
This 4-star hotel, located just steps from the beach, has something to offer every member of the family. There are multiple pools including a wading pool for toddlers where they can safely splash around on the slide and play equipment provided. At the beach, families can play in the white sand and calm waters or opt for a more adventurous activity like jet skiing or even parasailing. (Costs extra) Moms and dads of little ones will be thrilled to know there is a fully padded play area complete with a multi-level jungle gym. While the littles play to their heart's content in the playrooms, the older kids can hit up one of the many sports courts such as tennis, basketball, or volleyball. Baby cots and family rooms that can comfortably fit a family of 5 are available.
Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia, +60 4 886 1111, bayviewbeach@bayviewhotels.com, www.bayviewhotels.com
This bright and airy hotel has the best of both worlds as it is located in a business district and on the beach, so when you get tired of frolicking in the sand you can hit the streets and explore the sites. Nearby are popular attractions such as Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm and Penang Avatar Secret Garden. Within the hotel grounds, you'll find a beautiful pool oasis with an accompanying children's pool right beside, as well as a fitness center. If you opt for a meal in, Copthorne Orchid Hotel has a great poolside restaurant complete with a children's menu. Their rooms are spacious to accommodate for extra people and they all come with free breakfast, high five to that!
Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Malaysia 11200, +60 4 892 3333, rsvn.cop@millenniumhotels.com, www.millenniumhotels.com
This 5-star resort is all about the family! It is located on Batu Ferringhi beach surrounded by Malaysian rainforest, giving it a dreamy and secluded feeling. The kids will be thoroughly entertained between the pools, indoor play spaces, and barrage of planned activities they can join. These activities, such as legos, crafts, or games, are planned and hosted by the resort staff; your only job is to drop the kids off. While the little ones are busy playing and having fun, you can hit up the nail salon, read a book at the small onsight library, or play a round of golf at the resort's par 3 golf course. If all that wasn't enough, the amenities they provide for babies is unparalleled as they offer baby cots, strollers, babysitting services and will even sterilize baby bottles. There is much fun to be had within the Rasa Sayang Resort walls, but if you feel like venturing out, Batu Ferringhi night market is just a short walk away.
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort And Spa, Batu Feringgi Beach, 11100 Penang, Malaysia, +60 4 888 8888, rsr@shangri-la.com, www.shangri-la.com
This sleek and modern hotel is all about location location location. G Hotel Gurney overlooks the Strait of Malacca and Gurney Drive, a popular beachfront boardwalk. The hotel is situated right next to Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon Mall where you can find shopping galore, plenty of restaurants, movie theaters, and even a family recreation park; all the ingredients for some family fun! They boast a 25 meter outdoor infinity pool with an attached shallow, wading pool perfect for the little ones to splash around in. Also nearby is an outdoor jacuzzi.
G Hotel Gurney, 168A Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang, Malaysia. +6 04 238 0000, www.gurney.ghotel.com.my
This little slice of family-friendly paradise is located on the ever so popular Batu Ferringhi Beach. Kids and parents alike won't have a chance to get bored as they offer a whole range of activities and facilities for the entire family. There is a kids club that consists of interactive games, a slide with a ball pit, a movie wall, an entire room for legos, and so much more. There is also a resort center where you can play snooker or board games as a family. Additionally, the resort provides an assortment of activities including kite flying, table tennis tournaments, cooking demonstrations, and beach activities like sand volleyball and kayaking. The rooms at Holiday Inn are good sized and they even offer family suites which include a partitioned room for children complete with kid-friendly art and a Playstation 3. If all that wasn't enough, kids get to stay AND eat free with paying parents.
Holiday Inn Resort Penang, 72 Batu Ferringhi, 11100, Penang, Malaysia, + 60 (4) 886 6666, reservation.hipenang@ihg.com, www.penang.holidayinnresorts.com
Flamingo By The Beach is located, well, by the beach in Tanjung Bungah. Apart from all the fun that can be had on the beach, the hotel offers a range of other activities to keep the family happy. There is a large pool area complete with loungers and jacuzzi. Located right next to the pool, within eyeshot, is the kiddie corner that consists of slides and playground equipment. When you need a reprieve from the sun, head inside to the kids club, a playroom with soft play equipment, or get some 'me' time at the fitness center or spa. (childcare is available for a surcharge) The Flamingo offers several great accommodation options for families including a 2 or 3 bedroom suite and all rooms come with a complimentary breakfast buffet, score!
