Elena Mallia 
Excited to learn which is the best place where to stay in Penang? Then jump on this guide and let’s get the party started!
I’ve already compared all the amazing areas and the best hotels in the city, and categorized everything by interest and price.
George Town is the best area to stay in Penang, as that’s where you’ll find the main attractions and some great hotels. However, if you’re not vibing with that neighborhood, there are 5 more waiting for you just below.
As always, I recommend booking your hotels in Penang in advance! This is a super popular holiday destination and the good options always sell out fast!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
If you need to make a quick decision and book immediately, I got your back! Check this list with the best hotels located in the capital George Town, from luxury to budget:
Contents
Here’s the map with the 6 best areas to stay in that I will be talking about in this post, so you can visualize them:
1. George Town – where to stay in Penang for the first-time
If this is your first time traveling to Penang, there’s no better place to stay in than Geroge Town, the capital city!
From its historical scenery to incredible temples, colorful street art, exquisite food, and local bars, this town is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss out on!
Located in the Northeast of Penang island, George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s full of unique places. Check out Fort Cornwallis (map), an 18th century English fortress, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, or the Clan Jetties (map).
While you’re here, you’ll definitely want to explore the incredible Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple (map) and the Wat Chaiyamangkalaram Temple (map) which is home one of the longest Buddha statues in the world!
These are just some of George Town’s iconic attractions! There are many others and a great way to discover them is to just go on walks around the neighborhood and many streets of this area!
You’ll also find plenty of handcrafted and vintage shops, cafes and so much street art, especially around Beach Street (map).
After exploring the neighborhood and visiting some attractions you can head to Gurney Drive (map) and enjoy a long walk and the waterfront views!
Once the sun sets you can head to the Kimberley Street Food Night Market (map) and indulge in all the delicious traditional food and get some drinks! The nightlife is pretty fun in this area, and there are lots of bars where you can enjoy the night, I’d definitely recommend The Pokok (map).
Other accommodation options in George Town
Things to do in George Town
- Learn new things at Fort Cornwallis
- Eat something yummy at Kimberley Street Food Night Market (map)
- See the big Buddha statue at Wat Chaiyamangkalaram Temple
- Visit the Wonderfood Museum & Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Museum
- Shop all day long at Gurney Plaza Mall (map)
- Check out the Pinang Peranakan Mansion
- Enjoy the views from Top Penang Theme Park
- Go on the Penang Hill tram (map)
2. Batu Ferringhi – best place to stay for beach lovers
Want to relax and enjoy the sun on Penang’s beaches? Then this area is for you!
Located on the North side of the island, Batu Ferringhi is home to a gorgeous white-sand beach and is surrounded by nature, making it the perfect place for those who want a beach holiday!
Batu Ferringhi has a relaxed vibe, and it offers lots of exciting water sports from paragliding to surfing! Honestly, there’s never a dull moment here!
Start your mornings on Batu Ferringhi Beach (map) with a nice and long sunbathing and swimming session! Right near the beach, you’ll also find the Adventure Zone Theme Park (map) and the Pasar Malam Batu Ferringhi Night Market (map) which is packed with local traders selling souvenirs and yummy food!
As I mentioned Batu Ferringhi is surrounded by a national forest, called the Freedom Hill Happy Rock (map) and there are some amazing spots that you can explore there as well like the Iron Waterfall (map) and some hiking trails like Carla’s Peak (map).
Batu Ferringhi is located a 40 min bus drive away from George Town, so if you want to head there to explore the attractions you can totally do it in a day!
Other accommodation options in Batu Ferringhi
Things to do in Batu Ferringhi
- Tyr surfing or paragliding on Batu Ferringhi Beach
- Check out the artwork at the Yahong Art Gallery (map)
- Visit the Penang National Park (map)
- Stroll through the bustling Batu Ferringhi Night Market
- Take the kids to the Adventure Zone Theme Park
- Explore the Freedom Hill Happy Rock Forest
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3. Bukit Mertajam – where to stay in Penang for nature
Bukit Mertajam is the capital of the Seberang Perai Tengah district of mainland Malaysia, located on the Malay Peninsula, around a 40 min car drive from George Town.
You can also get to George Town by public transport, but it’ll take you around 2h.
