Negeri Pulau Pinang Travel Forum

I was invited to attend a wedding in Penang Hydro Majestic Hotel. First impression was ok but hygiene standards seemed poor. There was actually a rat running around the ballroom in the middle of the dinner reception. The service crew were running around trying to catch it but failed and then the same people were serving us food. The even joked that they can make rat soup if caught. I also had birds on my breakfast table and ***ted when I left to take food. I checked out the next day immediately and booked another hotel after speaking with the GM. He mentioned that "TOO BAD, IT HAPPENS". His attitude was attrocious and failed to realise the HEALTH ISSUES associated with rats. I am so disgusted.

Can anyone tell me what can I do? I feel the hotel should not be in business anymore or at least for now until their pest issue can be solved. Is there any health ministry or tourism ministry that can help here to ensure health standards are meet? There must be a nest and not one single rat issue.

I really wonder how it gets the 4star rating?

Please help if anyone have info as to what I can do next?

I wonder where can I find a good place for an English Afternoon tea in Penang? I mean the whole work - scones, sandwiches, etc. I will be there on monday. Would either the Bellevue Hotel up on Penang Hill have it or the E&O? Any other places?

I plan to go to Cameron Highlands from Penang. I've read somewhere that there are more buses available in Butterworth than in Penang. Is it true? Is the Butterworth bus station close to the ferry terminal?

Also, anyone is interested for a VT meet on Sunday or Monday? I'll be in Penang at that time.

Hi VTers,

We've been out for local hawker food in Penang on various occasions when we visit Penang but we didn't pay attention to where there are Halal local hawker food other than Gurney Drive.

Where can we go for Halal local hawker food for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

:)
KK

Hi,

I'll be in Malaysia towards the end of October to the beginning of November and will be visiting Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Whilst there, I'm thinking about going to Penang from Kuala Lumpur in the first week of November for 3 nights but I'll only have 2 full days there (however, I could have an extra part of a day depending on the time I arrive).

Is it worth the journey from KL to Penang for a short period of time or is it better to spend more time in KL and Singapore and leave Penang for another time? ie have a 2 centre holiday rather than 3?

If it is worth the trip to Penang, there are 3 options I can take. Fly there, take a coach or take a train.

Is it better to go by train or coach?

What are the recommended companies to use? I've had a quick search and it seems that morning departures result in arrival times of around 14:00 to 15:00. This means less time in Penang.

How easy is it to catch a train or coach and would I need to book in advance? If I just turn up at the coach or train station would I be likely to get a ticket?

Is it better to fly rather than get the train/coach?

My time in Malaysia could be split as follows:

With Penang included, my time would be:

KL 5 nights
Penang 3 nights
Singapore 2 nights

Without going to Penang, my time would be:

KL 7 nights
Singapore 3 nights

OR

KL 6 nights
Singapore 4 nights

As its my first time in Malaysia, what would people suggest to make the most of my time there?

Thanks for any advice!

Hi, we are two working Malaysian Chinese citizens from Kuala Lumpur. We want to rent a condo apartment on Penang Island. Our budget is about RM600 to RM750 per month, partly or fully furnished. Preferably in the center of the island, midway between Georgetown and Bayan Lepas factory area.

Thank you.

We have been travelling to various destinations throughout SE Asia for years, but we haven't been back to Penang for at least 8 years (last time there was March 2000)....We are considering going back there soon but are curious as to whether there has been much development or change in the last 8 years. can we expect to find many different things compared to our last trip?

Vanakam, saudara-saudara dan saudari-saudari.

Its been ages since I went to Penang (last trip was in 1993). I'd like to do this - take the furnicular up to the top & then walk all the way down.

Is this possible, or am I insane for even thinking about it ? :)

Also, this Canopy Walk thing - has it re-opened, or is it still closed ?

Any nice restaurant or cafe about half-way down the hill ?

Appreciate any advice from anyone, cheers.

hi we are going to Penang in November is it easy to get budget accommodation when you are there.Most of the hotels are expensive, we are worried if we don't book we may not get something.Is it like in Bali with heaps of budget hotels,when we went Tioman we got cheap accommodation when we arrived,but don't know what it's like in Penang.Can someone recommend good,cheap hotel.thank you.

Hi

I am arriving in Penang on 8th June. All the weather forecasts I have read seem to be for rain every day. Does it rain for just a short while and then clear up. I have been to Sri Lanka where it rains a lot but then then sun comes out, is Penang the same.

Thanks in advance.

Hi VTers,

I chanced upon a write up about night markets - http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/page.cfm?name=se02f

"Some of the areas where night markets operate, from 6pm until about 10pm:

Sunday: Sungai Nibong pesta site carpark, Jalan Tengah, Bayan Baru
Monday: Jalan Relau, near Relau Agri station
Tuesday: Tanjung Bungah Integrated Market
Wednesday: Medan Angsana field, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam
Thursday: Lengkok Mahsuri, Bayan Baru
Friday: Lebuh Nipah, Lip Sin Garden
Saturday: Near SJK Wen Khai, Batu Maung, Jalan Sungai Dua"

Is this information still valid or outdated?

