The First World Hotel is a popular mega-hotel in the Genting Highlands. With 7,351 rooms, it is the largest hotel in the world and a destination unto itself. It offers direct access to a huge shopping and dining mall, as well as to an indoor theme park, the Genting International Convention Center, and a highlands cable car. While this is a good pick for families on a budget wanting to make the most of the hotel’s location and attractions, rooms are small and have limited amenities. There have also been reports that units in Towers One and Two have maintenance issues. Most, however, have great mountain views, and rates are low, especially during the week. For something with a slightly more intimate vibe, consider sister property Awana Hotel.
The First World Hotel is a popular mega-hotel in the Genting Highlands. With 7,351 rooms, it is the largest hotel in the world and a destination unto itself. It offers direct access to a huge shopping and dining mall, as well as to an indoor theme park, the Genting International Convention Center, and a highlands cable car. While this is a good pick for families on a budget wanting to make the most of the hotel’s location and attractions, rooms are small and have limited amenities. There have also been reports that units in Towers One and Two have maintenance issues. Most, however, have great mountain views, and rates are low, especially during the week. For something with a slightly more intimate vibe, consider sister property Awana Hotel.
The Settlement Hotel is a cozy four-pearl boutique property that provides a combination of history and comfort, about 15 minutes away from the city center by car. The hotel itself is a study in architecturally conscious design, with lovely old-fashioned details and artwork throughout. There are 45 modern rooms with amenities like free Wi-Fi and flat-screen cable TVs. Bathrooms are spacious, and include deep soaking tubs. The four garden villas offer nice rustic details and spa-like bathrooms. Public amenities are equally impressive, from an on-site art gallery to an intimate spa villa, and a shuttle into town. There’s also an international restaurant, a bar, and a great rooftop spot to relax. Travelers wanting to be closer to town should check out the more modern Hatten Hotel Melaka instead.
The Settlement Hotel is a cozy four-pearl boutique property that provides a combination of history and comfort, about 15 minutes away from the city center by car. The hotel itself is a study in architecturally conscious design, with lovely old-fashioned details and artwork throughout. There are 45 modern rooms with amenities like free Wi-Fi and flat-screen cable TVs. Bathrooms are spacious, and include deep soaking tubs. The four garden villas offer nice rustic details and spa-like bathrooms. Public amenities are equally impressive, from an on-site art gallery to an intimate spa villa, and a shuttle into town. There’s also an international restaurant, a bar, and a great rooftop spot to relax. Travelers wanting to be closer to town should check out the more modern Hatten Hotel Melaka instead.
The three-pearl Eagle Ranch Resort is a cowboy-themed getaway with a ton of outdoor recreation spread across 32 acres. It's surrounded by forests with nothing in walking distance, but there's plenty to entertain kids between the outdoor sports, go-kart track, paintball, and horse riding. Its 116 rooms are made to look like teepees or bandwagons, and there are larger log cabins, as well as theme-breaking Kampung stilt houses, but many of them are in need of renovation. Breakfast is included, but options are limited. There's nothing else quite like it around, though families might also be interested in the nearby PRIMALAND Port Dickson Resort & Convention Centre, which has a huge water park.
The three-pearl Eagle Ranch Resort is a cowboy-themed getaway with a ton of outdoor recreation spread across 32 acres. It's surrounded by forests with nothing in walking distance, but there's plenty to entertain kids between the outdoor sports, go-kart track, paintball, and horse riding. Its 116 rooms are made to look like teepees or bandwagons, and there are larger log cabins, as well as theme-breaking Kampung stilt houses, but many of them are in need of renovation. Breakfast is included, but options are limited. There's nothing else quite like it around, though families might also be interested in the nearby PRIMALAND Port Dickson Resort & Convention Centre, which has a huge water park.
The mid-range Klana Beach Resort is perched on a hilly promontory that houses the Teluk Kemang Observatory. The observatory's telescopes are an appealing feature that guests can make use of, but the hotel's Muslim-friendly regulations, including dress codes, lack of alcohol, and separate pools for men and women will not appeal to most westerners. The 85 rooms have dated linens, but they're spacious and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Boardwalks on either side of the hotel lead down to two beaches, but the uphill hike back is on steep staircases. Travelers looking for fewer rules and more places to drink should compare prices with the Avillion Admiral Cove, which has its own little yacht club.
The mid-range Klana Beach Resort is perched on a hilly promontory that houses the Teluk Kemang Observatory. The observatory's telescopes are an appealing feature that guests can make use of, but the hotel's Muslim-friendly regulations, including dress codes, lack of alcohol, and separate pools for men and women will not appeal to most westerners. The 85 rooms have dated linens, but they're spacious and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Boardwalks on either side of the hotel lead down to two beaches, but the uphill hike back is on steep staircases. Travelers looking for fewer rules and more places to drink should compare prices with the Avillion Admiral Cove, which has its own little yacht club.
