Penang aka the Pearl Of The Orient never fails to be a return holiday spot for tourists, and rightfully so. We’ve already shown you how it’s home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, tons of delicious Penang food, and tons of things to do in Penang. But here’s another reason to visit: luxury hotels that cost way less than they do in Singapore.
With familiar names like Hilton and Shangri-La, these luxury hotels in Penang are sure worth the stay, especially since the 3.5:1 exchange rate grants you more room to splurge.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.29 as of 20th August 2024.
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Penang International Airport is only 1.5 hours away from Singapore by air. Budget airlines Scoot, Jetstar, and AirAsia have affordable tickets with prices starting from $66 for a one-way trip ticket, and $94 for a round-trip ticket.
If you have time to spare, you could rent a car in JB and drive directly to Penang, but it will take around 7.5 hours. Another flightless alternative is to hop onto a bus from Singapore to Malaysia for roughly 10.5 hours. For bus bookings and timings, you can use the redBus app (App Store | Google Play).
For those who care more about the journey than the destination, it’s possible to travel from Singapore to Penang by train. You can even zhuzh up the experience by treating yourself to a 3-night ride on the boujee Eastern & Oriental Express train to Penang.
Yes, there are many new things to do in Penang, but you don’t have to take a week’s worth of AL to explore the area. It’s actually the second smallest state in Malaysia, and you’ll find that most attractions are a quick Grab ride away. Just 2-3 days is enough to see what Penang has to offer.
The area most frequented by tourists would have to be George Town, the capital of Penang. It’s loaded with attractions such as historic shophouses, Peranakan mansions, as well as historical temples, mosques, and churches. More recently, it’s become a seedbed for trendy cafes, boutique shops, and curated thrift stores.
Butterworth is on the mainland and might not be as popular as George Town, but there are still some noteworthy attractions, such as Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest and Penang Bird Park. It’s suitable for those looking for cheaper lodging and grub. Plus, Penang Island is just a quick drive or ferry ride away.
If you’re on a tight budget, read our article on the best hotels in Penang.
Here is a list of the hotels, their rates, what they’re known for, and their accessibility to amenities:
| Hotels | Region | Rate per night | Unique feature | Nearby attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Prestige Hotel Penang | Georgetown | From S$175/night | Rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Straits of Malacca |
|
| OZO George Town Penang | From S$84/night | Sprawling city view of Penang |
| |
| Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa | From S$226/night | Plenty of affordable wellness services |
| |
| JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La | From S$147/night | Views of George Town |
| |
| PARKROYAL Penang Resort | From S$378/night | Free-flow seafood buffets |
| |
| Hard Rock Hotel Penang | From S$140/night | Direct access to swimming pool from rooms |
| |
| DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang | From S$91/night | Kid-friendly amenities |
| |
| Iconic Hotel Penang | Butterworth | From S$99.42/night | Cosy hotel for <$100/night |
|
| Sunway Hotel Subarang | From S$83/night | Within walking distance of bird park and mall |
| |
| The Light Hotel Penang | From S$99/night | Smart TV in each room |
|
Image credit: Prestige Hotel Penang
The Prestige Hotel Penang certainly lives up to its name with its opulent Victorian exterior. Located just a stone’s throw away from cultural and culinary hotspots, the hotel is a haven for travellers who seek adventure in the day and comfort at night.
Image credit: Prestige Hotel Penang
Their rooms are also clean and modern, and each one comes with one of those “rich person” glass bathrooms. From just S$175/night, you can enjoy all-day dining, an arcade centre, in-house retail outlets, and even a rooftop infinity pool. Even their fitness room has a chandelier to remind you of how boujee the place is.
Image credit: OZO George Town Penang
For a 4-star hotel with a sprawling city view of Penang, poolside bar and hot desking areas, S$83/night seems too good to be true. That’s just OZO George Town Penang for ya, which is a convenient 7 minutes walk away from both Chew Thean Yeang Aquarium and New World Park.
Image credit: OZO George Town Penang
With ample Wi-Fi and a 6000-square foot conference space to boot, this hotel is great for hosting business-casual events and company-wide retreats. You can even sign up for a buffet breakfast with a view at their in-house restaurant, EAT, on the 21st floor. Dizzying and delicious.
Image credit: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa
Penang being an island with a hill in the middle means that many hotels are located along the coast, boasting beachfront views, and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa is no exception. Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa in Singapore will set you back a heavy S$558/night with every night spent, but this resort along Batu Ferringhi Beach only costs S$226/per night.
The spa consists of 11 villas spread across 30 acres of lush greenery.
Image credit: @lucyjfrost_ via Instagram
Tucked away in a secluded corner of the resort and decked out in traditional Malay wood furnishings is Chi, The Spa. They offer massages like Stress-relieving Neck and Back massage or the Deep Tissue Massage, both costing RM378 each.