I am hoping to confirm if the Campbell Market night market is still operating and if so, it will be great to know further information, ie the operating hours, type of goods available, the highlight at the night markets, etc. :)

Also, would the Penang Road chendol stall be opened during the pasar malam?

Is this night market like Batu Ferringhi night market, KL Petaling Street night market or more like the small scale Bangsar night market?

Many thanks in advance for your contributions.

:) Karan

Hi,

Can anyone please recommend good+cheap hotels in Penang?

There are loads to choose from but if you can share your experience, that would be great. I am looking to spend up to 200MYR per night - could spend a bit more if the hotel is really really good

THANKS A LOT
Shan

Hi,

We are travelling to Penang end August (4 days 3 nights) and I'd love some help with booking a hotel. Previously we stayed at E and O but this time want it near the night market and nightlife. I have read many reviews and can see that everyone thinks that the Rasa Sayang is great and advice seems to be the Rasa wing is the choice, but the cheapest I can book that for is around $A315 a night and I feel that is a little too pricey when we are planning to only be there at night. So I was looking at the Parkroyal or Golden Sands. I'd like a sea facing double room and I was wondering what would be the best choice of these 2. We probably won't get time to use the pool, would like a nice bathroom and comfortable bed, which is not noisy. This an amazing site that has really helped us organize ourselves in our travels in the past and I'd like to thank all in advance for your wonderful knowledge we couldn't get elsewhere.

We are planning for a gourmet trip to Penang for our brisk walk club members. To stay true to the purpose of the club, we thought we should organize at least a walk in Penang. :D

Is it ideal to bring the brisk walk club members to visit Botanic Gardens for our morning walk at around 7am?

Where can I find the recommended route for the walk?

Is there a brisk walk club in Penang that we can contact to organize a walk with them?

Many thanks in advance for your contribution. :)

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

I was wondering if there is a bus service from the airport to Tanjung Bungah / Batu Ferrenghi.
Next month I will travel to Penang and everything must be as cheap as possible and 60 RM for a taxi is quite a lot.
Hope some of you can help??!!??!

are there any private bungalows for rent in penang hill? going there in a week. would appreciate very much if someone could give some contact info. called penang tourism but they don't know anything. many thanks.

I would like to know if the Bayview Beach Resort in Penang has got windsurfing facilities or not. If so what are the costs and if not are there other resorts that have got windsurfing facilities. Is Pengang a good windsurfing spot???

Thanks
Shani

There is a firefly sanctuary at Sungai Kerian, near Bukit Jawi Golf Resort. Does anyone know how to get there from the N-S highway? Is it worth going?

Hi all,
Can anybody give me some information of how can i get to Thailand from Penang? What bus should i take, how long and how much it'll cost? Is there any bus straight to Krabi?
thanks..

is it worth taking the trip from kl to stay overnight in penang?

I'll be in Penang for 4 days/3 nights with my fiance. Would appreciate a scheduled travel itinerary of places to visit so that we won't have to rush about and hunt from one end to the other end of Penang from one place to the other only to find out that there is some other place we could have visited in the middle. Lol.

Have already booked a hotel in Tanjung Bungah for the 3 nights.

I roughly have an idea of places to visit like Penang Hill (is it recommended?), the temples, Gurney Drive, Botanical Park etc (any other nice places?) but was also wondering if visiting the places at a specific time is better.

Plus any romantic places in Penang?

Thank you very much...

Both my fiance and I have a bad sense of direction so we'll just follow along the travel itineraries given by travellers here :)

I am in Penang for 2/3 days in May on my way from KL to Bangkok.
I arrive on the train at Butterworth.
What are the pros and cons of hiring a moror bike / motor cycle while I am there.
As always any and all tips are gratefully received.
Thanks,
Steve

i wan to ask do u know about the place that u go b4 in pulau pinang
i mean the tour guides, if u know pls add my hotmail:yipmf_cow@hotmail.com

Dear All,
does anybody has experience with the taylors around the Parkroyal hotel at Batu Ferringhi?
How is the tailor inside the hotel?
Thanks for your response!
FT

could someone please give ne any info on car hire oin penang plkease.

I have Malaysia in my plans and now I m finding a good deal for a 5* beachfront resort. So how about being there in June? Shall I enjoy the beach and sun ? It will be crowded, normal or empty? Are thunderstorms possible?
Any replies about travelling to Malaysia will be very much appreciated!

HI COULD ANY ONE TELL ME IF AND WERE I COULD BYE ED HARDY CLOTHES , SHOES ECT
THANKS

Hi, where does Star Virgo "park" in Penang (Please advise on the exact name so that I can plan my schedule)? Is there any nice shopping center nearby which we can go walk? Or is there any tourist attraction nearby? Thanks.

Hi,
I will be coming to Penang next April. A friend of mind told me that I can find Classic Honda Part in Penang. Does anyone know where I can find that part?
One more question,is there any suggestion cheap hotel in downtown (near from shopping area)? Thank you....