Even if usually ignored by tourists, this neighborhood is actually a hidden gem. It is filled with places that show the country’s cultural heritage, delicious food, and surrounded by beautiful green landscapes!
This is a great place for those of you who are on your second visit to Penang and want to see the less touristy side of the city. It’s also a nice place for those who are seeking a more relaxed holiday far from the crowds.
While here, make sure you explore Penang’s hills and parks! The Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest (map) is an amazing site with so much unique flora and fauna! You can hike there and enjoy the incredible views!
The forest is also home to some beautiful Buddhist temples so there’s definitely a lot to see here!
Lastly, if you want an adventure, go trekking or biking in the jungles of Cherok Tokun Nature Park (map), where you’ll find lots of species of trees, herbs, and bushes!
Other accommodation options in Bukit Mertajam
Things to do in Bukit Mertajam
- Explore the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest on a hike
- Trek the hill of Bukit Berapit and reach the Temple at the top (map)
- Immerse yourself in the jungles of Cherok Tokun Nature Park
- Go crazy shopping at the Megamall Penang
- Enjoy the views at Mengkuang Dam (map)
4. Tanjung Bungah – the coolest place to stay in Penang
Situated in the Northwest of the island, just a 20 min drive away from George Town, Tanjung Bungah (Flower Cape’) is another paradisiac destination in Penang.
Once a charming and sleepy fishing village, this suburb has become a very popular and well-known beach destination for expats, offering a lot of modern accommodation options for all budgets!
But hotels are for sure not the main reason why tourists love Tanjung Bungah! This is one of the best destinations for watersports in Penang, with Penang Water Sports Center (map) based here! So if you ever wanted to try kayaking or sailing, or if you’re an avid practitioner, you can definitely head there!
Some other fun attractions that you should check out here are the Masjid Terapung floating mosque (map) which looks so incredible! And there are also lots of fab beaches where you can enjoy the sun all day long like Tanjung Bungah beach (map).
If you’re around Tanjung Bungah on a Tuesday evening, make sure you check out the Night Market (map) for a true Penang experience!
Other accommodation options in Tanjung Bungah
Things to do in Tanjung Bungah
- Rent a kayak from Penang Water Sports Center and go on an adventure
- Enjoy some delicious street food at the Tanjung Bungah Night Market
- Explore the hilly streets of the Mount Erskine area
- Go on a walk around the Straits Quay (map)
- Check out the unique Masjid Terapung floating mosque
5. Bayan Lepas – where to stay in Penang near the airport
Set in the Southeast part of the island around a 40 min bus drive away from George Town, this area is perfect for those of you who want to stay somewhere near the airport!
Bayan Lepas is a pretty large area with lots of amazing things to do and see, including some shopping spots like the Queensbay Mall (map).
One of the most fascinating attractions here is the Snake Temple (map) where you can see, as the name suggests, some snakes! Although there are some snakes lying in the trees, most are held in special containers.
Some other cool places that you can see here are the Penang War Museum (map) and the Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (map) which connects Penang Island to the mainland! This one I recommend seeing at night time when all the lights go out!
There are also some spots for those of you who want to spend some time out in nature like the Taman Awam Metropolitan Relau (map) and the Air Terjun Sungai Ara area (map).
Other accommodation options in Bayan Lepas
Things to do in Bayan Lepas
- Shop until you drop at Queensbay Mall
- Visit the unique Snake Temple
- Learn new things at the Penang War Museum
- Go for a walk in the Taman Awam Metropolitan Relau Par
- Catch a sunset at Queens Waterfront (map)
6. Sungai Dua – best location to stay in Penang on a budget
Sungai Dua is located a 20 min drive South of George Town in Penang, along Penang’s East coast and it has recently been renovated into a residential zone. Before that, it served as an agricultural area.
This area is home to the Universiti Sains Malaysia, so you’ll probably see a lot of students around! This also means that the hotel prices and general costs are much lower in Sungai Dua, making it the perfect area for those of you traveling on a tight budget!
There are some bars and restaurants around but you should also try the food at the Super Tanker Food Court (map), where you’ll find lots of food stands!
