CALL US : +1 646 415 8092

ABOUT

About Remote Lands

Our Team

Giving Back Client Testimonials Articles About Us Media Contacts Press Releases Newsletter Archive Mission Statement Contact Us Careers FAQ

NEWSLETTER Sign up

I am a travel advisor
BEYOND

Ultra-Luxe

INTREPID

Aman Private Jet Expeditions
WHAT

ACTIVE
CULTURE
GETAWAYS
LIFESTYLE
OUTDOORS

Bicycling
Diving
Motorcycling
Skiing
Sports
Architecture
Art
Cuisine
Heritage
Tribal
UNESCO
Beaches
Celebrations
Romance
With Kids
Luxury Cruises
Luxury Trains
Spirituality
Wellness
Amazing Landscapes
Glamping
Off The Grid
Trekking
Wildlife

2020 Summer Games
WHERE

BY Country

BY HOTEL

Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan
Laos Macao Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Papua New Guinea Philippines Siberia
Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Tibet Turkmenistan UAE Uzbekistan Vietnam

Itineraries

Alila Aman Anantara Belmond Como Four Seasons Mandarin Oriental
Oberoi Peninsula Ritz Carlton Rosewood Six Senses The House Collective

Preferred Hotels
WHEN

BY MONTH

January February March

April May June

July August September

October November December

Festivals & Events
AGENTS

Why Remote Lands

Tradeshows

Testimonials

NEWSLETTER Sign up

I am a travel advisor
TRAVELOGUES
X
SEE ALL
ENQUIRE

ABOUT

About Remote Lands

Our Team

Giving Back Client Testimonials Articles About Us Media Contacts Press Releases Newsletter Archive Mission Statement Contact Us FAQ

NEWSLETTER Sign up

I am a travel advisor
BEYOND

Ultra-Luxe

INTREPID

Aman Private Jet Expeditions
WHAT

ACTIVE
CULTURE
GETAWAYS
LIFESTYLE
OUTDOORS

Bicycling
Diving
Motorcycling
Skiing
Sports
Architecture
Art
Cuisine
Heritage
Tribal
UNESCO
Beaches
Celebrations
Romance
With Kids
Luxury Cruises
Luxury Trains
Spirituality
Wellness
Amazing Landscapes
Glamping
Off The Grid
Trekking
Wildlife

2020 Summer Games
WHERE

BY Country

BY HOTEL

Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan
Laos Macao Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Papua New Guinea Philippines Siberia
Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Tibet Turkmenistan UAE Uzbekistan Vietnam

Itineraries

Alila Aman Anantara Belmond Como Four Seasons Mandarin Oriental
Oberoi Peninsula Ritz Carlton Rosewood Six Senses The House Collective

Preferred Hotels
WHEN

BY MONTH

January February March

April May June

July August September

October November December

Festivals & Events
AGENTS

Why Remote Lands

Tradeshows

Testimonials

NEWSLETTER Sign up

I am a travel advisor
TRAVELOGUES
X
SEE ALL
ENQUIRE

HOME > MALAYSIA > Penang

Penang

Penang is a beautiful island off the northwest coast of mainland Malaysia. The island contains some beautiful colonial buildings, as well as a long history of foreign settlements. Like so many places in Asia, Penang owes is modern beginnings to the British East India Company. This was the first such settlement in Malaysia for the British, who sought to push out the Dutch and their spice trade. Back then Penang was known as "Betel Nut Island". Ethnic Chinese eventually followed. Islam was a strong part of the culture. At less than 11 square miles, this tiny island belies the island's myriad features. There are pretty beaches and quiet fishing villages, as well as a fast-growing information technology center. Georgetown is the main city, and it is a popular take-off point for travelers departing for other islands and parts of Malaysia.

EXPERIENCES

Beaches

While the beaches are not overwhelmingly beautiful, they provide a nice place to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day. The most secluded beaches are at Teluk Kampi, Muka Head and Pantai Kerachut. There is an old and charming lighthouse at Muka Head beach.

Butterfly Farm

There is an outstanding collection of tropical butterflies, as well as snakes, scorpions and other dangerous insects.

Food Stalls and Cooking Class

Penang is one of the finest food outposts in all of Malaysia. Wander around Penang's myriad food stalls to sample the area's diverse cuisine, which includes mee sotong (fish-laden noodles), a local delight. Alternatively, why not take a cooking class?

Hiking to a Beach

The beaches of Penang are accessible on foot, if you are interested in hiking between 1-3 hours. For a shortcut, board a sampan fishing boat from Teluk Bahang Village.

Motorbike Tour

Tour Georgetown on two wheels and take in its historic and colonial sites.

Outdoor Sports

Golfing, swimming (especially along the northern coast), surfing, jet skis, parasailing and cycling are all on the menu.

Penang Dragon Boat Festival

The event is held at Teluk Bahang Dam and features teams from Australia, China, Japan, Holland, the Philippines, Thailand, Canada, America and other nations. It has been on-going since 1979. Race dates vary every year.

