If there’s one important thing to do during holiday planning, it would be booking an accommodation as early as possible. I’d usually do so a few weeks before my holiday in order to secure a good deal as well as stay in the hotel that I’m comfortable in.
But… unfortunately, no thanks to my spontaneous nature, I didn’t do so for my last Penang trip. I had so little time to search and secure my usual ones (hotels) that I had to look for another one. But with much luck and a quick search (and perhaps memory), I managed to secure a room via a hotel booking website at Royale Bintang Penang with pretty decent rate.
The hotel is relatively new with a rather historical touch on the exterior of the building and it’s quite visible along Weld Quay. One would be mistaken it for a refurbished old building if it wasn’t for the signage. And yes, they are under the same group who manages hotels of the same name in Kuala Lumpur, Damansara, Seremban and Terengganu. I recalled seeing this hotel when I was having my usual, awesome nasi lemak bungkus during my previous trip.
The front service was kinda patchy on that day. I couldn’t blame them since they were relatively new. The check in was rather fast and easy. The staffs were friendly and helpful. But to my dismay, the room wasn’t ready and I was told that it would be ready in half and hour. Needless to say, I had to wait for another hour (plus a few gentle reminders to them) before I could get the room key.
Welcome drinks were provided and were served at the bar lounge. I liked the setting of the lounge with big screens behind the bar. There’s dedicated smoking room with a huge projector TV in it too.
The room was bigger than I thought it would be. I suspect that they gave an upgrade since they can’t find my details in their system. So, instead of Superior, I got a Deluxe room. The room was fully furnished and carpeted.
It may look rather classic visually, but the room was fitted with modern furnishings and furniture like contemporary switches, digital air-con controller, LCD TV and etc. The room has king size bed, lounge chair/sofa and dressing/working table all spaced out on each corner of the room with the large bed in the middle of it. Though there’s no LAN port for internet connection, but free WiFi was available in the room as well as around hotel vicinity to all hotel guests.
The wardrobe has all the expected appliances and amenities; safe deposit box, mini fridge and ironing board hidden behind the doors. Kettle, coffee, tea and four complementary bottles of water were placed neatly on one side of the wardrobe for easy access.
The bathroom was well stocked too. Hand towels, facial towels, floor mat as well as bath towels were pressed, folded and placed in allocated compartments and around the bathroom’s vicinity. The toilet has its own separate area directly opposite of the standing shower area. There was no bathtub but I didn’t mind at all. I was particularly glad that it has big shower head with good water pressure at all times. Toiletries were pretty complete; shower gel, shampoo, soap, cotton buds, toothbrush and etc.
The breakfast venue was held at ground floor. The venue was lovely but the spread wasn’t impressive but it was sufficient to fill up hungry guests.
Overall, the stay was comfortable. The room was quiet at all times. Though they were friendly, the service of the staff could be improved further. Free parkings were provided to hotel guests but they’re quite limited. Vicinity wise, they’re quite close to food outlets and cafes, which is a plus point.
Address:
No 1 & 2, Pengkalan Weld,
10300 George Town,
Penang,
Malaysia.
