3-Star Hotels in Penang, Malaysia

Despite the comfortable bed and pillows, as well as the spacious bathroom, my overall stay was rather disappointing. The room was much smaller than expected, and the small window faced a wall instead of offering a city view, making the room feel quite enclosed. The lobby had an unpleasant smell, and the reception experience could have been warmer and more welcoming. The parking area was also poorly maintained—it was dark, had an unpleasant odor, and the parking bays were very narrow and difficult to navigate. The highlights of the stay were the above-average  buffet breakfast with a wide variety of choices and the hotel’s strategic location. Unfortunately, these positives were not enough to outweigh the overall experience.

Check-in on June 26, 2026 ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This hotel is very comfortable and clean. The staff are friendly and the check-in and check-out process was very smooth. The room is spacious, tidy, and equipped with all the necessary amenities, including a qibla direction indicator. The location is very good, but it's a bit difficult to find halal food around the hotel. Very satisfied and will definitely come again.

We stayed two nights at Summer Tree Hotel Penang during our trip to Penang. One of the main reasons I chose this hotel was its location — right in the heart of Georgetown near Komtar, which makes it very convenient for getting around. It also offers parking, which is a big plus in this area. Another reason was the late check-in option, as I was having dinner with a friend in Nibong Tebal, which is quite a distance away. The pricing was also reasonable, making it an attractive choice overall. Upon arrival, however, parking was already full. I had to park at a space right in front of the hotel where delivery trucks usually arrive in the morning. This made me slightly anxious, as I was worried I might be asked to move my car early the next day. The lobby is simple but modern, with a creative, slightly hipster and artistic vibe — almost like a small modern art space. There are vending machines offering snacks, drinks, and essentials for travelers. At the back, there are toilets and also a laundry area with washing machines. A small coffee corner and even an old-school arcade game machine add a nice nostalgic touch, which was a pleasant surprise. However, the room itself was quite disappointing. While the room is basic and small — which I don’t mind — the flooring under the carpet felt severely damaged. Walking on it felt uneven and almost “soft,” as if the ground beneath had deteriorated. It gave a very uncomfortable and unsettling feeling, possibly due to moisture or termite damage underneath. Another concern was the bathroom design. There is an elevated step at the entrance, which becomes a clear trip hazard. I actually tripped once when entering. Even after that, I had to be very cautious because the floor just outside the bathroom is extremely slippery. Every entry and exit required full attention. There is also no proper shelf or platform inside the shower area to place shampoo or shower gel. We had to repeatedly open and close the glass door just to access toiletries during showering, which was inconvenient. Only basic amenities like shower gel and liquid hand soap were provided. The room was also advertised with a decent view, but the window was covered with a mesh, and since we were on the first floor, there was very little to see. On the positive side, the water dispenser outside the room was very convenient. The next day, parking was still full, so we had to park at a private area nearby. Since it was raining, the walk back to the hotel was quite inconvenient as well. Overall, while the location and concept of the hotel are strong, the room condition and safety design issues need serious attention. I would strongly recommend replacing the carpet flooring with vinyl wood flooring for durability and hygiene. As for the bathroom layout, improvements may be limited due to structure, but safety enhancements like anti-slip flooring would make a big difference.

The picture in online is quite nice, but the actual staying is quite shocking 😅 When we first enter the lobby, we are impressed, cos for an old shop lot, the lobby is giving a good impression with it's bright lighting and cleanliness. Then we faced several difficulties that we need to highlight for all visitors who wish to book this hotel (for the owner also, I hope you see my review and make some improvement that will definitely increase your customers and rebooking) 1. We changed room for three times. The [first room No. 29] is with a big hole/maintenance door in bathroom ceiling that exposed all the electrical wire which may caused danger to life. Some more got a line of ants all around the room ceiling and floor. The [second room No. 32] is quite nice, bright and comfortable but the water heater is not working with no hot water and the water pressure is so small. Then finally we changed to a good one. 2. The price we paid is for room with window, but I rather don't want cos it doesn't play any purpose except as a decoration, at the same time without curtain! (All the rooms we changed are without curtains) So anyone can look into our room when we have the lights on 😅 3. Super helpful front desk. The owner should reward the Sabahan lady who helps us to change room. She walks up and down to get us a comfortable room. We really appreciate it a lot 🙏🏻🥰 If not, I'll leave a really really bad review here cos we are really tire with all the hassles 😒 4. For those who like to stay upstairs (first/second floor), there's no lift, so you will need to climb stairs. Bringing elderly or OKU, can only stay at ground floor. 5. All the rooms we been to has a common issue -- it's not basic clean 😅 The toilet has urine stain, the bedsheet has 2-3 hairs on it, and the table and teacup are definitely not for use one (I don't dare to use 🤣) 6. The last room we stay has flies and we smashed them onto wall cos we're too tire to wait and change a new room aldy. At least we finally get a room with hot bath water. 7. Soundproof is not good. In the room, we can hear the sound of people talking and passing the hall, and the car honking. For us is ok, cos we are deep sleeper, but for those who are sensitive, I don't think you will get a good sleep here 🤣 Overall, the good things of this hotel: 1. It's budget, so ok lah 2. The front desk is helpful and responsive 3. The overall amenities still ok (available: free filter water, TV with wifi, mirror in bathroom, water heater; NOT available: no toilet tissue, no hangers but it has hanging rack) So conclusion is, if you're just need a place to bath and sleep, then may consider here. In my opinion, it will not be a good place for 'enjoy hotel time'. So it makes sense for the price paid. Thank you for attending to us.

