If you’re longing for a weekend getaway, consider jetting over to Penang. Home to UNESCO World Heritage sites and the world’s longest zip coaster, there’s no shortage of activities that are both fun and affordable. This list of the best hotels in Penang will serve as a guide on where to stay while you’re there.
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Penang International Airport is only a quick 1.5 hours away from Singapore by air. Multiple airlines fly directly, including budget airlines like Scoot, Jetstar, and AirAsia. Prices start at $94 for a roundtrip ticket.
If you have time to spare, renting a car in JB and driving directly there will take around 7.5 hours. But if you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, you can hop onto a bus from Singapore to Malaysia. The trip will take much longer, around 9-10 hours, but usually have convenient pick up and drop off locations.
You don’t have to pull out a travel itinerary planner and dedicate an entire week to the trip. Just 3 days is enough to experience everything Penang has to offer. Check out our best things to do in Penang or if you’re after something novel, read our guide on new things to do in Penang as well
Arguably the most popular area to stay, George Town is the capital city of Penang island. It’s filled with architectural gems such as historic shophouses, Peranakan mansions, as well as temples, mosques, and churches. More recently, it’s even become a seedbed for trendy cafes, boutique shops, and curated thrift stores.
If you prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, head to Batu Ferringhi for luxury beachside resorts, which you can see in more detail in our list of luxury hotels in Penang.
Butterworth is on the mainland and might not be as popular as George Town, but there are still some places worth visiting, such as the Tow Boo Kong Temple and Design Village Outlet Mall. It’s also great for those looking for cheaper accommodation and food. Plus, Penang Island is just a short drive or ferry ride away if you run out of things to do.
Here is a list of the hotels, their rates, what they’re known for, and their accessibility city amenities:
| Hotels | Region | Rate per night | Unique feature | Nearby attractions |
| Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion | George Town | From $156/night | Boutique hotel with blue facade |
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| Cititel Penang | From $81/night | Sweeping view of George Town |
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| The Frame Guesthouse | From $31/night | The Frame Guesthouse |
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| Neo+ Penang | From $43/night | Rooftop swimming pool with skyline views |
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| The Southern Boutique | From $37/night | Urbanised 20th century shophouse |
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| White Mansion Penang | From $44/night | Classy vintage vibes and bike rentals |
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| Reunion Carnarvon | From $44/night | Retro hipster decor with sauna room |
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| Brown Hotel | From $33/night | Cosy modern rooms |
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| Rope Walk Guesthouse | From $51/night | Bohemian inspired pre-war mansion |
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| M Qube Hotel | From $20/night | Futuristic capsule hotel |
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| Chariton Hotel Bagan | Butterworth | From $25/night | Minimalist design |
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| The Bagan Suite | From $37/night | Industrial-inspired decor |
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| The Light Hotel Penang | From $87.40/night | Smart TV in every room |
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Image credit: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is also known as The Blue Mansion for its iconic ultramarine blue facade. From $156/night, book a room in this historical landmark-turned-boutique hotel and unwind in its tranquil tropical courtyards.
Each room is uniquely decorated, combining modern accessories with antique furniture dating back to the 19th century. If you’re willing to splurge, you can even book a room with a private jacuzzi.
The mansion is also centrally located, giving guests convenient access to hotspots such as Chulia Street and the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery.
Cititel Penang has been a mainstay of the George Town area since 1997, and it’s easy to see why – with its central location and nightly rates that go as low as $81, it’s a value-for-money option for travellers.
Situated on Jalan Penang, it’s within walking distance of attractions such as Chinatown, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, and St. Francis Xavier’s Church. It’s also surrounded with eateries ranging from hawker food to restaurants, so you’ll have no problem keeping yourself occupied.
To top it all off, it’s one of the highest buildings in the vicinity, which means you’ll get a great view of the George Town UNESCO Heritage site from your hotel room.
From just $29/night for a twin bed room, The Frame Guesthouse has the perfect backdrop for edgy, suburban Instagram pics. Its unique brutalist aesthetic comes from leaving much of the old shophouse in its original state and embracing the peeling walls and raw surfaces.
Like its name suggests, the 3-storey building used to be home to a frame-making business, and has since been transformed into a cosy hotel with Twin Rooms, Double Rooms, and Dormitories.
Guests have also raved about the urbane courtyard pantry, which is fully equipped with snacks, drinking water, and a microwave. And if you’re in the mood to mingle, the guesthouse also boasts a communal TV lounge, a board games area, and a mini library.
Admire the sprawling city of Penang from Neo+’s luxurious rooftop deck, which features an adult pool, a kids pool, and a few sun loungers. From $51/night, you can look forward to flat screen TVs, work-desks, and complimentary Wi-Fi in each stylishly furnished room.
There’s also round-the-clock coffee and beer at their in-house bar from 11am-11pm and a 24-hour gym. Early risers can also enjoy an intercontinental breakfast, which consists of Asian and Western dishes, at the hotel’s own Lemongrass Restaurant.
