4 Days in Penang, Malaysia - February 2018 (Updated: Dec 2025)
- Desmond
- Dec 28, 2025
- 7 min read
Penang is an island off the western coast of Malaysia and on this trip we stayed in George Town. George Town is the colourful, multicultural capital of the Malaysian island of Penang. Once an important Straits of Malacca trading hub, the city is known for its British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses and mosques. George Town is one of the most religiously diverse city I have ever visited and I am in awe of its harmonious and unique ways of living with each other. This truly is the definition of 'method in its madness'.
Accommodation
There are plenty of luxury hotels in Northern end of the island, but as this is our first trip to George Town we decided to stay in the city at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. The EO Hotel was/is part of the Raffles Group so you can see the same colonial style in the building. It has a somewhat dated charm but it is still regarded as one of the poshest place to stay if you want to be close to the centre. They also provide free self-service drinks between 5:00pm to 6:00pm at their breakfast lounge (next to the pool) which I thought was a nice touch. The rooms are massive and has a great sea view if thats what you chose.
Alternatively, you can stay in one of many heritage building hotels dotted all around town. They provide an authentic cultural experience for you stay but the only down side is often they don't have a pool.
Coming back to Penang after 7 years, I have decided to stay in a newer hotel just to change things up. It is a little bit further away from George Town Historic Centre but Grab is so easier it doesnt really matter. The Millen Penang is one of the more upscale hotels thats popped up in recent years. They updated my original booking to a Suite which is always nice. The views of the room is amazing but 2 things I would like to complain is that the aircon was very loud and the light switches were problematic. The aircon was so loud I had to turn it off the last night and it made such a big difference in my sleep. It was cool enough through out the night if I leave them on earlier. The light switches were also tempermental but it wasn't a real problem, it was just annoying. However I must give the housekeeping a compliment for their attention to details.
Sightseeing
The town itself is a UNESCO heritage site and it is pretty walkable. We did not particularly plan too much but to wonder around and absorb the unique vibe and architecture this town has to offer. We came here during the end of CNY so many shops were closed. Something to think about before you plan your trip.
Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion
Heavily featured in Crazy Rich Asian, The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a government gazetted heritage building located on Leith Street. The mansion's external decorations and indigo-blue outer walls make it a very distinctive building, and it is sometimes referred to as The Blue Mansion.
Clan Jetties Of Penang
Busy, scenic destination featuring a traditional village of rustic houses on stilts over the water. The Jetties lie on the eastern side of George town and is certainly a breath of fresh air from the busy city centre. Here you can wonder about on these narrow platforms and buy some random souvenirs. Great place for your Instagram.
Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi
1810 temple built by an ancestral clan featuring ornate Chinese design, with tours & events. It is an interesting building to see how different cultures seep into the everyday object within a distinctively Chinese interior setting.
Armenian Street
Armenian Street is a narrow street within the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Located within the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the road has gained popularity in recent years for its rich cultural offerings and street art.
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Historic Chinese clan temple & museum with detailed architecture, murals & stone carvings.
Restaurants
Mojo Jojo (Updated: Dec 2025)
One of our highlights this trip. Write across the Eastern and Oriental Hotel this places serves up some classic brunch/western dishes with a twist. Everything was so welll executed and surprising that we want to come back for mall. We only managed to have brunch and we loved the Scallop Cold Capellini, Fried Chicken Sando and also the Roast Chicken. It makes a nice break from all the asian food this trip.
Commune Table by Gen (Updated: Dec 2025)
Located at Lebuh Presgrave, a part of Georgetown city's area, the Seven Street Precinct. Seating up to 24 people directly off our open kitchen, guests can have a vista down onto Penang city’s historical, bustling inner-city while enjoying their meal —it is the dream and there's no other reason for being here. This place offers modern twist of classic asian/malay dishes. It was a great casual fine dining experience. This place is prob better for small groups as they will put you upstairs if you have a bigger group, which was still nice.
