The Malaysian island of Penang lies off the coast of the mainland, and although it is small in size it has long been a major tourist draw – in fact, it is one of the principal destinations for most visitors coming to Malaysia. In addition to the nice beaches, there are lots of other things to do and see in Penang, so it is a good choice for those looking for a little more than a typical beach vacation. Because this island is so popular with tourists, it has just about everything from budget accommodation to luxury resorts, and there are cheap hotels in Penang right in the middle of the spectrum, too.
Penang’s capital city is Georgetown, and this is a popular spot for tourists – there are lots of backpacker hostels here, as well as a few resorts. Another popular area is Batu Ferringhi, where you will also find plenty of accommodation options, including cheap hotels in Penang in between the hostels and luxury hotels. Georgetown has more to offer in terms of architecture, churches, and other city sights, while Batu Ferringhi is more well-known for its beaches. Georgetown is also know for its cheaper accommodation options.
While much of Malaysia boasts beautiful coastline, the island of Penang is not particularly blessed with the best beaches in the area. To be sure, the beaches at Batu Ferringhi are lovely, and quite well-visited, but even they are not among Malaysia’s finest beaches. Still, the island is a delight to visit for other reasons. Because of the many cultures which have influenced the area, you can still see evidence of the Europeans, Indians, and Chinese. Penang is also well-known as a place to get great food of all kinds.
Some of the cheap hotels in Penang you should consider booking are Sunway Hotel (in Georgetown, 249 rooms, WiFi and broadband internet available, on-site cafe and bar, on-site spa, swimming pool), Hotel Malaysia (in Georgetown, 126 rooms, WiFi available, laundry services, on-site cafe and restaurant, massages available), Berjaya Georgetown Hotel (in Georgetown, 323 rooms, 3 on-site restaurants and bars, outdoor pool), D’Feringghi (in Batu Ferringhi, billed as Penang’s “first budget boutique hotel,” 25 rooms, all rooms with sea or hill view, free WiFi, on-site restaurant, bus service to major points on the island), and Bayview Beach Resort (in Batu Ferringhi, 336 rooms, internet access available, on-site spa, swimming pool, fitness center, on-site restaurants and cafes).