How to get there
You can fly from KL to Penang and we can recommend the award winning budget airline, Air Asia, to get you there. If you are heading to Penang from Ipoh or the Cameron Highlands, you can get a coach for about £8 for 2 people with Sri Maju (the bus station is about a 10 minute walk from the M Boutique hotel in Ipoh).
Where to stay
Depending on your budget and the experience you would like, we would suggest two alternatives.
Noordin Mews – for around £70 – £80 per night you can stay at this wonderfully welcoming and cosy hotel. The door is bolted and locked with a padlock and all rooms centre on the pool in the courtyard. It’s small and friendly and provides an excellent breakfast and is also in a great location.
Eastern & Oriental – for £130 a night, stay at this elegant colonial hotel set in a beautiful location overlooking the water.
What to do
- Street Art by Ernest Zacharevic located all across Georgetown. Most hotels will have a map of where this can be found.
- Fort Cornwallis – visit early to avoid the heat.
- The Clan Jetties – have lunch at Chew jetty (oldest) right at the entrance; it is really is very tasty.
- Penang Hill – a little bus ride out and so go early and twin with the Kek Lok Si Temple. You can get a golf cart around Penang Hill but if you can, go on foot as you may see more! Don’t forget the monkey cups.
- Kek Lok Si Temple – situated a manageable walk away from Penang Hill although you can get a bus but why miss out on the all Malaysian restaurants on the way?! This is very commercialised and is nice to see but can feel quite intense at times.
Where to eat
Gerogetown, Penang is one of the best places to visit if you’re a foodie! You really are spoiled for choice here and it is difficult to narrow this down to just a few options. However, we would recommend:
Little Kitchen – a wonderful restaurant on Lebuh Noordin and the smallest kitchen in Penang! Mr Loh and his family are the friendliest hosts and you can dine very well for about £25 for two! If you stay at Noordin Mews, get them to book this for you and you will be treated extra well.
Street food which can be found just around the corner from Noordin Mews on Lebuh McNair. It’s much smaller than the larger street food selections which offers a more intimate dining experience.
To see our photos of Penang, click HERE
