4 Awesome Reasons Why You Should Book A Penang Trip

Travelers often try to look for places people wouldn’t normally go to on a trip. A place like Liechtenstein, Tonga, East Timor or Bhutan. Some people even had to Google search “uncommon places to travel to” for them to know that these places do exist. However, a lot of globetrotters don’t realise that while making a trip out of that uncommon places list is certainly thrilling, there are still much of the common cities we travel to that have not been as explored as the rest of its home country. And in this article, we are going to talk about Penang.

Penang has been dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and true enough,walking around the island feels like living in the past. Of course, the only thing that seems to penetrate this historic vibe and bubble are the many contemporary shops, sites, and Penang accommodation that are meshing well with Penang’s traditional personality. It would be unwise to neglect the island’s natural surroundings like their palm-fringed beaches, quaint fishing villages, and thickly forested mountains.

If that doesn’t entice you enough to visit the island, here are a couple of things you can look forward to on your visit.

Art walk along Georgetown

Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian artist, started painting murals around Georgetown in 2012 for one of the city’s festivals. Since then, it has become widely popular among locals in Malaysia and tourists. Each mural depicts the everyday life of a Penangite, and are painted on the walls of old buildings along Georgetown.

Visit the smallest national park

At only 2300 hectares, the Teluk Bahang is the world’s smallest national park. However, don’t let that title fool you, it’s actually a really good place to trek. In fact, it’s a favourite among couples; when they can go up the terrain and have romantic walk to get to the exotic turtle sanctuary, monkey beach, even pools!

If there’s one thing you need to remember on your Penang trip, it’s that the island is a complete food haven At every turn there are restaurants, hole-in-the-wall spots, cafes, and hawkers just ready to be visited. You can taste local dishes like Assam Laksa, Prawn Mee, Char Kway Teow, and more. That is going to leave you food comatosed in your hotel at Penang.

Get yourselves on the beach

The city might be too busy for your tastes; not to worry, though, because you can always escape to Batu Ferringhi beach. As far as beaches go, Batu Ferringhi is a paradise. Imagine a white-sand beach, fringed with palm trees, and a view of the turquoise waters of the sea. You can choose to go for a leisurely stroll, a fun swim, or be daring with water activities.

There are still a hundred more reasons for you to come visit Penang. But you know what? It’s better experienced than read. So go on and pack those bags, you’re going to have one helluva time!

Amazing Shopping Sites in Penang

George Town is known for its rich history, the local delicacies served in countless hawker stalls, and amazing hotels in Penang, Malaysia that offer unique accommodations bound in culture and tradition. Penang has so much to offer that it really isn’t surprising to know that it is one of the biggest shopping destinations in Malaysia.

Shopaholics everywhere can find shopping centres, stalls, and street markets that offer bargains they wouldn’t be able to resist. So here we list down some of the best places you can visit to get the best deals in your purchases.

1st Avenue Mall
Located at the George Town city centre, 1st Avenue Mall is one of the stylish malls in Penang. It offers all kinds of fashion, entertainment, leisure, and dining outlets available for travellers looking for the perfect place to have a good time. When you go to 1st Avenue Mall, be sure to visit the 8th floor where you can be treated to a panoramic view of the city of George Town.

Little Penang Street Market
Little Penang Street Market is the first street market to offer unique Penang only items, delicacies, and more. It happens at the Upper Penang Road every last Sunday of the month, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Not only are shoppers offered local products, but they are also entertained with live performances and even book readings.

Prangin Mall
Considered to be the largest and the most popular shopping mall situated right at the heart of George Town. It is the preferred shopping destination of a lot of locals and tourists not just because of its size, but also because it is known to be the “bargain hunter’s paradise”. It offers a lot of retails outlets and dining options, it even has a cinema so that kids can enjoy their day while their parents are shopping.

Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Batu Ferringhi Night Market is the perfect place for shoppers who are looking to buy products of many different varieties. The market has about 100 stalls available, stretching up to a kilometre in Batu Ferringhi. Get ready to haggle as the night market sells everything from clothes, artworks, and food.

If you are planning to spend the whole day on your feet shopping to your heart’s content, you will need a Penang hotel where you can end a tiring day with your feet up on a comfortable mattress, relaxing and unwinding. The Royale Bintang Penang offers rooms that boast high quality amenities to make sure your stay will be serene and soothing.

So get those purses ready and travel to Penang. Have a happy bargain hunt!

4 Best Hawker Centres in Penang

Penang, Malaysia is known for the preserved history and culture you can see and experience in every step in the city. But more than its Old-World glamour, the place is also known for its unique Penang accommodation, must-visit spots, and more importantly, popular food destinations.

Oh, Penang has some of the best food finds in Malaysia, and it’s all thanks to the hawker centres that you can find everywhere in the city. Here we list down some of the go-to hawker centres you can visit on your Penang holiday trip.

