No 139, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, Malaysia
In the historic city center near dining and attractions
Affordable rooms with rainfall showers and comfortable beds
Rooftop bar and lounge
Casual restaurant with local cuisine
On-site car rental
Full spa
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking in private car park
In need of some updates
Inconsistent housekeeping
Breakfast not included
No fitness center
No mini-fridges
Car park has limited slots
Some guests complain of Wi-Fi issues
The Armenian Street Heritage Hotel is a short walk from its namesake street within George Town's central Unesco World Heritage district. This budget hotel comes with a rooftop bar and lounge with great views overlooking the historic city center. The simple rooms could use minor furnishing updates, but the decor is charming enough at these rates. Several third-party businesses such as convenience shops and a car rental place add value, but the real perks are the nearby local vendors.
Scene
Corner building with budget rates in the historic part of town
Several of George Town's famous street art murals and sculptures on surrounding streets contribute to the neighborhood's vibrant atmosphere. Inside the hotel the vibe is more mundane, with convenience shops and brochure stands competing with historic black and white photographs for attention. This is a solidly comfortable option, drawing travelers who want an affordable, central hotel walking distance to hawker food options. You get what you pay for, though, and decor is a bit spartan and there can be maintenance and housekeeping issues.
Location
In the historic city center
Located in George Town's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage district, the hotel is a short walk from Armenian Street. Food hawkers can be found in either direction from the hotel, serving local food in shared stalls with communal tables. Cultural attractions like Khoo Kongsi, Kuan Yin Temple, and the Kapitan Keling Mosque are within a 10-minute walk, with Pinang Peranakan Mansion a few minutes farther to the northeast. The Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal is 20 minutes away on foot and the Penang International Airport is about a 30-minute drive to the southern end of the island.
Rooms
Affordable rooms with desks and rainfall showers
The hotel has 92 air-conditioned rooms in three categories: Twin (two twin beds), Double (one queen bed), and Family Rooms (two queen beds, and a tiny sitting table with a pair of chairs). The latter are a good value for families of four. Wood floors and tufted red headboards give a contemporary twist to the otherwise traditional budget decor. Some of the scuffed and dated furnishings could use replacing. Writing desks are accompanied by wooden chairs, with gold-framed mirrors and photographs decorating the walls. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with flat-screen TVs and electric tea kettles, but there are no coffeemakers or mini-fridges. Most guests find the beds comfortable. The bathrooms are covered in white and slate tile with walk-in rainfall showers.
Features
Rooftop bar, casual restaurant, spa, car rental, free parking
The seventh-floor rooftop Sky View Cafe & Lounge has a covered indoor space with a bar and a live performance stage that comes alive at night. Its wraparound terrace has unobstructed city views and some additional seating. There's also a restaurant called Bean's Heritage with staples like Penang noodle curry served in a casual dining room with TVs hanging opposite a lighted menu board with color photos of the house dishes. We found the spa to be underwhelming, with some stale odors on the air, but it offers all the basics for those in need of a massage. There are several shops on-site, as well as tour agency and a car rental office all run by third party operators. Free self-parking is available.