Hotels Penang

The island of Penang is located in the straits of Malacca off the north western coast of Malaysia. Penang is also the name given to the state of Malaysia to which the island belongs. The capital of Penang is located on the east coast of the island and is named Georgetown after King George III of Great Britain. Georgetown is the setting of some of the most lavish and extravagant hotels Penang offer.

Penang boasts an amazingly rich multicultural history that visitors are urged to explore. Originally the island was part of the Sultanate of Kedah but was ceded to Captain Francis Light of the Dutch East India Shipping Company as a gift upon his marriage to one of the Sultan of Kedah's daughters. In return Light promised the Sultan military aid, however Light's promise was made without the authority of the Dutch East India Shipping Company and as such was never honoured. The Sultan tried to retake Penang in 1790 but failed and was forced to cede the island to the Company. Since then, the island has become a well cultured blend of colonial, local, Chinese, Islamic and Indian influences.

The historic capital of Georgetown is recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architecture and cultural townscape. The architecture is a seamless melange reflecting the 171 years of colonial occupation blended with local, Chinese, Islamic and Indian architectural styles. As such, Georgetown has played host to several historic movies including Anna and the King and a variety of other renowned foreign films. An ideal activity for the guest of any of the Hotels Penang boasts is to stroll down the old streets of Georgetown and take in the distinctive atmosphere. The streets are characterised by faded building and crumbling walls, the smell of incense hangs in the air creating an atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else on earth.

There are various hotels on the island that are housed in buildings dating back centuries. One hotel worth special mention is the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. This architectural masterpiece reflects the huge diversity of architectural styles in Penang and is a true tribute to the heritage of the area. It has been the location of a variety of movie sets and must not be missed by the architectural enthusiast. More modern hotels abound, and these are generally much cheaper. Penang is also known for its large number of beach resorts which provide guests with the ultimate relaxation experience imaginable.

Guest rooms of all types to suit any need or budget can be found on the island. Rooms catering for children, disabled persons and pet friendly rooms are available. Regardless of whether visitors are in Penang for business or leisure, the island has it all. From king-size luxury suites to specialist business rooms, there is no preference that cannot be met. Room amenities are as modern as can be and commonly include a satellite television, a mini-bar, hair dryer, air conditioning, safety deposit box and various other modern amenities.

The wide variety of guest services offered by hotels Penang will ensure the relaxation of every guest. These include laundry and ironing, currency exchange, bike rental and a variety of others. The full concierge services available facilitate wonderful daytrips over the islands, while the friendly and helpful staff ensures everything is perfect for the return of the guest.

Business facilities are world class at the hotels Penang offer and guests will be as productive as if they had not even left their own office. The most technologically advanced communication and information technology facilities are available to business guests. Superb conference and meeting facilities are available and cater for conferences of any number of delegates. The location of many of the luxury hotels Penang boasts provide an ideal base for business operations in the business centres.

Apart from being excellently equipped with business facilities, world class spa and leisure facilities are also available at the various hotels Penang offer. Massages and spa baths and health treatments are the ideal way to wash away stress and the skilled hotel staff will ensure complete relaxation.

Penang is commonly known as the dining capital of Malaysia and showcases some of the finest cuisine in Asia. Food in Penang represents the multicultural society of the area. The popular dining option for locals is to purchase food from one of the hundreds of small food stalls that line the streets of Penang's cities. These stalls, although basic, are definitely worth sampling and are far better than our western fast food outlets. Of course the luxury hotels Penang offer have superb restaurants serving local and international cuisine. It is highly recommended that first time guests at least sample some of the local foods.

The wonderful island setting and rich history and culture of the island provide the perfect backdrop for the many wonderful hotels. The world class amenities and services for both leisure and business guests are certain to keep guests happy; and the many exciting activities will keep all guests entertained. The hotels Penang offer are definitely worth visiting.