In the pre-pandemic world, we stayed at the Bayview Beach Hotel Penang in March 2019. Jay and I visited Penang for the first time and fell in love with the island in 2004. Truth be told we knew nothing about Penang or Malaysia for that matter. Our flights to Australia were on a special offer including 2 free internal flights in Malaysia.
Under the guidance of our travel agent, we decided to stop in Penang before heading to Sydney. We were quick to book the lowest-priced hotel on the beach and knew nothing of the area. We arrived at our hotel in Tanjung Bungah and it soon became apparent that there was nothing much around. At least not within walking distance.
The staff were wonderful and helpful. They advised us that life was a 5-minute taxi ride up the road in Batu Ferringhi. We headed up almost every evening for dinner, drinks and a wander around the night market. Picking up copies of CDs and DVDs. Only once did we make it during the day to see the beach.
The locals recommended us as the best on the island. That was probably down to the low prices of the drinks in the bars the night before! When got there in the day we jumped out of our taxi, walked a minute to the beach and the heavens opened! So we headed over the road to Nando’s to seek shelter!
Our great memories and the fact that we never did make it to the beach for the day meant Penang was high up on our list of places to re-visit. When an opportunity to meet our friends from Australia for a trip we jumped at it. This time I was sure to do my research well before booking our hotel. We needed to make sure we got the best one for both our families and our budgets.
Family of 5
As a family of 5 finding an affordable and comfortable hotel is no mean feat. This time I was tasked with finding a hotel suitable for 2 families of 5… Even more difficult! It’s one thing trying to please my family. Also trying and please another family halfway across the world is a different ball game! However, I came across the Bayview Beach Resort and it seemed to tick all the boxes.
- Beach front
- Close to the resort
- Large family rooms
- Breakfast available
- Affordable
On arrival, we were very impressed. We knew at the time of booking that the hotel was in the process of refurbishment. This wasn’t immediately obvious in the reception/foyer area. Our sea view room was granted after I requested it in an e-mail ahead of our arrival. Well, a side sea view but this was the best thing ever. It meant our room had two balconies, one which overlooked the sea and one that overlooked the mountains. This gave us the best of both worlds and a front-row seat for the most spectacular sunsets and thunderstorms.
Where is the Bayview Beach Hotel Penang located?
This perfectly located hotel is sandwiched between the Hard Rock Hotel and café and Frandy Beach bar. These two places couldn’t be more different. An iconic world-famous brand and a locally owned beachfront café with plastic chairs on the beach… Both were the only places we visited twice in the entire trip. With the large family-friendly pool within a stone’s throw of the gorgeous white sand, I do think you get the best of both worlds.
Family room
The room was the best room we’ve ever had as a family of 5. Aside from those views, the room was huge, with 2 rooms and 2 balconies we didn’t feel cramped at all. The master bedroom had a bed big enough for all 5 of us. I am not even exaggerating at all on more than one occasion we had all 3 kids come to join us in the morning and still had space. Luckily we also had a second bedroom that had 2 single beds plus a sofa so all the kids had their own space too. That alone was enough to make my trip. We’re so used to having to cram into space, this was a dream come true in my eyes!
Food glorious food
Breakfast was a buffet every morning with so much choice that there was no chance of any of us going hungry. Breakfast is a must for us if we are staying in a hotel rather than an apartment. To be able to fill up first thing means we can usually get away with snacks at lunchtime and go out for dinner in the evening. Not that Malaysia is expensive at all. Fresh fruit and cereals are my usual go-to for breakfast. The kids had pancakes or eggs most mornings. One of our friends had curry most days, but honestly, my poor little English stomach was just not up to curry before 4 pm!
Things to keep the kids entertained
One hidden gem in the hotel that I didn’t think would be such a hit with the family was the kid’s play area. I thought my children would be way too old for soft play. Still, we had to go and have a look and to be honest it was a lovely hour or so in the air conditioning during the midday heat. The staff were all so wonderful. They even taught us how to play a local board game while waiting for the kids!
Our stay in March 2019 meant we happened to be there only a few days before they began refurbishing the kid’s play pool and slides. However, the signs around the hotel were clear and we were able to make the most of the slides and splash park for the few days it was still there. I have heard it is better since the refurbishment too. A lovely way to let the kids burn off their energy whilst staying cool. Just a moment away from the main pool and pool bar too.
Day trips can be easily organised
The friendly hotel staff were so great for so many things but especially so the travel desk inside the doors. With a few day trips arranged in moments for a great price. The 10 of us travelled around the island to various locations.
We headed to the Botanic Gardens, Kek Lok si temple, George Town and Entopia butterfly farm to name a few. The prices were very reasonable with a full 6 hours minibus and driver hire for the 10 of us costing around £50. A trip that could not have been replicated on a coach with the chance to experience food at a hawker market only the locals eat at being one of our stops.
Penang’s night market was the one thing we loved on the first trip, and we couldn’t wait to visit again. We didn’t expect it to have grown to quite the size that it has in those 15 years we had been away. Now home to hundreds of stalls selling everything from fake football kits to handmade souvenirs with lots of food and drink stalls dotted between. It’s the perfect place to stroll through to walk off your evening meal.
It begins at dusk and finishes often past midnight. There was always plenty of time to stock up on our must-have items. We came away with home decor, football kits, and mobile phone accessories. It’s come a long way since the days of counterfeit DVDs that’s for sure!
Overall view of the Bayview Beach Hotel Penang
For anyone looking to visit Penang, I would highly recommend the Bayview Beach Resort. It’s not a world-famous brand like Hard Rock but that is a part of its beauty. With 11 hotels in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, Bayview Hotels are a family-run chain. After 2 stays in their hotels – this and the Bayview Eden in Melbourne, I would not hesitate to stay with them again.
For us as a family of 5, the location was great. At the end of the main road in Batu Ferringhi, close enough to walk to the amenities. Far enough away that there wasn’t much traffic noise or noise from the bars and restaurants.
Thank you for reading. I’d love to know if you know of any great hotels that have brilliant rooms for a family of 5. Let me know in the comments and share this with your friends. Penang is a great choice for a family visiting Malaysia for the first time.
The island has so much to see from gorgeous white sand beaches and UNESCO heritage sites to shopping centres and child-friendly interactive museums. Food choices to suit everyone but I would highly recommend the hawker stalls and small cafes as a contrast to the international food choices like Starbucks, Wendy’s and Hard Rock café.
If you are looking to book a stay at the Bayview Hotel and aren’t sure where to start, I’d recommend getting in touch with your local independent travel agent. Most of us know a thing or two about packaging your trips and in the current climate, a travel agent’s knowledge of travel restrictions is worth their weight in gold!
For those braver, independent travellers check out http://www.bayviewhotels.com
Check out my post about Batu Ferringhi here to find out more about the area.
Take Care
Becky x
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