Flamingo By The Beach, Jalan Tanjung Bungah 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia, +604-8927 111, generalenquiries@flamingo.com.my, www.penang.flamingo.com.my
For those adventurous, nature-loving families, looking to do something a little different, give glamping a try! Boulder Valley Glamping is tucked into the lush jungles of Penang Island and offers a unique getaway experience where visitors can stay in tents but still enjoy modern comforts like electricity and beds. This is a fantastic opportunity for families that need a break from the busyness of life in order to reconnect. You can bond with your loved ones as you explore the jungle, splash around in the pool or play games together. There are a plethora of tent options to choose from ranging in size from small 2 person tents, all the way to larger options that can hold up to 6 pax. Breakfast is included with each tent booking.
Boulder Valley Glamping, 8 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Teluk Bahang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, +6012 4906882, info@bouldervalleyglamping.com.my, www.bouldervalleyglamping.com.my
Vacation like a rock star at Hard Rock Hotel located on Batu Ferringhi Beach. You will be amazed at the amenities they offer for every member of the family. For the itty bitties, there is Lil’ Rockers Infants Club that is equipped with soft toys, games, a playhouse, and a slide. 4-12-year-olds can be dropped off at Roxity Kids Club for planned activities like arts and crafts, dancing, games, or movies. And for the teenagers, TABU Teens Club is the place to be where they can play pool, foosball, or video games or try their hand at DJing. Parents, don't worry, there's plenty for you as well! Relax at the spa, get your workout on at the gym or yoga studio, or have a jam session on the guitar. For some outdoor fun, the pool is the place to be as there is always entertainment or activities happening poolside as well as a large splash pad and waterslides (yes, multiple waterslides!) for kiddos. Each room is equipped with a Bose sound system, wifi, and flat-screen tv, but if you want the full family experience, check out the Roxity Kids Suite that consists of extra beds, PlayStation, soft toys and a kid-centric minibar. Some of these suites come with a private courtyard and mini playground that are sure to help your kids sleep like a rock (star).
Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100 Penang, Malaysia, +60 4 8811711, info.penang@hardrockhotels.net, www.penang.hardrockhotels.net
No family-friendly hotel list would be complete without Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La. This 4-star resort, located directly on the beach, is recognized as being one of the most kid and family-friendly resorts in all of Malaysia and it's not hard to see why. Starting outside; there are multiple large pools, a shallow, shaded area for itty bitties, a whirlpool, and best of all a mini water park complete with spray fountains, tipping buckets, and water slides. Also available outdoors are tennis courts, beach volleyball, table tennis, and pitch and putt golf course, to name a few. Heading indoors you can find a nail and hair salon, fitness center, and the Adventure Zone; a 10,000 sq ft family entertainment center that includes slides, ball pits, game zones and so much more. There are also planned activities going on throughout the day for all ages. Your littles, age 5-12, can join the Cool Zone Kids Club and participate in arts and crafts, games, dancing, etc. While your kids are being thoroughly entertained you can check out a cooking class, cocktail mixing demo, fitness class, or just lounge by the pool with a cold drink. If you want to get off campus, there is a complimentary shuttle into Georgetown where you can see historic UNESCO sites, try a new restaurant, or get some shopping in at the malls.
Golden Sands Resort By Shangri-La, Batu Feringgi Beach, Penang 11100 Malaysia, (60 4) 886 1911, gsh@shangri-la.com, www.shangri-la.com/penang/goldensandsresort
Last, but certainly not least, is the very large, modern, and family-oriented Parkroyal Penang Resort located right next to Batu Ferringhi beach. Helping make your family vacation enjoyable and memorable is the Koko-Nut Kids Club which features indoor and outdoor play areas, a separate room for babies and toddlers, and plenty of entertaining activities including. While your youngens are busy created and playing, you can indulge in a pampering massage or get lost in a book by the pool or beach. The resort has 2 large pools as well as a baby wading pool, and, get this, a water theme park with water slides for non-stop splashing fun. This is certainly a resort the whole family will never want to leave.