War Museum

This was a part of a military fortress built by the British Army during the rise of Japan as the 1930s unfolded. It was meant to protect from an attack on the southern flank. The fort was a mini-marvel, featuring underground tunnels, an intelligence and logistics center, offices, bays for firing artillery and an infirmary.

malaysia Regions

MALAYSIA Regions

Peninsular Malaysia

Sabah

SELINGAN TURTLE ISLAND

Sarawak

PREFERRED HOTEL

Eastern & Oriental Express

Passengers aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express by Belmond get the opportunity to travel in style and luxury on magical journeys throughout Southeast Asia with a range of trips; destinations include the buzzing cities of Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the breath-taking temples of Angkor Wat and the UNESCO world Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Aboard the train, guests enjoy every comfort, with three options of comfortable private cabins, each with its own en-suite facilities, not to mention the train’s rear carriage where travelers can enjoy views of the passing scenery by day and socializing with cocktails and entertainment come nightfall. Dining is a pleasure with breakfast in bed and a range of international cuisine served in the dining cars. The train’s bar car is open all hours for guests to relax, chat and enjoy a drink or two as the landscape slides by.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

A historical property, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is reminiscent of British elegance during the colonial era while representing present-day Penang. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the hotel boasts a stellar location, close to downtown Georgetown and the cultural, financial and historical districts are located. With 100 suites, the E&O boasts a 750-foot seafront promenade and facilities including a swimming pool, 24-hour room service, a fitness center, sauna, meeting rooms, a business center and fitness center. Dining options include The Starkles Corner, a casual restaurant serving international cuisine and 1885, a Western-style restaurant serving dinner and traditional English tea. The E&O Hotel is located approximately 20 minutes from the Penang International Airport.

Hotel Penaga

Situated in Georgetown, capital of the state of Penang and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hotel Penaga is housed in a historic block of shops and teahouses. With its location, the Penaga lies within walking distance of many sights, including the scenic Batu Ferringhi Beach, and Clarke Street, a famous thoroughfare running through the heart of Georgetown. Each room is furnished with hand-crafted furniture, Jacuzzi bath and separate shower, and plush beds; upstairs rooms also have restored balconies, which were once used by the original inhabitants of the area. Amenities include a swimming pool, a comprehensive spa offering traditional Malay treatments, a library, a business center, and a luxury boutique selling antique handicrafts, decorations, and trinkets. In-house restaurants include the Cinnamon, a formal venue overlooking the swimming pool, and the Tanglung Bar, a casual bar that mixes Malay, Chinese, and colonial English décor.

Seven Terraces

An acclaimed Malaysian heritage hotel, the Seven Terraces promises guests a beautiful, timeless, and romantic retreat at their boutique property. Presented with the UNESCO Award of Distinction for heritage conservation, the hotel has preserved a series of nineteenth century Anglo-Chinese terraces. Today, this intimate property comprises eighteen suites with open-plan bathrooms, mezzanine floors, carved wooden four-poster beds, fine Peranakan antique furniture, handcrafted ceramics, and traditional art. The in-house restaurant, Kebaya, serves creative, refined versions of classic Malaysian and Straits Chinese cuisine, and bababar, the in-house bar and lounge, serves specially-selected wines, beers, and spirits. Other facilities include a pool, verandah and garden, luxury boutique selling vintage furniture and decorations, and even cooking classes.

Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa

Set on the outskirts of Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia’s most popular, well-developed beach, the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang contains thirty acres of tropical gardens, and is built in the distinct Minangkabau style, with unique roofs and pointed, triangular shapes. The resort’s 304 guestrooms, all of which feature complimentary Wi-Fi, LCD television, mini-bar and coffee/tea facilities, telephone, and satellite channels. There are three restaurants and cafes, serving grilled specialties, Peranakan, Malaysian, and other delicacies, and Oceanside dining. Facilities include two swimming pools, a health club, spa and sauna, tennis courts, and a golf course. The hotel lies forty-five minutes from Penang International Airport, and twenty minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown.

START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY

malaysia Goes Well With

EXPLORE OTHER ITINERARIES

FILTER TO SELECT YOUR ITINERARY

TRAVELOGUES

Ipoh: What to do in Malaysia’s Next Big Destination

Author : Nam Cheah

It's a little bit Penang, a little bit Cameron Highlands, and a little bit something new. Ipoh is a transitional destination on peninsular Malaysia worth a visit.

Inside the Blue Mansion of Penang

Author : John McMahon

Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion in Penang – recently garnering fame for its role in Crazy Rich Asians – is a blend of cultures, an architectural curiosity, and a luxury hotel in the heart of George Town.

Sino-Portuguese Phuket: The Quirky, Cultural Side of Thailand’s Party Island

Author : Ronan O'Connell

The resorts, beaches, and nightlife are all world famous, but there's a cultural side to Phuket, one that can be found in the sleepy streets of Phuket Town.

Review: Penang’s Historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Author : Ronan O'Connell

You may have heard of the luxury train, but you might not have heard of the hotel. The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is a mix of history and luxury on Malaysia's bumping island getaway of Penang.

Crazy Nice Hotels from Crazy Rich Asians for Sane Luxury Travelers

Author : Scott Rainen

Crazy Rich Asians put a lot of new eyes on Southeast Asia, and fans of the film will be pleased to know that Rachel and Nick were filmed in very real places throughout Singapore and Malaysia – places you can stay.

5 Penang Fine Dining Venues you Must Visit

Author : Myles Cummings

Malaysia's famous for its islands and wildlife, but smart travelers know to stop in Penang for some of the finest eats in Southeast Asia.

WHY CHOOSE US

Couple from Texas - Aman Jet Expedition, October 2016

“ We have used some of the top rated travel specialists all over the world and, without question, Catherine Heald and Remote Lands are at the very top of the list! ”

More Testimonials