Penang Hotels

Penang

Penang is an island in the Straits of Malacca 8 km off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is a favourite place for tourists with its rich multicultural history full of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences. The city has many quaint pre-Second World War houses, as well as 19th century churches, temples, mosques, and colonial buildings. Georgetown has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The island's best beaches are on the northern side, particularly Batu Ferringhi Penang, with its luxurious hotels & restaurants. Penang is also well known for being a "food paradise" of Malaysia.

Penang was part of the Malay state of Kedah until 1786, when Captain Francis Light built a fort at the site of present-day Georgetown and managed to have the island conceded to the British East India Company. The capital, Georgetown, was named after King George III of Great Britain. The British made the island a tax free port to encourage trade and commerce and it worked! Penang grew rapidly in economy and population. Today, the cargo trade has largely shifted down to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore since Penang lost its free-port status in 1969, but now makes a good living off Penang tourism and electronics factories. Today, Penang has the highest population density in Malaysia and is the only state where the ethnic Chinese are the majority. Penang state is the third-largest economy amongst the states of Malaysia, after Selangor and Johor.

Penang Hotels

Georgetown's larger hotels tend to be restored colonial buildings and cater to the business market. There are a few classical luxury hotels in Penang (eg Eastern & Oriental Hotel), however, most of Penang's mid to luxury hotels are in the main tourist beach of Batu Feringghi Penang. The best hotels penang are the newest hotels as the beach hotels are the oldest seaside resorts in Malaysia however most have been renovated and are relatively affordable during off-peak.

Budget Hotels in Penang and backpacker accommodation is located in Georgetown along Lebuh Leith and Lebuh Chulia.

Penang Nightlife and Entertainment

Georgetown has many pubs especially on Lebuh Leith (or Leith Street).

Beach hotels at Batu Feringghi have some nightlife (Modestos at Paradise Sandy Bay, Beers at Parkroyal Hotel).

The waterfront, on Gurney Drive, has many bars & restaurants.

Penang Shopping

Jalan Penang (or Penang Road) is the main shopping street with modern shopping malls and ends at the KOMTAR tower shopping complex. Chowrasta market (on Jalan Penang) specializes in cotton and silk as well as food. Another modern mall is Midlands Shopping Mall on Jalan Kelawei.

Chinatown is located in the center of Georgetown. In the crowded and colourful network of streets and alleyways Chinese merchants sell their goods from the ground floor of quaint century-old shophouses. Chinatown is great place to visit day or night where shoppers will find copies of branded goods, CDs that haven’t been released yet and many interesting shops. Shoppers can test their bargaining skills. The main street of Chinatown is Lebuh Chulia.