Penang Travel Forum

We are planning to take a group of brisk walkers for a gourmet tour to Penang. We felt that BayView Hotel is not ideal as it's probably more suitable for those who wish to be near the nightlife attractions.

During our work visit to Penang last January, we noted that there is a Red Rock Hotel near Lorong Selamat and thought it would be an ideal hotel for our group. However we couldn't find any reviews about this hotel.

I hope we could get some feedback from this forum.

Thanks,
Karan

Whilst in penang in April we went to the red rock hotel and looked at one of their standard rooms and it was quite ok. There is parking below the hotel but its right on a very busy road (McCallister I think) and the food stalls across the road was not much up to speed for variety nor did it look to clean. The price was ok I think about RM170.00 per night. In my opion the city bayview would be better as penang road is just around the corner and in walking distance to heaps of food courts.

bayview could be of better option.
red rock used to be agora hotel and is a budget motel.
i doubt it will get any better even it is just refurbished.

I do noticed ther is not much tourists are staying there.

in terms of cleaniness and safety/security,i would say bayview is far beyond better option

Have a great day and welcome to PG

I agree with seanlow the red rock has had a face lift and the views were ok but I did not really think that the place had much going for it except for the price. The room was big enough but not that roomy if you plan to stay several nights. If for one to two nights its probably ok. Another option is the citadel in penang road had a look at their standard room but was not that impressed by the size also, but parking is a breeze and its location is tops (near the top end of penang road. I last stayed at the Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel at Tanjung Bungah and it was excellent value as a room there cost 148.00 Ringett (was 128.00) and go to trip adviser to read the reviews. Its isolated so probably only good if you have transport.

Japappy & SeanLow, Thanks for your feedback.

We had this thought to arrange for the 50 odd brisk walk club members to stay at a hotel where they can find local fares easily and thus the preference for Red Rock Hotel. Gurney Drive hotels are too expensive and also, the Gurney Drive hawker fare is at tourist price.

Japappy, I agree with you the food stalls across Red Rock Hotel didn't look too clean. Having said that, Singapore's local fare was somewhat in such an environment some time back too. ;) Anyhow, for late night eating, we had been to the coffee shop at Lorong Baru and eaten at the "Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng, Ipoh Yong Tau Hoo" stall for a few times. At the same place, we have also tried some BBQ chicken, beef noodles [Tom's fav!]. :) In the day when they have their free & easy time slot, they could go to Lorong Selamat for the red hat fierce lady char koay teow. :)

When we were last in Penang in January, we visited a dance club near Bayview Hotel - MoMo and didn't notice any food court. However, when I looked online for Bayview Hotel's info, I noticed that they now have an alfresco local fare up to 2am. :) That might a draw to stay at Bayview Hotel after all. :)

Anyway, I had recently found the name of the other hotel that is off MaCallister Road - Sunway Hotel and we will be asking the tour agent to check out the availability of this hotel too.

Any feedback on Sunway Hotel at Lorong Baru? :)

Many thanks for your contributions,
Karan & Tom

Sunway hotel is more than ok compared to red rock