PARKROYAL Penang Resort

Check-in at 3 PM, but we were kept waiting indefinitely – incredibly inefficient. Each time we asked, they'd say they'd call us when the room was ready. This practice for a five-star hotel is absolutely ridiculous. I really appreciate Trip.com's proactive communication; they were far more helpful than the hotel itself. While staff offered welcome drinks in the waiting area, the lobby was stiflingly hot, feeling like it only had fans, and never cooled down. The room was dated, with a noisy air conditioner, and nowhere to hang clothes to dry. The sink water had an odd smell, and the disposable shower head turned yellow after just five minutes of use. From then on, we used filtered water from the shower for washing our faces and brushing our teeth. The hotel beach was unusable; the sand was rough and hurt our feet. The restaurant food was expensive and unappetizing. Breakfast offered a variety of dishes, but over half of them were curries or similar, which I can't even imagine tasting. Even toasting bread was a struggle; one cycle wasn't crispy enough, but two cycles burned it (even on the lowest setting). Avoid the seafood congee; it's too fishy. The room was very damp; towels wouldn't dry after a shower. The front desk exchanged laundry tokens; it was 30 RMB per wash/dry load. For drying, the left machine only had a 40-minute cycle with no time selection, which wasn't enough for a larger load of clothes. Other staff members were very friendly, but honestly, if you're looking for a beach experience, you'd be much better off at a place in Bali.

Our last hotel in Penang was in Batu Ferringhi. The hotel isn't very large, and the room facilities are a bit dated, but the experience was excellent! First, the resort layout is well-designed; despite its size, the areas are cleverly arranged, creating beautiful views at every turn. There are several swimming pools, including two for children with slides and more. Most importantly, there are staff members consistently present at the slides and by the pools to supervise and maintain order, ensuring children can play safely and securely! Breakfast was also great; although there was a queue during peak hours, the food was delicious and offered a wide variety. The beach bar also had good food, and it was lovely to relax there with the lights on at night. The best part is that the hotel has direct access to the beach and the sea! And the path from the hotel to the sea looks absolutely beautiful when lit up at night. We booked a two-story family room with a lovely balcony. The staff service was also excellent. I'm giving it five stars.

This has been our go-to hotel for our annual family trip for five years now. We hope it stays just as great in the coming years. The breakfast offers a delicious variety, and the service is excellent too.