Hotel Royal Penang

I went to Penang with my mother in summer 2003 and stayed in this hotel for 4 days/3 nights. I booked this hotel via the internet. From the internet pictures, the hotel looked grand and posh. When I got there, it was a different story.

The Sheraton Penang is an old hotel and it shows in the time-worn air of the hotel, and in the general layout of the hotel. The only good thing about the hotel is its location conveniently located to good local eating places.

A few minutes walk from the hotel brings you to the Swatow Lane coffee shop, with its stalls selling an assortment of the hawker food for which Penang is so justly famous for. Across one main road, is Penang road, with its many eating shops, and Lorong Selamat, with its small coffee shop well known among the locals.

However, the hotel is far from the beaches, the sights and the main shopping areas. You would need to get a taxi all the time to leave the hotel, which can be challenging and frustrating.

Unique Quality: In terms of accommodation, the Sheraton Hotel Penang provides a good view of the straits, looking to the mainland. Rooms are comfortable enough. The room was bright, beds comfortable and the sea view from our room was great (forgot what floor it was). Our bathroom was large. Everything was clean, but room and bathroom looked a rather tired/well-used. A bit of renovation could make everything look better. Overall, the hotel provides good value for money. I would rate this hotel as a 4 star rather than 5-star.

Basically, this hotel is well located in the heart of Georgetown. Beside the hotel is Penang Plaza (a small scale shopping complex) which has Giant Supermarket (not hypermart cos it is quite small) and a few shops. You can walk over to Prangin Mall in 10mins and if you feel like it, to Gurney Plaza in 20mins.
Behind the hotel is Swatow Lane which is famous for its food. The stalls only open in the afternoon and close late evening. I have to admit I had not the opportunity to eat there. Other than the stalls along Swatow Lane, there are a number eateries near as well.
Some may find the hotel to be a bit old, but to me, it seems fine.

Directions: Along Jalan Burma