TASTE OF MALAYSIA: HOLIDAY INN RESORT PENANG

This is a four star resort hotel considered as one of the top 10 hotels in the beautiful Penang Island this year, with a great location in the heart of Batu Ferringhi by the beach.

It is called Holiday Inn Resort Penang or Holiday Inn Resort Batu Ferringhi

The hotel is easily accessible and only 18 kilometers from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown (about a 30-minute drive), and a 45-minute drive from Bayan Lepas International Airport.

Holiday Inn Resort Penang has a unique set-up since there are two separate buildings, the Beach Wing and Ferringhi Tower, conveniently linked by an overhead covered walkway crossing the main road. Flowering bougainvilleas line the walkway.

entrance of the Beach Wing of the Hotel from the road...

Ferringhi Tower of Holiday Inn Resort

Beach Wing from the beach side...

Beach Wing and the covered walkway with bougainvilleas...

the covered walkway...

from the beach wing, we walk up to the walkway...

very convenient since it was rainy when we went there... 

view of the Ferringhi Tower from the Beach Wing...separated by a road!

view of the Beach Wing from my room and you can see the walkway and the Golden Thai restaurant...

Here are also view of the Lobby and the Front Desk...

When I went to the lobby at the Beach Wing,  I requested the gracious front desk lady to take some pictures of me there.

I found out from one of the comments that this wall accent at the background was fabricated in Pampanga!

...and some rooms in Beach wing & Ferringhi Tower were designed by a Filipino. This is really an interesting finding!

I found out that the Holiday Inn Resort Penang is a franchise and the owner’s portrait is hung on the wall.

this picture of the owners were taken on their 60th anniversary 

No wonder it has a strong Indian influence, with the Mumbai night and the South Indian cuisine among their buffet themes. And maybe, also the reason why it was chosen by the organizer of our seminar.

Here are also views of the lobby of the Ferringhi Tower...

front desk at the Ferringhi Tower, but usually there is no front desk person in this side.

while waiting for the hotel guests, visitors can relax while watching the LCD TV

There are 358 spacious guest rooms with panoramic sea or hill views. 

I really loved my room in the Ferringhi wing. This is one of the coziest rooms I ever stayed in. I could stay in the room all day! I had two double beds...I wish I brought my family!

love the color of the beddings...

The room itself is so spacious but cozy with a separate bathroom since I had a corner room. 

This foyer divides my room from my bathroom...

so it is really spacious!

My view is of the Beach Wing building and the night market as well as the very attractive adjacent Golden Thai restaurant, which is a landmark in the area.

I got this picture from my window...

also a picture from my window..Holiday Inn at night 

and view of the night market, too...

Holiday Inn Penang has offers international dishes at Terrace Cafe at the Beach Wing, which features all-day dining in an al fresco setting. Light refreshments are available at the Pool Bar and Lobby Lounge.

Lobby lounge

the beach is just a few meters away

the pool in the background is so typically rectangular! 

For breakfast, we had Halal breakfast with typical Malaysian food such as Nasi Lemak and Rojak. Initially, the food choices seemed unusual for me who is used to bacons, beans and the like, but the choices were quite filling, and in fact, keeps you filled until lunch. I really didn't know how to combine the food there for the nasi lemak!

For lunch, we had theme buffets such as Malaysian, Penang Chinese and South Indian among others.

During my stay, they also launched the Night in Mumbai buffet with a very enjoyable program showcasing Indian culture.

Actually, this is a very intricate piece of art...

made up of colored sand which they delicately "embroidered"  on the floor...

there were dances, songs and a fashion show...

Holiday Inn Penang features an outdoor pool and a variety of water sports. 

The resort's recreational facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, games room with pool table, video game machines and darts. 

However, the layout of the facilities were so typical and so traditionally hotel-like....very rectangular! I guess I got used to seeing interesting pool designs and gardens elsewhere...

pool has a traditional look..

life guard available...

Water sports activities such as para-sailing, jet skiing, boat ride and banana boat ride are available. Horse-riding by the beach is also offered in the beach area.

banana boat ride

 I enjoyed looking a the parasailers and had fun photographing them.

Traditional Malay Massage and Foot Reflexology are also available to ease away tension. 

For the children, our Dolphy Kids Club offers a fun and exciting and educational activities.  I read that the place is supervised by friendly and caring staff so kids will enjoy their stay.

On my last day there, I had a few more experiences. The day in Penang starts late since 6 a.m. is still very dark...much like 4 to 5 a.m. in the Philippines. I had to take an early breakfast but the cafe opens at 6:30 a.m. and indeed it was still so dark. 

While I was eating, I could hear the roaring of the waves...as in roaring! I was enticed to go to the shoreline, but the beach was really dark since there were no lights out there. But there was some fear, too, because I wondered if a tsunami would come if I would go there...weird thoughts! I decided not to.

But really don't be afraid, it is a very beautiful place and here are some of my night shots at the beach garden area, when the lights were still on...

And here are also views of the adjacent beachfront...

Holiday Inn Resort Batu Ferringhi is a beautiful place to go to...why not give it a try!