Bishop Hotel’s greatest selling point is its impeccable location on Lebuh Bishop, right in the heart of George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage core zone in George Town. Within a 3–5 minute walk, you can reach landmarks such as St. George's Church, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and the city’s famous Armenian Street mural trail. The hotel is surrounded by some of Penang’s finest dining options. Step outside and you are immediately in Little India, where authentic banana-leaf rice and fragrant curries abound. Popular spots like GEMS Restaurant and the refined Nyonya restaurant Kebaya Dining Room are only a few steps away. Despite its name, Bishop Hotel does not adopt a nostalgic Nanyang aesthetic. Instead, its interior design embraces a clean, modern industrial style. Rooms are known for being tidy and efficiently designed. Flooring typically features wood or polished tiles. While room sizes are relatively compact—consistent with heritage district buildings—the facilities are generally well maintained and fairly new. Given its location in the bustling old town, street-facing rooms may experience early-morning traffic noise or nearby commercial activity. Light sleepers are advised to book a windowless room (often quieter) or request a higher-floor, inward-facing unit. At a price range of MYR 100–150 per night in the very heart of George Town, offering an elevator, private bathroom, and air conditioning, Bishop Hotel delivers outstanding value for money. 🪴Points to Consider🪴 Parking Challenges: George Town’s old streets are narrow, and the hotel does not provide private parking. Guests arriving by car will need to rely on municipal street parking or nearby paid parking lots, which can be inconvenient. Limited Natural Light: Some budget room categories do not have exterior windows. In Southeast Asia’s humid climate, this may feel slightly confined to some guests. Limited Facilities: This is a hotel focused purely on accommodation. There is no swimming pool or large fitness center. For travelers seeking a resort-style “holiday atmosphere,” it functions more as a well-appointed base for exploration. 🪴Who It’s Best For🪴 Backpackers & Independent Travelers: Those who prioritize walking access to cultural landmarks. Short-Term Business Travelers: Visitors seeking a modern, convenient, and reasonably priced stay in the city center. Food Enthusiasts: Travelers who would rather spend their budget on Penang’s street art and culinary scene than on luxury lodging. 🪴Insider Tip🪴 On Sunday mornings, take a short walk to Occupy Beach Street, the weekly car-free event, to experience George Town’s most vibrant street culture and local market atmosphere.

The place was clean and huge, nice room 222, VERY HUGE WITH 2 QUEENS Its our 5th time staying here at RAIA INN PENANG Mall and good foods surrounds us Queensbay and lotsa eateries Awesome place Recommended

Nice hotel in Chulia street, near to a few bars and restaurants, nice night scene. The room was very spacious, there was a window but don't expect much as it's facing the alleyway. Plenty of parking for hotel guests. I'd return

My family love the superb hospitality of Citadines Connect at Cecil. Almost every touch point creates fond and memorable experiences to each of us. Staff are delightfully hospitable, everyone of their staff are wonderful service ambassadors for the brand! So fortunate to have such a top class crew and team.  Its architecture makes Lebuh Cecil neighbourhood becomes a beautiful spot to behold and enhances the entire surrounding. Fall in love with its simple and yet unique design.

The location is fantastic, right in the heart of Penang. The airport bus stops at a station just 100-200 meters from the hotel. Penang's old town is also within walking distance, or if you prefer not to walk, there's another station that looks like a container where you can catch the 101 bus, which is very convenient. The cleanliness gets a moderate rating because I found some marks on the bedsheets. There wasn't any smell, so they were likely washed, but those stains probably needed a more thorough scrub. If you're particular about cleanliness, you might want to reconsider, as I've seen other guests report the same issue, indicating it's not an isolated incident. The service was quite good; the front desk helped me with change and was very welcoming to guests.

I did a lot of research before deciding on Hotel Sentral Seaview by the Beach. Most reviews weren’t favorable however I was willing to take a risk considering my last hotel was horrible. Overall, I was surprised and it has exceeded my expectations. Having said that my expectations were pretty low! Positives: - Rooms were clean. The hardware of the hotel has undergone some major wear and tear. However, the hotel and room has undergone a fresh coat of paint. There is a faint smell of paint, but that for me wasn’t a negative. - Initially in my room was facing the hotel next-door. On the same level I could see the security guards and the neighbor hotel walk back-and-forth. As a female guest, this made me feel super uncomfortable. I went downstairs and requested a room change. The response from the front desk was “Just close your curtains.” In the end I was changed to another room on the other side of the hotel facing the ocean. - The view! Wow. Seeing and hearing the waves from the beach.. all the stress falls away! Because I was given this room, I made the decision to rebook another 2 nights at the hotel! - Wi-Fi was strong. - Hardly anyone using the pool, which made it really peaceful and quiet. Water is cool and clean. On the first day I was there the hotel were doing maintenance and cleaning of the pool area. - The beach is quiet (not many people) - and quite clean. - Right in front of the hotel, few footsteps away is a huge food court with lots of variety of food. It’s fantastic. 10 min walk is Lotus Mall. - There is a bus stop outside. Take 101 to go to Batu Ferringhi Beach. - 200 m from the hotel is the Oceano Symphony cafe. Good food and drinks. - Breakfast - was basic but ok. - Staff are friendly and helpful! Overall, the positives outweighed the negatives. I can understand that this hotel may not be the standard of a lot of international guests. But for peace, little crowds and sounds of the waves, in a quiet spot on the Penang island it’s been great.