjacent to main historic area it was a pleasant easy walk to all points of interest. The free tourist bus was located a block from the hotel on Penang Road and was ideal to visit Georgetown sites. Our suite was huge, bed was wonderfully comfortable, staff were courteous and helpful and the central garden area was pleasant to walk through back to accommodation. We selected a Transfer Suite which was on top floor and includes steps. Balcony and deck areas were great to sit and read or enjoy the hustle of Transfer Street. Breakfast was very adequate and tasty. Afternoon tea was included daily and a library and bar are available to guests. Our time at Penaga was just super and would recommend this historic hotel to those wishing to stay a little out of the tourist centre but close enough to enjoy the city.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelPenaga2018, Sales Executive at Hotel Penaga
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Dear Sue, Thank you for having chosen Hotel Penaga as your choice of accommodation during your recent trip to Penang. It was a pleasure having you here. Also, thank you for taking time to share your valuable feedback with us on your stay experience. We are certainly glad that we have lived up to your expectation during your recent stay with us. We would like to let you know that we are appreciated of your support and we look forward to the pleasure of being service to you again.
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This boutique hotel has a lot of character and makes a welcome change from staying in newer modern hotels. The old buildings have been renovated & refurbished with period style furniture, original artwork on the walls and colourful leadlights. It is located near the old town and is walking distance to all the sights. If you do not want to walk around there are bus stops for the free CAT buses, which go in both directions around the town, around the corner on Jalan Penang.
Despite all its charm, unfortunately I cannot rate this hotel a 4 star. It is only a 3 star at best.
The staff are polite, but not very helpful. When we could not get hot water in our bathroom, we told reception, but nothing was done to rectify it. During our 2 night stay it would occasionally become warm, but not hot. Of the 5 showers/baths I took whilst staying here, only 1 had warm water. The shower had an old rubber mat on the floor covering a damaged/stained base. Towels are thin & scratchy, no white/fluffy towels here.
The beds are large, but very hard. The hardest that we have experienced during our 2 week trip around Malaysia.
The breakfast is very basic. The orange juice is not juice, but orange cordial. Only 1 cereal available, 7 hot options, all but 2 are Asian foods. Eggs are cooked to order. I asked for an omelette but received scrambled. Toast and pastries are also available. Brewed tea and coffee comes from a press button machine.
It no longer has a swimming pool. It has been converted into a large koi fish pool.
The standard of this hotel is only 3 stars at best. It's only redeeming feature is the old renovated buiding and the decor. You can find much more comfortable and higher quality hotels for a similar price nearby.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was looking forward to staying at the Hotel Penaga and whilst some of the architectural and original features are lovely, the service and general upkeep of this hotel was a let down. The staff on the front reception desk were friendly and helpful. The staff in the restaurant seemed begrudging of customers. Often at least one of the coffee machines didn't work. The standard of food and selection at breakfast was poor. The spa bath in our room leaked when used. I noticed on the first day that our room door opened without the use of the key card and the batteries had to be replaced. The staff came and did this promptly. The batteries in our in room safe had to be replaced but I was told that the member of staff on reception couldn't do anything about that until another member of staff came back on duty. This took a couple of hours and I couldn't wait so had to leave it until we returned from a trip out although there were things locked in the safe that I needed such as cash. The pool area is quite tired and seems to be more of a smoking area. The spa was closed for the duration of our 5 day stay so I don't k ow what that was like. We didn't eat any meals other than breakfast at the hotel as the one occasion we came down for dinner at 8pm I was told that as they had 2 other tables with a total of 8 guests already in the restaurant, we would have to wait about 1 hour for food and that we'd be better going elsewhere. The restaurant across the road closes at 8pm or we would have gone there but as we'd been walking all day and were tired we opted for pot noodles in our room instead. We also went for breakfast at 7 or 7.30am and were the first there. After being seated I watched as the early member of staff, meant to be serving the breakfast customers was instead helping himself to the breakfast buffet, drinks and coffee. I thought that was pretty incredulous really and it's not something that I've experienced in the many other hotels we've stayed in in both Malaysia and Asia. The reproduction furniture is nice, the tiles are beautiful, it's in a great location within easy walking distance of the local attractions. Id return to George Town but I wouldn't return to the Hotel Penaga, I just left feeling disappointed and that it was a bit shabby with unhelpful staff.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Firstly, I booked the hotel for swimming pool. I wasn’t aware until I was all ready to swim, the hotel staff only told me that the swimming pool is under maintenance. Second, there is no free parking. We were required to wake up at 8am to pay for the street parking ticket to avoid saman. Thirdly, the jacuzzi was dirty and not maintained. When I turn on the power, many dirts came out from the hole and can’t be used. Fourthly, the hotel didn’t do the room clean up even though we did hang the paper on the room to do clean up. When we back in the evening, the room wasn’t clean. The staff did not apology but first blame us for not hang the paper and then told us that we need to inform the receptionist if needed clean up as they will overlook. Fifthly, the room cleaning have to improve as they did not help us to throw the beer cans we put on the table and clean the glasses we have used. They just leave it there.
