Hotel Royal Penang
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel Royal Penang is a budget 4-star where you trade a dated, renovation-due building for genuinely spacious rooms, a pool and a gym at a price that's hard to argue with.
Hotel Royal Penang is a budget 4-star where you trade a dated, renovation-due building for genuinely spacious rooms, a pool and a gym at a price that's hard to argue with.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
There's no mystery to what Hotel Royal Penang is selling — spacious rooms at a price that's low for a 4-star. The overall review score sits around 7.3/10, below the top picks on the list, but the price tag keeps it in the running for a lot of travelers. The rooms are genuinely roomy and comfortable, with beds and the usual in-room basics covered, and for the money you get a lot of floor space. The honest part: the condition and decor are ageing and feel dated rather than modern, and reviewers say outright that the place is due for a renovation. This works for anyone who weights space and price over a fresh fit-out.
Food and amenities
There's a pool and a gym on site, which is a solid set of facilities at this rate. The catch is that the pool is small, and several reviews note the area around it isn't always well kept. Breakfast is standard and unremarkable — nothing flashy, just a way to start the day. The bright spot is the staff: reviewers repeatedly describe them as friendly and helpful, and that goodwill does a lot to keep the overall impression positive even with the older building.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits in central George Town, near the shopping area and the old-town heritage sights, so you can wander the street art and Penang's food on foot — the location is the one advantage here you can't argue with. From Penang International Airport (PEN) it's about 16 km, roughly a 30 to 40-minute drive.
Things to know before booking
Go in clear-eyed. The building and facilities are ageing and many reviews call for a renovation, so the decor and room condition won't feel modern. The pool is small and the poolside isn't always kept up. And this is value over true 4-star polish — you're paying for room space and a low rate, not a stylish or updated finish. If any of those are dealbreakers, look at another option on the list.
Our take
Hotel Royal Penang is for families and travelers who put big rooms and a low rate first. If you'll trade a fresh, modern hotel for spacious rooms plus a pool at a 4-star price that's genuinely cheap, this delivers — starting near $34 a night. But if the state of the building matters to you, scroll on to a newer pick.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Rooms are spacious and comfortable — plenty of reviewers single out the floor space, with beds and in-room basics covered for a relaxed stay.
- The rate is genuinely low for a 4-star, starting around $34 a night, which is the main reason travelers keep weighing it up.
- There's a pool and a gym on site, so you get the facilities without paying a premium.
- Central George Town location puts you near the shopping area and the old-town sights, with street art and Penang's food an easy walk away.
- Staff get steady praise in reviews for being friendly and helpful, which lifts the overall impression even with the older building.
- The building and facilities are ageing — a fair number of reviews say the hotel needs a renovation, and the room fit-out and decor feel dated rather than modern.
- The pool is small, and reviewers note the poolside isn't always kept up well, so don't expect a polished resort-style swim.
- This is value over true top-tier 4-star quality; you're paying for room space and a low rate, not a fresh or stylish finish.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Penang
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Penang — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Book during a promotion — the rate on these big rooms drops a long way, which is when this 4-star is at its best value.
- Don't come expecting new and modern; treat it as space and price first, and the ageing building won't bother you.
- Use the central location to walk to the shopping area and the old-town sights rather than relying on transport.