Penang

[Jockstar]

Going to Penang in a couple of weeks. I'm looking for a hotel around 500-600 baht. Any ideas?

[ProfessorFart]

Penang (and Malaysia for that matter) is different to Thailand in that you don't really find too many decent value for money 'mid range' places once you break the 500B (approx 50 Ringitt) mark as you do in Thailand.

To find places the equivalent of a Thai mid range place eg with pool, air con, cable, restaurant and all the trimmings etc you are looking at 800 - 1000B ( Approx 80 - 100RM) upwards.

However, for 500 Baht you can find some nice rooms in Guesthouses and business hotels which will have air con, tv etc but some can be pretty grim, you may have to check out a good few places before you find a god one, and they do not offer the same comfort level you would get for the same price in Thailand.

There are 2 good places on Leith st in Penang close to all the visa agencies which are next door to each other and are guest friendly should the urge take you.

They are the Wardorf which has large, bare clean rooms for 51 RM upwards, and the faded but atmospheric Cathay which is 77RM for a huge room.

You could always try seeing what price you can find from a BKK travel agency as well. They may have some good deals.

If you are going for a visa I would avoid staying out on the beaches which aren't all that.

For a good night out try the Soho pub just up on Jalan Penang. Decent food and beer past 1am!!!!!

[lopburi3]

The Professor has it right. Expect to pay more than in Thailand for less hotel. Georgetown places in this price range can be very depressing from mildew and general neglect. Waldorf has good size rooms but not a place you would want to do more than sleep - and even that may be subject to how bad the odor of pillow is. On two occasions I had to wait for hotel staff to finnish using shower and/or toilet to enter room. Real hotel range starts at about 100RM although some of the older places (still better than Waldorf) can be found in the 80-100 range.

[Felt 35]

lopburi3/ProfessorFart

Any info about Cititel Hotel, Georgetown, Penang!

Regards

[Explorer]

Try this one

http://www.penang-hotels.com/cititel/

Explorer

[lopburi3]

Cititel opened about 5 years ago but have never stayed there. Believe it should be lower price than the link shows it as do not believe it is much higher class then the new section of Continental Hotel (which is newer) on the same street which I believe is just a little over 100.

[Felt 35]

Thanks for the info.

[ProfessorFart]

If cost is not an issue then its a nice hotel with a passable restaurant but with all those top notch eateries in Penang you probably won't eat there much anyway.

[udon]

Avoid the Swiss Hotel, it is recc by the mini bus drivers from Hat Yai, but its filthy.

A good, reliable, visa agent is located on the street outside the Swiss.

[ovenman]

I am partial to Hotel 1926 but it's probably not for everybody as the hotel is an older property (guess when the building was built!). Rooms are in the RM 90 to RM 115 range. It's a neat place to stay if you are looking for something other than a modern, sterile high-rise.

[Jockstar]

Ok lets say i pay 800- 1000 baht a night for a hotel. Then whats the best. ie value for money. Not arsed about aircon. Dont need it. Just a fan. Maybe satelite Tv , maybe a fridge, shower and toilet.Any ideas?

[ProfessorFart]

I'd say the Cathay. Dead central for all your needs Don't know about the fridge though.

the 1926 looks good though!!

[udon]

Jock, if you try the 1926, pls do a brief report here.

It looks good.....Thanks

[Jockstar]

No wories. Will let you know. If i stay there. Whats the address?

[udon]

Map: http://www.penang-hotels.com/hotel1926/index.htm