With a rich culture, yummy street food and golden beaches, Penang Island is a popular destination for holidaymakers. These are our pick of the best luxury family resorts in Penang
Penang boasts a rich blend of cultures and religions, including Buddhist temples, mosques, and Chinese shrines. The island was established as a British colony in the 1700s with its capital, George Town, named for the British King George III. George Town quickly grew as a free port and was an important conduit for the spice trade.
Must-do activities in Penang include a cooking class at the Tropical Spice Garden, a ride up Penang Hill on the furnicular railway and a visit to Kek Lok Si Temple, Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple.
Kids will love Escape theme park, Penang Butterfly Farm and the night markets at Batu Feringgi.
Shangri-La Golden Sands
Rooms at Shangri-La Golden Sands overlook the gardens and ocean
Shangri-La Golden Sands is adjacent to sister property Shangri-La Rasa Sayang on Batu Feringgi beach.
This four-star property is super family-friendly with a huge resort pool, Splash Zone mini water park, daily activities programme, Adventure Zone and Kids' Club. The Adventure Zone features a huge indoor slippery dip that certainly keeps youngsters entertained.
If kids are engaged with the kids’ club, this is an excellent opportunity to slip next door to the quieter Shangri-La Rasa Sayang and indulge with a little spa time.
Shangri-La Golden Sands offers everything you would expect of a family-oriented hotel, with an extensive buffet breakfast and child-friendly menus.
Within a couple of minutes walking distance of the hotel is Batu Feringgi night market.
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang
The relaxed Shangri-La Rasa Sayang has a children's pool (image courtesy rasasayangresort on Instagram)
This glorious luxury beachfront resort is set amongst 30 lazy acres of landscaped gardens featuring century-old rain trees.
The property is located on the northern tip of Penang Island on Batu Feringgi beach and around 45-minutes from Penang International Airport.
The property has two wings, the Rasa Wing and the slightly more laid-back and recently renovated Garden Wing. Rooms overlook the lush gardens or the ocean.
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang offers multiple pools to cool off in, including a dedicated children’s pool, a pitch-and-putt golf course and there’s an 11-villa spa offering traditional Malay and Chinese treatments. Further facilities include three restaurants (check dress codes before booking) and two bars.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
There's loads of fun for kids at Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Kids will have a blast at Hard Rock Hotel Penang. The lively resort is located near the Malacca Straits.
There’s heaps of entertainment for children of all ages, including kids’ club Roxity Kids’ club is open daily until 8pm with plenty to keep children engaged including the chance to jam with the ‘Roxtars’ family of colourful characters. Younger children can access Lil’ Rockers with toys, games and a mini playhouse and older children can head to TABU Teen Club with football, pool, PlayStation and Mix DJ sessions.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang boasts one of the largest pools in Malaysia with underwater music. All up, there are three pools to cool off in. Private cabanas and pool toys are available to hire.
There are now fewer than seven dining spaces, including a pizzeria and Starz Diner for Malaysian classic dishes.
PARKROYAL Penang Resort
PARKROYAL Penang Resort is located on the golden sands of Batu Feringgi beach
Families will love this upscale resort located right next to the beach.
The property offers two swimming pools, including one with water slides, and there are lots of water sports offered down on the beach, as well as jet-ski hire and para-gliding opportunities (organised separately to the hotel).
More facilities include a fun kids’ club, a spa and a fitness centre. Bicycles are also available for rent.
Dining options include Cinnamon Asian Kitchen, the hotel’s main restaurant, for Western and Malaysian cuisine and a generous buffet breakfast with an egg station and local Penang dishes.
There are sunset cocktail options and alfresco dining at Uncle Zack By The Beach and kids can also order casual, family-friendly food poolside.
The Eastern & Oriental
Channel George Town's colonial past at the E&O (image courtesy Eastern & Oriental on Instagram)
The Grand Dame of George Town, the Eastern & Oriental hotel, colloquially known as the E&O, sits waterside and overlooking the Straits of Malacca. It was built in 1885 and is the only hotel located in the UNESCO World Heritage area of George Town.
It harks back to its illustrious colonial past with a great atrium containing a white grand piano, Asian antique furniture and an original gated lift which is still in use.
The two wings include the Heritage Wing which dates back to 1885 and the Victory Annexe Wing that was opened in 2013.
The hotel is centrally located with George Town easily accessible and the hotel concierge can also arrange drivers to take-in the sites if required.
Facilities include two pools including an infinity pool on the terrace of the Victory Annexe Wing.
Channel colonial times with a G&T at Planters Lounge overlooking the Straits of Malacca and dinner in the 1885 dining room. Meanwhile Sarkies serves a buffet three times a day featuring local and Western favourites.
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