Beng Kee Claypot Bak Kut Teh (Updated: Dec 2025)
A great little hawker stall serving up some tasty Bak Kut Teh near the Millen Hotel. The set ups with a side veg and rice. Can recommend this classic Malay dish! Please do take note on their opening hours as unlike HK restaurants most places take an afternoon break between lunch and dinner services.
Loh Kei Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng (Updated: Dec 2025)
A fairely popular place serving their signature Duck Noodle. Everything they have is pretty much duck related and dont worry about ordering too much, the menu looks big but the portions are quite small. I pretty much finished everything here by myself. The Ipoh Bean Sprout is a must try along with all the other dishes. They close at 11:30am (breakfast only) so go early to avoid items selling out!
Sea Queen Seafood Restaurant (Updated: Dec 2025)
A little out the way and our friend's Wedding Banquet was held here. Everything was pretty decent and it was located at the Straits Quay along with some other more chill bars and restaurants. The whole area reminded me more of Singapore than Malaysia.
Chulia Street / Lebuh Chulia
Chulia Street is one of the oldest roads in the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Created soon after the founding of George Town in 1786, it forms a part of the city's Little India enclave ever since, whilst also boasting a multicultural character due to Indian Muslim and Chinese influences. Once evening falls the street is filled with vendors selling street food and fruit etc. Bring your own wet wipes and tissue.
Edelweiss Cafe
Edelweiss Cafe is a specialty cafe in the heritage enclave of Armenian Street. It is housed in a 1860's shophouse built in the early transitional style of the mid 19th century Penang. In the restoration process, the shophouse had a complete make over to return it as closely as possible to its original state. The result is a cafe that opens six days a week offering a menu of German and Swiss specialties. This is a great place for lunch or a coffee to escape from the hustling of the busy town centre.
Kebaya Dining Room
This restaurant is located at the Seven Terraces Hotel. The owner Christopher Ong, a heritage-preserving and award winning hotelier, has worked with the hotel's chefs to create a menu of classic Indo and Straits Chinese Nyonya dishes. Along with Chef Zac and Chef Kent, Kebaya had undergone reinterpretation and de-construction to deliver surprising new twists of elevation in its serving. This is one of the fanciest restaurant in town and it certainly doesn't disappoint in terms of keeping the menu interesting but not offensive at the same time.
Indigo Restaurant
Located on the first floor of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Indigo restaurant is inspired by the man himself, offering a marriage between East and West not just in the setting, but also the cuisine. The interior was designed to complement and enhance the fine dining Penang cuisine which it serves, acting as a reflection of the ever- evolving culinary palette presented by Chef Weng. It was a bit too romantic for us. The food was great but we didn't think why the heck are we having french in Penang.
Love Lane
This is the famous drinking street pack with backpackers and dive bars. Pretty much all of them are has open front so feel free to choose which ever one you want. We went to Micke's Place which seems to be the least trashy out of all of them.
Three Sixty
This rooftop bar/club feels a bit run down but it has good chart toppers for some dancing.
Hawkers Stalls
There are plenty of Hawkers Food Market in Penang and it will be a shame if you didn't try it before you go. The key thing is just be street wise and be open-minded.
Cafes and Tea Shops
There are plenty of hipster cafes around town which I'm sure are decent. We went to one but unfortunately we cannot find the details of the place.
Other Entertainment
G Wellness Spa (Updated: Dec 2025)
This place only offer massages and no facial treatment. It was ok but definitely not as decent as the one you get in Thailand or Vietnam. The hardware was nice but the software was just not matching its interior. Howver its still a 7/10. It's around 8 min walk from The Millen Hotel.
Areoma Spa (Updated: Dec 2025)
This is literally just opposit G Wellness and it certainly feel more highend and price is similar to G Wellness. More focused on beauty and I only had a facial treatment here. I would definitely recommend this one more as it felt more professional.
IVY | Insightful Vinyasa Yoga by De Yoga House (Updated: Dec 2025)
A great yoga studio that was only recently opened in March 2025. Great intrsuctor and a spacious studio room. I will definitely come back if I'm ever back in Penang again.
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