Lorong Baru (New Lane) Hawker Centre
Everyday, at 4:00 in the afternoon, the streets of Lorong Baru in George Town is closed off for pushcarts and stalls and becomes an outdoor hawker food centre. You will be sitting on colourful plastic chairs and tables by the road, and eat some of the best delicacies that can only be found here. A popular dish is the char kway teow which is a flat rice noodle with prawns and chili, and the chee cheong fun which are rice noodle rolls.

Long Beach Food Court
Long Beach Food Court is probably the most popular food place in Penang. It offers a variety of local and international dishes that will surely leave you wanting for more. You will find local delicacies such as satay, char kway teow, spicy curry chee cheong fun, and more. You can also find other favourite dishes like Japanese tepanyaki and pizza. There is always something for every taste bud here.

Gurney Drive Hawker Stalls
One of the most popular hawker sites in Penang, Gurney Drive hawker stalls offer the biggest variety of street food. It is the best place for food enthusiasts to get a taste of the local cuisine. If you are going to visit Gurney Drive, try out the char koay kak, a local dish made up of stir-fried bean sprouts and white radish, with chili, egg, and pork. But be ready to move through a cramped space since the Gurney Drive has more of a cafeteria style dining.

Lebuh Presgrave Hawker Stalls
Not a lot of people are familiar with the stretch of hawker stalls at Lebuh Presgrave, for the longest time, it has been a well-kept secret among locals. But slowly, it is gaining audience from foreign tourists. The tastiest dishes is found in Lebuh Presgrave, and if you’re fond of delicious late night meals, this is definitely the place for you. You must try the famous bowl of prawn noodles from 88 Hokkien Mee with an add-on of chili for that added kick. Other dishes you should check out are wantan mee, fried oysters, and lor bak.

After a full day’s worth of eating and drinking with friends, you will need a hotel in Penang that offers a comfortable place for you to relax and unwind. The Royale Bintang Penang has a unique blend of old-world glamour and contemporary amenities that provide guests with a charming holiday accommodation.

What are you waiting for? Get those eating pants out of the closet and head on over to Penang for a food trip of a lifetime.

Destinations that make Penang, Malaysia Enchanting

There’s something magical about the island of Penang. It’s located where the great kingdoms of Asia meet the colonial empires of Europe. Today it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Malaysia, perfectly mixing culture and heritage with modern and urban magnificence. Yet Penang also provides palm-fringed beaches and mountainous jungles that show the exoticism the island can offer. So if you’re planning to go to the island, look for more than just the best in Penang accommodation, take a look at the sites that make the place enchanting. To help, we’ve listed down places you must visit on your vacation in Penang.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Cheong Fatt Tze came from a poor family living in Guangdong Province in the South of China. When the Second Opium War broke out, he left China and went to Southeast Asia. He was a water-carrier then shopkeeper in Jakarta before starting a trading company with the help of his father-in-law. He expanded his business from Jakarta to Medan, and then finally to Penang, Malaysia. Here he built the Cheong Fatt Tze Manzion, or what is fondly called the Blue Mansion. It was built in 1880 and has 38 rooms, 220 windows, and 5 courtyards paved with granite. The mansion features Gothic louvre windows, stained glass panels, and beautiful traditional Chinese style architecture.

Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple

The Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple is the only Burmese temple in Malaysia. In 1988, it was designated as one of Penang state’s historical sites to be preserved as an attraction. It’s made up of a main shrine hall, dining hall, monk’s quarters, library, and a lecture hall. The walkways are lined with panel paintings on the life of Buddha where the characters are dressed in colourful Burmese costume. The temple is managed by a Chief Monk who is responsible for facilitating the practice of Buddhism in the temple.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, the Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, and the most famous temple in Penang. It was built in 1890 by an immigrant Chinese Buddhist and remains to be the foundation of the relationship between the Malay and Chinese communities who provided the funding to finish the 20-year construction of the Kek Lok Si.

Khoo Kongsi

Kongsi’s were built in Penang in the 19th century by immigrant Chinese clan members so that they could band together, represent their social and spiritual commitments, and as a symbol of their solidarity. The Khoo Khongsi has been around for more or less 650 years and is part of the goh tai seh (five big clans) and is the most famous clan house in Penang. Today, clan houses serve as a means for educating the children of members, settle disputes, and advance loans.

These are among the spots you can visit to get to know Penang island and its history a little better. Conveniently, they can all be found in George Town, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the multicultural capital of Penang. But going deep into Penang’s culture may also be experienced leisurely with Penang hotel promotions and their affordable accommodation. So, for added comfort and expedience, check out Hotel Sentral Seaview Penang, a Penang business hotel that is centrally located at the heart of George Town city. This way you won’t have to worry about getting to these amazing spots, you’ll just be a few minutes away from them.

What are you waiting for? The amazing island of Penang awaits!