The good side was the hotel upgraded us to the bigger room when we were first being put at the last dark corner room no. 24 and we requested for room changed. The hotel location is also convenient and bed is comfortable. Room is spacious too.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Street parking that you need to wake up by 8am to pay parking fee. Hotel is not responsible for...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel looks all right but in actual fact on closer observation many of the things are rundown and there are no proper maintenance of the facilities. There are stain which looks like algae on the toilet floor and the bathroom door handle is moldy. Wifi is not working and the room is not sound proof at all at least in the room we are staying (H22). Our room is directly opposite the motor repair shop and near the main road and you can hear the noise from the motor and passing cars till the wee hours of the night. The floor outside the balcony is very slippery after rain and the room shoes provided will cause you to slip more easily as they are of poor quality. It is totally unacceptable in my view and this has to be one of the worst hotel I ever stayed.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Avoid room facing the road and best to avoid this hotel.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A fantastic place for those who like the charm of an old building with wooden antiques complete with four pole bed and white sheets. Great service and strategic location within Center of City. These can more than make up for the hustle and bustle of the morning and evening traffic especially for rooms facing the main road. They provide ear plugs too.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HM_HotelPenaga, General Manager at Hotel Penaga
Responded 8 Jan 2020
Dear YingYingOH, Thanks for choosing our hotel as your accommodation throughout your trip in Penang! Again, thanks for taking your time to leave us valuable feedback. We are glad to hear that you like the charm of our hotel and the four posted bed in the rooms. We thanks for your understanding regarding the road noise as hotel location was in center of city. We hope to serve you again in near future! Have a nice day ahead! Happy New Year 2020! Thanks & Regards.
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I loved this hotel, the architecture of it is amazing and found it to feel very local and well run. The room was very comfortable and well and interestingly furnished. The pool area was also very nice to take a break from the hot weather! Breakfast was really nice although they seemed rushed off their feet with not that many guests, what we had was very nice but it could be a suggestion to have the breads, yoghurt and fruit out as a buffet for people to get as they wish and then the main breakfast served as it is now, might help the staff and also less food waste.
I also really appreciated the statement regarding their eco measures, so good and interesting to see what has been done at the hotel. Would definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel is located in the heart of Georgetown city. It comes with complimentary breakfast, jacuzzi and swimming pool. The disadvantage is no free parking for car driver. However you may park beside the street with minimum parking fee thru the app (Penang smart parking). In ❤️ deeply obsessed with the antique and homey feel of this hotel. Would suggest to my families and friends who are coming to Penang. Would come back and stay again😍
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Congested traffic in Penang 😣
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this hotel in 3rd July 2020 based on the good reviews, but it was closed (not operating) started from MCO (June 2020). Either parties (Agoda or hotel) not inform us in advanced until we have arrived and a security guide referred us to the Vouk Hotel on 1st Aug 2020. In addition, it was too late for us to book another hotel upon arrival at 4pm and forced to check into replaced Vouk hotel (under same management). It totaly ruined our holiday mood. In fact, advanced call can be made and let us to decide continue on the booking or not. However, the hotel is still opening for booking now (2 Aug) although it was closed for operation. Totally not acceptable for this kind of irresponsible hotel management.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I think that you should contact the hotel and ask them. They are very helpful and will be able to answer that question for you. Have a great holiday. The Penaga is a great place to stay.
There are more places to choose from in the George Town area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$421 - HK$514 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MalaysiaPenangPenang IslandGeorge Town
NUMBER OF ROOMS
45
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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