Hotels in Penang - Make it a Beach holiday

Malaysia, with her many islands and resorts, offers much for beach holidays.

Penang, the Pearl of the Orient, is most popular with its long stretch of sandy beach, plenty of food choices and lots of interesting charming places to visit, including Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Snake Temple, museums, the latest being the Toy Museum believed to be the largest of its kind in Asia showcasing toys from different genres - anime, Hong Kong movie stars, horror, science fiction, fantasy and others. While in Penang, Gurney Drive is not to be missed. Here you would be able to catch beautiful sunsets and enjoy some of the island's best hawker food.

When it comes to accommodations in Penang, you will be spoilt for choice. Just along the Batu Ferringhi stretch of sun, sea, and sand alone, you will find the best hotels and resorts in Penang.

Below is a list of hotels courtesy of The Star's article, Fun in the Sun

The Lone Pine Hotel - 604-8811511
97, Jalan Batu Feringghi, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang

The Lone Pine Hotel is the very first hotel on this stretch of beach, this boutique hotel was established in 1948 and has since been providing its guests an Old World charm, beautiful sunsets and an unobtrusive view of the sea, shaded by tall Casuarina trees.

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La - 604-8811811
Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11101, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang

This resort is home to the award-winning and only authentic Italian trattoria on the island, Peppino, and a number of lounges and bars for guests to while away the time after a long trek around the island. It also has a family entertainment centre called Adventure Zone.

Bayview Beach Resort Penang - 604-8812123
Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100, Batu Feringhi, Pulau Pinang


Overlooking the scenic bay of Batu Ferringhi is Bayview Beach Resort. It is well-known for its service and its numerous restaurants, such as La Veranda Coffee House, which is famous for its local cuisine and extensive menu of western favourites; the Mistral Euro-Oriental Restaurant that offers nouveau Euro-Oriental creations and good grill selection; and not forgetting the Kelapa Coffee & Wi-fi Bar delightfully situated within its beautifully landscaped gardens.










Holiday Inn Resort Penang - 604-8811601
No. 72, 11100, Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang

Here’s an open secret: this is the only resort that offers children “kidsuites” which are based on three themes: Adventurous Jungle Escapade, Robinson Crusoe’s Treasure Island and Out of Space. Holiday Inn is also closest to the night markets, shops and restaurants along Batu Ferringhi.

Hydro Majestic Hotel - 604-8905999
Jalan Low Yat, Batu Ferringhi, 11102, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang

Just to unwind or to enjoy a quiet weekend with the family, opt for this hotel which offers great food and a non-guided jungle trekking that is just a stone’s throw away from the hotel. Like other hotels on the scenic Batu Ferringhi beach, it also offers a beautiful view of the sea, especially in the evenings.

Park Royal Penang
Centrally located on the scenic Batu Ferringhi beach, Parkroyal Penang has great service with typical Malaysian hospitality thrown in for good measure. If food is your main objective, try out the ever-popular Tiffi ns Restaurant and Cool Banana, the poolside café and to unwind, the Sunset Bar and Javana Lounge.

Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa - 604-8811811
Batu Ferringhi Beach Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang


This resort offers more than just a bed> It offers a luxury retreat with exclusive touches and butler service that is unique in this region. It sits on 13ha of lush gardens, majestic ancient rain trees and offers lots of privacy.

Sri Sayang Resort Apartments
This is a viable option for big families and each apartment comes with sea view. The beach is only a three-minute walk away. Food outlets are also available at the resort for the convenience of its guests, besides amenities such as a tennis court, swimming pool and water sport facilities for wind surfing and jet-skiing.

Paradise Sandy Beach Resort - 604-8999999
Blok 527, Jln Tanjung Bungah, 11200, Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang

Only 15 minutes away from GeorgeTown, this beach hotel is the place to be if you plan to indulge in sea activities, such as sailing a catamaran, parasailing or even jet-skiing besides the many land activities that can be arranged by the hotel. Beach games and pool games for children are also organised, especially during the school holidays.