Image credit: @hoteljenpenang via Instagram
Another subsidiary of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, JEN Singapore Orchardgateway’s rooms start from a pricey S$350/night. But, their Malaysian counterpart JEN Penang Georgetown offers panoramic views of the historical George Town, Penang, and is peppered with quirky and colourful Peranakan accents, with rooms that start from only $147/night.
Image credit: @hoteljenpenang via Instagram
JEN Penang Georgetown is more than just a pretty stay with top notch facilities, they also curate tons of travel guides on their trusty blog and night guide where you can discover new experiences in Penang apart from the same ol’ crowded hotspots.
Image credit: @parkroyalpenangresort via Instagram
It comes at no surprise that a staycation at PARKROYAL can cost up to $378/night at its Pickering or Beach Road branch in Singapore. Thankfully, you get to enjoy the same luxuries for a fraction of the cost at PARKROYAL Penang Resort where a 1-night stay here starts from S$136/night.
Image credit: @parkroyalpenangresort via Instagram
We’re all familiar with PARKROYAL on Pickering’s buffet at Lime Restaurant, with everything ranging from lobsters to Asian delights. Well, their Penang counterpart is stepping up their game too, with the dining outlet Cinnamon. While buffets are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, be sure to keep your Friday and Saturday nights free for some free-flow seafood from RM168/pax.
Say the name “Hard Rock” and you’d probably be expecting a cafe or hotel decked out in Rock n Roll memorabilia. Well, Hard Rock Hotel Penang is just that – look at that fancy Fender guitar, and John Lennon poster plastered right above the bed. A night here only costs S$140/night, which is almost 3 times cheaper than its Sentosa counterpart.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotel Penang
From water slides to a poolside stage and even a swim-up bar, Hard Rock Penang’s swimming pool has got it all. Their Lagoon Deluxe rooms will even give you direct and personal access to the swimming pool right outside your room.
Image credit: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang
Mention the name “Hilton” and you’d probably be expecting an exorbitant price tag that comes along with it. But unlike having to pay a huge sum of S$471 for a 1-night stay in Hilton Singapore, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang will only cost you S$91/night – talk about value for money.
The Kid’s Club at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang.
Image credit: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang
You can look forward to modern rooms, stylish pools and even a Kid’s Club where your little ones will be kept occupied with activities like Kid Masterchef and ukulele classes.
For S$99.42/night, you wouldn’t expect a cosy room with amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, soft linen towels, and a mini-bar with complimentary soft drinks and coffee. Plus, guests also have access to their outdoor swimming pool on the 8th floor, which overlooks Butterworth. Penang is a well known food haven, but you can catch all the must-tries at the Land & Sea Buffet Dinner. Just note that it only takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Image adapted from: @iconichotelpenang via Instagram
Alternatively, there’s Crumbles & Cream, a cafe serving brunch items, drinks, and desserts. You can also catch live music performances weekly while you fuel yourself with dishes like mushroom soup (from RM18) and chicken satay (from RM20). Wash that down with a matcha latte (from RM11) made with Niki Neko Matcha, a Malaysian brand of matcha.
Iconic Hotel Penang is a 15-minute walk to Juru Auto City, an iconic tourist attraction. It’s basically a one-stop bazaar selling everything from sports cars, food, shopping, and carnival games.
For a strategic hotel near many attractions, check out Sunway Hotel Subarang Jaya. It’s just a 7-minute walk to both Penang Bird Park and Sunway Carnival Mall. It also has the cheapest rates on this list, with a deluxe twin room starting from only S$83/night, which we consider a steal for a luxury hotel.
Facilities include a spacious gym that’s open 24/7 with near floor-to-ceiling views of Butterworth and state-of-the-art equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, and weights. You can also book an airport transfer for a fee with them if you want to rest right after landing in Penang. Just note that this can be made only through contacting them.
Image credit: The Light Hotel Penang
What sets The Light Hotel Penang apart from other hotels in this price bracket is amenities you’d normally find in a luxury hotel. Plush double bedsheets, cosy tufted sofas or chairs, and a smart TV are what you’ll get in every room. As a bonus, you’ll even get a great view of Butterworth from the floor-to-ceiling windows in your room.
Image credit: The Light Hotel
Rates start from S$99/night for a superior king room. There are a range of facilities like a steam and sauna bath, gym, and even a kids playroom for your little one to muck about. If you’re looking for a chill night in, there’s Tree@III Resto Bar that serves cocktails, wine, and beer to sip on. Bonus: it’s by the pool if you also fancy a dip.
If luxury hotels in Singapore are out of reach, then try staying in one of these popular hotels in Penang that’ll give you a run for your money – especially since you’ll be experiencing the same level of luxury at a fraction of the price. Should you find these hotels fully booked, there are tons of other options such as serviced apartments as well.
For other cool things to do in Penang:
A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. Our opinions remain our own.
Cover image adapted from: Hard Rock Hotel Penang via Facebook, OZO Georgetown Penang, Double Tree Resort by Hilton Penang
Last updated by Syahiran Sean on 21st August 2024
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