Eastin Hotel Penang Upgrades Website to Accept Direct Bookings

Penang, Malaysia – In addition to providing travelers with excellent comforts and conveniences, Eastin Hotel Penang has recently integrated onto its website an online reservation system to allow guests to make direct reservations and get instant confirmation.

Benefits of Booking Direct Online
1. Powered by DirectWithHotels, the booking engine of this Penang hotel at http://www.eastin.com/pg lets guests book rooms easily using their smartphones and tablets.
2. The booking engine displays the rates of each room available in real time.
3. Special promos, last-minute offers, and limited deals and packages are available on the new booking engine.
4. All transactions are secured by Trustwave and DigiCert, effectively protecting all information shared on the site.
5. Guests can modify and cancel reservations using the same booking engine. This could be free of charge for a limited period, depending on Eastin Hotel's current promos and policies.

Simple 4-Step Booking Process
1. Log on to Eastin Hotel Penang's website at http://www.eastin.com/pg. Interested parties need to input their desired travel dates on the calendar section on the left side before clicking "Submit" to launch the booking system.
2. Choose from the list of available promos as well as type and number of rooms. Guests can select their preferred accommodation type from the list of available rooms and their rates. These are shown together with important details, like amenities, price inclusions, and hotel policies.
3. Click on "Reserve Now" to confirm reservation.
4. Fill out the personal information section and provide valid credit card details. The required prepayment, if any, must be settled via credit card. When the payment has been received by the booking system, guests will receive an email, reporting that the reservation has been made.

More About Eastin Hotel Penang
While other hotels present just the usual offerings, this hotel in Penang brings the guest experience a notch higher by providing spaces perfect not only for business but also for leisure.

Each room at Eastin Hotel in Penang has LCD TV, high-speed Internet connection, coffee and tea, IDD phone, closet, desk, ironing implements, and hot and cold shower. The hotel has leisure and dining options, function venues for social and corporate affairs, as well as a spa that offers massages, manicure, and pedicure services. Facilities include a gym, swimming pool, parking, limousine service, and 24-hour in-room dining.


Eastin Hotel Penang
1 Solok Bayan Indah, Queensbay
Bayan Lepas, Penang, 11900
Malaysia

Phone Number: +60-04-6121111

Colonial Architecture, Various Suites, Restaurants, and Other Great Things About The Royale Bintang Penang

Buying airline tickets, figuring out itineraries and finding the perfect hotel in Penang, Malaysia for a vacation is no easy task. Travelers know that preparing for a trip takes a lot of work and patience. So if you have the luxury of time and finances, go all out and stay at The Royale Bintang Penang, one of the classiest hotels in Penang.

Here are some fast facts about The Royale Bintang Penang:

1. Part of this 4-star business hotel is a beautifully restored heritage building built in 1892. It features a British Colonial architecture to keep in touch with George Town's UNESCO World Heritage status.

2. Inside, there are various room types to choose from; the Superior and Deluxe rooms, plus the Junior, Family, Studio, and Corner suites. Also available are the Deluxe, Penang, Royal, and Premier suites. These guestrooms vary in size and main décor, but all have spacious interiors, each one has been designed to provide you with a serene and relaxing stay.

3. As for the amenities, each room presents top-grade mattresses and linens, wireless Internet, TV with ASTRO channels, and a private toilet with rain shower, bathrobe, toiletries, and hair dryer. There's also an IDD phone, safe, iron and ironing board, shavers outlet, mini-bar, coffee and tea maker, and a complimentary supply of bottled water.

4. This Penang hotel is also proud of its array of dining and leisure facilities. There's the Sri Tanjung Cafe, where every visit is a culinary journey. Spend quiet and lovely afternoons enjoying exclusive tea blends and delicious buttered scones in the Tea Room. There's also a poolside bar, a breezy dining area called The Spice, the posh Blue Moon Bar, and cigar lounge styled after a British Gentlemen’s Club.

5. Get some much desired pampering in the The Royale Spa. It has 5 well-appointed treatment rooms, plus a swimming pool and wading pool for the kids. There's also an outdoor jacuzzi and sun loungers on level 2 where you can laze the day away without worries.

6. Royale Bintang Penang is also a venue for business functions and other social events. It has a ballroom that can accommodate 320 guests in a sit-down setting, and up to 450 for a cocktail event. On the other hand, the spacious Boustead Halls are a popular setting for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and other occasions. You can also book 4 smaller meeting rooms and a business center if need be.

7. Use to your advantage an array of reliable services that includes a concierge, 24-hour room service, wake-up call, luggage storage, doctor-on-call, airline and ticketing desk, as well as laundry and dry cleaning.

8. The Royale Bintang Penang is located at the Weld Quay area which is just minutes from the city's most famous banking and shopping district. You can also visit these places near this hotel in Penang, Malaysia: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Fort Cornwallis, Penang Street Art, and Gurney Drive.