Although there aren’t lots of attractions here, you’ll still find a couple of fun things to do like hiking the Bukit Rimbah Peak (map) and going to the Sungai Dua Night Market (map).
Other accommodation options in Sungai Dua
Things to do in Sungai Dua
- Grab a bite at Super Tanker Food Court
- Check out the stalls at the colorful Sungai Dua Night Market
- Take a trip to Butterworth city
- Go on a hike around Bukit Rimbah Peak (map)
| 👑 Luxury price: | US$100 |
| 💵 Mid-range: | US$70 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | US$40 |
| 📍 Best area: | George Town |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Eastern & Oriental Hotel |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | Areca Hotel Penang |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | B Street Hotel |
BONUS: Best hotels for a honeymoon in Penang
Heading to Penang for your honeymoon? Then you’ll definitely need a proper hotel for that!
All the Penang hotels in this post have amazing facilities but if you’re looking for something a bit extra, check out the options I included below which I listed from most to least expensive.
Let’s start:
- Bertam Resort – enjoy all the privacy secured by this incredible hotel which offers gorgeous suites with a large tub, stylish decors, a minibar and a balcony overlooking the pool where you can relax in the morning and spend the morning together! Continue your day at the space center and enjoy some cocktails and a yummy meal at the on-site restaurant.
- Citadines Connect Georgetown – get the deluxe loft at this amazing hotel in George Town that will make you and your partner feel right at home! The private loft comes with a lot of space, a seating area and a flat-screen Tv. Start your mornings relaxing by the swimming pool and enjoying your coffee together!
- G Hotel Gurney – Catch a sunrise in the executive suite of this hotel that has large windows overlooking the sea, a mini bar and a seating area. The accommodation also offers 2 swimming pools, a spa center and room service so you can start your mornings with a romantic breakfast in your elegant rooms.
FAQs about where to stay in Penang
🏨 Which is the best area where to stay in Penang?
George Town is the best area to stay in Penang, the capital city which is home to the main attractions and stunning hotels!
👨👨👧 Where to stay in Penang with the family?
Batu Ferringhi is the best area to stay in Penang with the family, offering beautiful white beaches, exciting water sports and great accommodations like Parkroyal Penang Resort.
💸 Where to stay in Penang on a budget?
Sungai Dua is the best place to stay in Penang on a budget and it offers lots of affordable accommodations like U Hotel Penang.
✈️ Where to stay in Penang close to the airport?
Bayan Lepas is home to Penang’s airport so you can stay at a hotel here like Eastin Hotel Penang.
⚖️ Should I stay in Batu Ferringhi Beach or George Town?
If this is your first time in Penang I’d recommend George Town and then just visit Batu Ferringhi for the beach. But if you want just a beach holiday, then Batu Ferringhi is perfect.
👍 Is Penang safe to visit?
Yes, Penang is a safe place to visit! Everyone is super friendly here but as anywhere, be mindful of your belongings and avoid secluded areas at night.
📅 How many days in Penang is enough?
I’d recommend spending 3 to 4 days in Penang, that way you can visit all the attractions and spend time at the beach.
🚶 Is Penang a walkable city?
Yes, Penang is a very walkable city however for some areas you might need to use public transport to get there.
💘 Where to stay in Penang for couples?
Batu Ferringhi is one of the best places to stay in Penang as you’ll have beach access and be pretty close to the capital too!
🍲 Best place to stay in Penang for food?
George Town is the best place to stay in Penang for food as that’s where you’ll find lots of restaurants and the Kimberley Street Food Night Market.
Final thoughts on where to stay in Penang, Malaysia
Who feels more than ready to take over Penang and have an unforgettable trip?
Now that you’ve read this guide on where to stay in Penang, I’m sure you feel more confident about this trip, right?
If you’re still not sure which hotel to pick (don’t worry, this happens to the best of us), then check out my 2 favorite hotels:
- Eastern & Oriental Hotel – a stunning 5 star hotel with 2 pools and 3 restaurants
- Areca Hotel Penang – this hotel offers a great location and an inner courtyard
Just remember that Penang is a popular destination and it’s important to book your hotels here in advance!
Enjoy your holiday and as always, I’m around to help you with other details! Just drop me a comment below and I’ll answer ASAP!
Have a wonderful trip,
Elena
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