Copthorne Orchid Hotel - 604-8923333
Jalan Tanjong Bungah, Hotel Orchid, 11200, Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang

If peace and quiet is what you seek, then this is perhaps one of the best hotels by the beach. It is on a secluded and sheltered beach, away from the maddening crowd and noise. Enjoy the sea and the sun and indulge in the hotel’s great spa services.

If a nice and clean bed and decent bath facilities are what you require, you may want to check out Tune Hotel which opened on April 1 (a few days ago). Tune Hotel is run by Air Asia, Malaysia's budget airline.

Touted as a “5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price”, Tune Hotel is located along Burmah Road, downtown Penang, next to New World Park and within 5 mins drive to Komtar and all the heritage sites in George Town.


Batu Ferringhi runs along the northside of Penang Island. Below is a Google map of the location of Batu Ferringhi for your reference:


View Larger Map


Source: The Star

Malaysia's National Heritage Buildings

Three historical buildings in Malacca have been designated as part of the country's national heritage. This move is to better protect the state's rich past. There is a plan to include more historical buildings as national heritage.

The three buildings are 18th century houses of worship in Malacca – Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple (1781), Kampung Keling Mosque (1748), the Stadthuys and Christ Church (1641 to 1753). These are among ten buildings listed as national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005.

Source: The Star..Malacca lauds heritage move

KTM starts Seremban-KL train shuttle

Many people commute to work from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur. By road, this commute takes between 45 minutes to one hour. Due to popular demand, train service between these two cities will begin Feb 17. Below are details from The Star:

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) start shuttle train services from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur from Feb 17 due to heavy demand for that route.

The shuttle will run from Monday to Friday, five times daily, KTM said in a statement on Saturday.

The shuttle will leave Seremban at 6.55am, 10.15am, 1.35pm, 4.55pm and 8.35pm and stop at Kajang and Kuala Lumpur Central only.

The shuttle will leave Kuala Lumpur Station at 8.06am, 11.26am, 2.46pm, 6.06pm and 9.45pm

Ticket prices range from RM1 to RM 6.10 and can be bought at any Intercity KTM station and KTM stations at Seremban, Kajang, Kuala Lumpur Central and Kuala Lumpur Station.

For further information, call KTM at 03-22671200.

Happy Valentine's Day

Rare birds flocking to varsity in Terengganu

If you are a bird-watcher or someone who is a nature-lover, you might be happy to know that Terengganu plays host to many species of birds. Of late, rare birds have been spotted in the vicinity of the varsity in Terengganu.














A purple heron flying around — Pictures courtesy of Anuar Abdullah McAfee - NST

Where to go in Kuala Lumpur/Damansara

If you are in KL/Damansara and is wondering about where to have a satisfying meal or some leisure, why not head on down to The Curve where the atmosphere is nice and the food delicious.


From watching a movie to bowling to meals and after drinks, The Curve has it all with its cineplexes, bowling alley, shopping at MetroJaya or for IT stuff, dining at Tony Roma's, Thai Express or Bubba Gump Shrimp Co or TGIF and then relaxing with a cool Paulaner beer at Bavarian Bierhaus.



Source: The Star...Weekend at The Curve

MAS super low fares are back

Are you planning a holiday this year? Then you might be lucky enough to travel on MAS at their super low fares to many countries around the world. Check out below.

The Star reported:
Malaysia Airlines all-inclusive low fares are back with tickets to Britain and Europe up for grabs.

From Feb 2 to 15, a one-way trip to London starts from RM1,450 while flights to Frankfurt, Rome and Stockholm are going as low as RM1,500 one-way.

“We are delighted to extend our low fares to Britain and Europe due to demand from customers,” said MAS commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan in a statement.

The low fares are also extended to various destinations in Australia, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Dhaka, Chennai, Bangalore. Hyderabad, Jakarta. Yogjakarta, Surabaya, Ho Chi Minh, Cebu, Phuket, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Singapore.

The travel period is from March 2 to Aug 31 for all destinations except Australia and Europe (travel period is March 18 to Aug 31). The fares are only available on-line.