If you’re looking for a little colonial elegance, look no further than The Southern Boutique Hotel, which was built back in 1924.
The hotel has a modern minimalistic vibe while still maintaining most of its classic elements. With rooms from $62/night, patronise its courtyard garden, smoking area, and a charming terrace rooftop with lounge furniture and fairy lights.
For guests who like to travel light, you can even top up for in-house laundry and dry cleaning services.
Fans of the roaring 20s and its opulent art deco style would appreciate the tasteful arch motifs and vintage decor from White Mansion Penang. From the rooms to the toilets, it truly is a sight for sore eyes.
From $48/night, each room comes fully stocked with a hair dryer, ironing equipment, and a TV. There are even bike rentals available at the front desk for those who wish to explore the pavements of Penang on 2 wheels.
The Reunion Carnarvon is every hipster’s dream, with its bold wallpaper prints and retro decor pieces. It also has a mini garden and courtyard, which is accessible from the room’s balcony.
After a long day of adventure in the city, you can also pop in for a steam sesh in its sauna room and refresh your soiled clothes via their free laundry service. From $51/night, each room comes with the usual air conditioning, hair dryer, and flat-screen TV.
While there are no in-house restaurants, you may walk across the street to Pitt Street Koay Teow Th’ng, which serves Malaysian Eel Noodle, or ChinaHouse, a collection of cafes and art shops.
Just a short 7-minute drive from Komtar, Brown Hotel is a relatively new hotel with clean and stylish interiors. From Standard Single rooms to Family Rooms, the hotel has a range of room sizes for your party to choose from.
From a modest $41/night, that’s a large flat-screen TV, personal bathroom, hair-dryer, safe, and a minibar in each room for you.
Families can also sign up for the in-house babysitting service if Mum and Dad want to take a romantic walk to George Town together.
If you’re down for a bohemian nomadic vibe, check out Rope Walk Guest House. It’s located in a heritage pre-war mansion with private bunk-bed rooms as cheap as $51/night, with tons of spots to chill and interact with other travellers.
For instance, there’s the mini game room, living room, and garden courtyard that have all been given a hippie updo.
In the mornings, there’s an in-house coffee shop that can serve you breakfast. Don’t be fooled by the laid back aesthetic, the hotel offers ample WiFi and air conditioning. Previous guests have also complimented the staff for being friendly and helpful, which has been a plus point for many travellers.
As it turns out, Tokyo isn’t the only city with futuristic space pods. M Qube Hotel is Penang’s one and only capsule hotel that allows you to check into your own “space odyssey” from as low as $24/night.
The pods come with either single beds, twin beds, or double beds, and are inclusive of air-conditioning, an Android TV, power sockets, and a personal safe. True to capsule hotels, bathrooms and pantries will be communal, but daily housekeeping makes sure that their cleanliness is top-notch.
While the pods seem great for solo travellers, M Qube Hotel also encourages families to stay over in their double or twin rooms, which can host up to 2 people each at a time. Road-trippers would also be glad to know that there is free and ample parking right next to the establishment.
Image credit: Chariton Hotel Bagan via Google Maps
Chariton Hotel Bagan is a no-frills hotel featuring clean, minimalist rooms. With rates as low as $25/night, it’s a great pick for those looking to save on accommodation.
Image credit: Chariton Hotel Bagan via Google Maps
While Chariton Hotel Bagan is on the mainland, it’s located near the ferry terminal where you can catch a ride to Penang Island, so you don’t have to worry about missing the fun of George Town.
Image credit: The Bagan Suite
Within an earshot of Chariton Hotel Bagan is The Bagan Suite, a boutique hotel with industrial-inspired decor. For $37/night, you can book a Superior Double Room that can house up to 2 people. If you’re travelling with a bigger group, you can even book a Deluxe Triple Room, which accommodates up to 6 people.
Like Chariton Hotel, The Bagan Suite is only a stone’s throw away from the ferry terminal, so getting to Penang Island is pretty convenient.
The Light Hotel Penang is located close to many attractions, such as Sunway Carnival Mall and Penang Bird Park. You’ll only have to take a quick 10-minute walk to reach those places.
Rate starts from $87.40/night for a superior room that comes with either a king or twin bed. Each room also comes with a smart TV that you can use to connect to YouTube or mirror whatever’s playing on your smartphone.
If you’re looking for a chill night in, there’s Tree@III Restobar, a bar that serves cocktails, wine, and beer to sip on. Bonus: it’s by the pool if you fancy a dip. Halal food options are aplenty in Penang but you can also enjoy a bite at The Light Hotel’s Spice Brasserie.
And there you have it. 8 best hotels in Penang that suit your needs. Next time you’re looking to plan a short getaway in Malaysia, look beyond JB and KL and check out Penang instead for a change!
For more things to do in Malaysia:
Cover image adapted from: White Mansion Penang, M Qube Hotel, Neo+ Penang, @ropewalkguesthouse.
A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. Our opinions remain our own.
Originally published on 25th August 2022. Last updated by Syahiran Sean on 12th July 2024.
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