PARKROYAL Penang Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang 11100, Malaysia, +60 4 886 2288, enquiry.prpen@parkroyalhotels.com, www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-penang.html
Seven Terraces is located in the heart and core of the World Heritage Site and a mere 20m from Pitt Street. Sandwiched between the Goddess of Mercy Temple or Kuan Yin Temple and the St George's Church, it is but a short walk away from the ‘street of harmony’ heritage trail, where one will find a church, temples and mosques all within the same street.
Seven Terraces, 2-16 Lorong Stewart, George Town, Penang Island 10200, Malaysia, www.georgetownheritage.com/seven-terraces-hotel/
This is an exotic boutique hotel in Penang. Penaga Hotel is a heritage boutique hotel that maintains luxurious accommodations. Elegant, cozy, and exotic the gives you an ‘Old World Charm – New World Luxe’ kind of feel. Hutton Rooms is the most popular styles of room in the hotel as it offers the best of Hotel Penaga at the most affordable price. The lap pool is long enough for a workout or just a cooling dip. There’s also a library where you can curl up with a good book.
Hotel Penaga, Clarke Street, George Town, Penang Island 10050, Malaysia, http://hotelpenaga.com
Tucked away in an idyllic spot along Penang’s coastline, Lone Pine is Batu Ferringhi’s only luxury boutique hotel. From cozy rooms to spacious suites opening out onto seafront terraces, balconies or private courtyards, its delightful new decor mixes touches of old world charm with contemporary comfort. There’s alfresco dining at the beach, Japanese for sushi lovers and a cool bar to listen to laid back tunes and the ocean waves outside. There’s a kid-friendly zone equipped for the tech savvy or try your hand at the pool table or carrom.
Lone Pine Hotel, 97 Batu Ferringhi Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia, +60 4-886 8686, www.lonepinehotel.com/main.php
The estate comprises a cluster of traditional Thai rice barns which have been carefully converted with modern comforts. Malihom offers 8 barns for rental. Each features individual character with ensuite and bathrooms on the deck level. Each barn, with its own unique character has a private garden or a deck. There’s a cooling pool for the kids to dip in as you watch on the sideline with a drink.
Malihom Private Estate, Level 23, Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Georgetown, +60124285191, http://malihom.com/
Located along the historic Macalister Road, Macalister Mansion promises a quirky and sophisticated new lifestyle destination to relax and unwind. Macalister Mansion is designed around the idea of an old English mansion. Each space is designed to provide the hospitality of an actual home – good food, fine drink, engaging conversation, soothing music, a good night’s sleep or simply lounging by the pool with the kiddos.
Macalister Mansion, 228, Jalan Macalister, George Town, 11400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, +60 4-228 3888, www.macalistermansion.com/
The hotel is a lovely place for the entire family. It’s close to all the main attractions and restaurants. Centrally located this is a great family spot for a weekend away. Dip into the jacuzzi on the roof after a day of sightseeing. Enjoy the free afternoon tea and a glass of wine as you relax and unwind before dinner. Perfect Georgetown fare.
Le Dream Boutique Hotel, 139, Jalan Pintal Tali, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, +60 4-251 9370, http://ledreamhotel.com/
Muntri Grove is a hidden oasis accessible through a narrow laneway from Muntri Street. Its quiet location is the perfect get-away from the hustle and bustle of busy George Town without leaving the city. If you’re looking for old-world colonial charm this is for you. It’s a tranquil, tropical oasis in the city. There’s a lovely back garden where the kids can play safely.
Muntri Grove Hotel, 127 , 129, 131A – F, Lebuh Muntri, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, +60 4-264 2626, www.georgetownheritage.com/muntri-grove/
Located in a restored historic building in the heart of George Town, this gem of a boutique hotel offers a unique glimpse into the golden past of this world heritage listed city. This hidden gem is a family favorite for a weekend getaway. There’s a private museum where the kids can learn about local Malaysia heritage.
Museum Hotel, No 72 Jalan A.S. Mansor, off Transfer Road, George Town, Penang Island, Jalan Ariffin, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, +60 4 226 6668, www.museumhotel.com.my
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