The Sunway Hotel Georgetown Penang is a three-and-a-half-pearl contemporary hotel aimed at business travelers, though it's a great choice for leisure travelers too, especially those keen on checking out the city's street food scene. The popular New Lane Hawker Centre and Penang Times Square are right by the property. Features include meeting rooms, a business center, all-day cafe, a small outdoor pool and hot tub, and a fitness center. The 250 sleek, contemporary guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi, while suites add living rooms and both whirlpool tubs and separate showers. There's an exclusive lounge for Club-level rooms and suites with free breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and evening drinks. For beach views and multiple dining options, check out the G Hotel Gurney, but it can get crowded.
The Sunway Hotel Georgetown Penang is a three-and-a-half-pearl contemporary hotel aimed at business travelers, though it's a great choice for leisure travelers too, especially those keen on checking out the city's street food scene. The popular New Lane Hawker Centre and Penang Times Square are right by the property. Features include meeting rooms, a business center, all-day cafe, a small outdoor pool and hot tub, and a fitness center. The 250 sleek, contemporary guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi, while suites add living rooms and both whirlpool tubs and separate showers. There's an exclusive lounge for Club-level rooms and suites with free breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and evening drinks. For beach views and multiple dining options, check out the G Hotel Gurney, but it can get crowded.
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.
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.
The mid-range Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang is a dated property with one standout feature -- a revolving restaurant offering 360-degree views of the city and an adjacent Sky Bar with a lively atmosphere. It's excellent location puts travelers within easy walking distance of the seaside promenade, Little India, top museums. Exciting rooftop aside, the hotel has some downsides, including evident wear, underwhelming rooms, noise issues, and occasionally long check-in and -out processes. On the other hand, the 340 guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Plus, on-site features include a small gym, small outdoor pool, and meeting spaces. and separate kids' pool. For a better value, consider Museum Hotel, which has charming rooms and a scenic rooftop, though no pool.
The mid-range Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang is a dated property with one standout feature -- a revolving restaurant offering 360-degree views of the city and an adjacent Sky Bar with a lively atmosphere. It's excellent location puts travelers within easy walking distance of the seaside promenade, Little India, top museums. Exciting rooftop aside, the hotel has some downsides, including evident wear, underwhelming rooms, noise issues, and occasionally long check-in and -out processes. On the other hand, the 340 guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Plus, on-site features include a small gym, small outdoor pool, and meeting spaces. and separate kids' pool. For a better value, consider Museum Hotel, which has charming rooms and a scenic rooftop, though no pool.
Located along Queen’s Highway -- a popular tourist road -- this charming, three-pearl beachfront resort has 40 rooms consisting of villas and cottages. All are spacious and homey, with kitchenettes or full kitchens, and most sit directly on the beach. The on-site restaurant serves a free, simple continental breakfast for hotel guests, and is open to the public for diverse a la carte breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with Bahamian flair. With local entertainers and a host of extras -- including an outdoor pool, fitness room, conference room, concierge service, and a game room -- it’s a good place for families and is usually busy. For more action, the Exuma Beach Resort next door has livelier nightlife with a similar price tag.
Located along Queen’s Highway -- a popular tourist road -- this charming, three-pearl beachfront resort has 40 rooms consisting of villas and cottages. All are spacious and homey, with kitchenettes or full kitchens, and most sit directly on the beach. The on-site restaurant serves a free, simple continental breakfast for hotel guests, and is open to the public for diverse a la carte breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with Bahamian flair. With local entertainers and a host of extras -- including an outdoor pool, fitness room, conference room, concierge service, and a game room -- it’s a good place for families and is usually busy. For more action, the Exuma Beach Resort next door has livelier nightlife with a similar price tag.
G Hotel Gurney is a four-pearl urban hotel located across the street from the beach. Decor throughout is simple but stylish, and the lobby has the most character with eye-catching accent features and furniture. The 312 modern and spacious guest rooms are sleek and understated; they offer modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and free minibars. This hotel's convenient location and tech-savvy meeting rooms attract many business travelers, but on-site features like an infinity pool, spa, and a chic lounge bar make it a popular spot for families, couples, and groups of friends, too. Beach lovers might prefer the luxurious Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa which offers direct beach access and free shuttles to George Town, but higher prices.
G Hotel Gurney is a four-pearl urban hotel located across the street from the beach. Decor throughout is simple but stylish, and the lobby has the most character with eye-catching accent features and furniture. The 312 modern and spacious guest rooms are sleek and understated; they offer modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and free minibars. This hotel's convenient location and tech-savvy meeting rooms attract many business travelers, but on-site features like an infinity pool, spa, and a chic lounge bar make it a popular spot for families, couples, and groups of friends, too. Beach lovers might prefer the luxurious Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa which offers direct beach access and free shuttles to George Town, but higher prices.