Visiting Penang in April

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Hi there

We will be visiting Penang in April and I am still confused about where to stay ie which hotel to book in GT. Love the E&O but the last time we stayed there, it was such a treat that I was reluctant to leave the comfort of the hotel and explore. 

So this time I have decided to either stay at the Bayview or Traders but still couldn't make up my mind which to book. Any thoughts on this? I like Bayview because it is close to the E&O but I read horror reveiws about this hotel but then again Traders got mixed reviews too. So, I thought I will canvass for your opinions.

Cupert

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May I sugest the G Hotel on Gurney Drive. It is well located  for trips to both Georgetown and the expat living araeas of Tanjung Bungah. It is about the same price as Traders but is a lot newer and well appointed.  A taxi into Georgetown is about MYR 15 and takes 5-10mins. The bus takes 20  mins and is MYR1:50. The restaurants and food courts along Gurney drive provide life at night and Gurney Plaza is always worth a visit if only to escape the heat.
Having stayed in most of the Penang areas I now prefer the various hotels in Tanjung Bungah but that is a personal preference. Needless to say if you wish to experience the real Penang stay away form Batu Ferringhi. Nothing wrong with it as a tourist destination but that is what it is.
Cheers 

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Hi Donohue

Definitely avoiding Batu Ferringhi this time. We stayed at the Lone Pine last year and love it even though it is run down. I did think about the G hotel except that this time we want to stick to GT so that we can explore GT on foot thoroughly. Nothing like getting to know a place better when you walk and explore every nook and cranny of the town. We did that in Singapore and it was an eye-opener.

Thanks for your suggestion. So looking forward to the part of town where it is heritage listed by UNESCO. We sort of touch a bit of it as we only discovered it pretty much towards the last couple of days of our stay. 

This time I am not going to rent a car for the duration of our stay. Mr Cupert nearly had a heart attack with all the motor bikes sneaking up on you here, there and everywhere.   

Just couldn;'t do it to him again. LOL

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Traders is a bit in a grotty area. If you like boutique heritige these might be something for you:
http://clovehall.com/web/aboutus.htm
http://www.mangotreeplace.com/

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Hmmmmm! Love both place recommended. Mangotree Place is certainly 'very' affordable. Pricewise, almost on par with Traders, I think.

Any opinions about Bayview GT?

Cupert

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We stayed at Traders last month and confirm Stuurman's comments - it is a pretty grotty area, very run down, and not easy to walk about from the hotel.  Also the street facing bedrooms are across the road from some kind of all-night disco/karaoke joint and you can hear that thumping bass-line till 6 in the morning.

Only good thing to report is the Assam Laksa in the bar which was very nice - the Laksa that is, not the bar.  The bar had delusions of grandeur, if you know what I mean, and bar staff that always looked the other way when trying to attract their attention.

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Hi Papaya

Thanks for your feedback. Looks like Traders is out. I think I may stick to Bayview and book into one of their newly refurbished rooms. Bayview is located almost across from the E&O and so is a better option. At least you can get the water view. Pity about the location of the Traders.

Must remember about the ASAM laksa. Hard to find it in Sydney. I can find the coconut broth but not the ASAM.

Cheers

Cupert

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I imagine there will be plenty of places close to the Bayview to get your Assam Laksa.  Maybe someone in Penang can advise a good place near there?  To be honest I wouldn't make a special journey to the Traders just for the Laksa.

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I suppose there are plenty of eating places in Penang Road. I presume Penang Road is still called Penang Road. 

I still need to check out the whereabout of Traders or Prangin Mall. Heard so much about these two places. I have been to Queensbay Mall and the mall near Gurney Drive. I really want to rediscover the 'old' Penang but perhaps it is no more.

Visited the Hong Kong Bar where the Aussie defence force used to hang out and discovered that it was burned down but at least Jenny is still there. 

Cupert

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I suppose there are plenty of eating places in Penang Road. I presume Penang Road is still called Penang Road. 

There is a lot. Upper Penang road, the stretch going up to the E&O, has a lot of restuarants and bars. It's packed on the weekends. For a good food court try the Red Garden next to the Blue Mansion.

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Thanks, I will. What about a good spot to eat the famous Hainan chicken rice. It used to be Fatty Loh in Fettes Park but the last trip there was a huge major disappointment. 

There used to be one in Campbell street too or at least I think it is Campbell Street. LoL, this is so typical of people who likes visiting Penang. The conversation inevitably diverts to talking about food.

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Can't help you there I'm not a big fan of chicken/rice because it's basically no more then... well chicken and rice .
If you like dim sim try Thai Thong on Cintra street in my humble view the best place on the Island I found so far.

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I still need to check out the whereabout of Traders or Prangin Mall. Heard so much about these two places.

Cupert

We eventually found Prangin Mall around the back of Traders Hotel and again I'd say don't bother.  This isn't the best part of Penang or Georgetown.

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Heeelllppp! Mr Cupert does not want to stay at Bayview. Says that he is worried about sprinkling system not working because of the renovation going on and the aged of the hotel. Doesn't like the idea of staying in the newly refurbished part - 14th and 15th floor in case of the outbreak of fire and it is too far to the ground. 

How far is Clover Hall or Mango Tree Place to GT cbd? Which is more central?

Thanks

Cupert

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What about a good spot to eat the famous Hainan chicken rice. It used to be Fatty Loh in Fettes Park but the last trip there was a huge major disappointment. 

There used to be one in Campbell street too or at least I think it is Campbell Street. LoL, this is so typical of people who likes visiting Penang. The conversation inevitably diverts to talking about food.

http://www.penang-online.com/pages/penang-hawker-food/food-at-cintra-street.php
For a typical Hainan Chicken rice we go to Wen Chang on Cintra St as the folks are real Hainanese (not the pseudo Hainanese  No AC just fans. Best go before 12 or after2pm to avoid the huge lunch crowd. Prices are very reasonable Usually we ordered a half chicken combination of the 'boiled' and the 'roasted' as I like the 'boiled' and MrBB likes the 'roasted', the meal comes with 2 clear soup and 2 bowls of rice....about Rm14 for us two!! You can also order the homemade chicken sausage and soya eggs as side dishes and drinks .

BB