Eastin Hotel Penang — A Comfortable Stay with Great Value
I recently spent a few days in Georgetown, on Penang Island, Malaysia. A friend recommended the Eastin Hotel, and I’m glad I took his advice. I booked through Trip.com, though similar rates are often available on Booking.com and Agoda.
The hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport. You can take a taxi, arrange an airport pickup through the hotel, or, like I did, simply book a Grab.
When I arrived, the spacious reception area made a great first impression. Check-in was quick, and to my surprise, the receptionist informed me I’d been upgraded from a Standard Room to a Suite.
Room and Amenities
The suite was impressive. Upon entering, I found a guest bathroom with a toilet and sink, followed by a comfortable living room featuring a sofa, work desk, and Smart TV.
The minibar was complimentary and included snacks, sodas, sparkling water, and even a beer, a thoughtful touch.
A coffee machine, kettle, and generous daily water supply were also provided.
The suite included a wardrobe stocked with bathrobes, slippers, an iron, ironing board, and safe.
The bedroom featured another Smart TV and a very comfortable bed with wonderful MicroDown pillows.
It connected directly to a large bathroom with a sink, a bathtub, a separate shower, a toilet, and a privacy curtain between the bath and bedroom. Toiletries, dental and shaving kits, and other small amenities were all neatly provided.
My suite faced the back of the building, which I found quieter than the main road side.
The dual air conditioners worked well, though they were a little noisy at night. And since the hotel is near the airport, you may occasionally hear planes taking off or landing.
Breakfast and Facilities
The breakfast buffet was excellent, there was a wide variety of Asian and Western dishes, including fresh fruits, pastries, egg stations, and healthy and detox juice options. The only downside: it gets crowded early, even around 7 a.m., so finding a quiet table can be tricky.
The second floor houses a spacious gym equipped with treadmills, bikes, weight machines, and towels with a fresh-water station.
On the same level, there are meeting rooms, and access to the outdoor swimming pool (also reachable from the third floor).
The pool area is clean, with plenty of loungers and fresh towels available. While some traffic noise is noticeable, it’s still a relaxing place to unwind.
There’s also a spa advertised in the lift, though I didn’t have the chance to visit.
Surroundings
The hotel’s immediate surroundings are fairly quiet with only a few restaurants and pubs nearby. You can walk to the bay but there isn’t so much to do and see.
However, Queensbay Mall is just a pleasant 400-meter walk away. It’s a great spot for shopping and dining, with excellent restaurant choices.
I particularly recommend Gravy Baby, located opposite Starbucks at the north entrance (note there are two Starbucks in the mall).
Their pies, Mexican dishes, steaks, and pizzas are delicious, and the terrace seating has a nice laid-back vibe.
Eastin Hotel also has a fine dining restaurant that I didn’t try, a small coffee lounge near the lobby, and in-room dining service available.
Overall Impression
Eastin Hotel Penang offers spacious and well-designed rooms, great service, and a wide range of facilities at good value. Despite minor noise from air conditioning and nearby traffic, my overall stay was very pleasant, and I’d happily return on my next trip to Penang.
Still not convinced? Check out the video!
Eastin Hotel Penang, prices and availabilities:
Booking.com / Agoda / Trip.com
