STAY
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa
Although many visitors to Penang come for the sights and charms
of historic George Town, many stay on and head up the coast to
sample the tropical delights of Batu Ferringhi, Penang’s premier
beachfront address, and one of the premier 5-star properties lining
this strip of white sand is Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa.
Taking up almost 30-acres, this lavish getaway, designed with nods
to traditional Malaysian style, offers an almost limitless choice of
accommodations, spread across the 189-room Garden Wing and
the 115-room Rasa Wing. Enjoy scenic views, satellite TV, mini
bar, a bathroom with tub, and access to the resort’s mammoth
swimming pool and recreation area, as well as the ocean at your
doorstep. Diners can enjoy sunset views and sample an array of
sumptuous cuisine at the contemporary Western-style Feringgi
Grill, or savour the mouth-watering dishes at the Spice Market
Café, the hotel’s main restaurant, which boasts an absolutely
enormous, and incredibly varied, breakfast buffet.
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa
Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Tel: +604 888 8888
www.shangri-la.com/penang/rasasayangresort
GETTING AROUND
EAT
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery
Specializing in pork, but also offering up great regional
dishes such as Aubergine with tangy tamarind sauce,
and Otak Otak – a seasoned and spiced fish paste
blended with coconut milk – this eatery is located at
th e north end of the Whiteaways Arcade.
1 Lebuh Bishop
Tel: +604 263 8121
Cooking Samosas, Little India
www.rapidpg.com.my
Tek Sen Restaurant
Despite the fluorescent lights and metal tables, diners
by the dozens flock to this boisterous old-school eatery
that dishes up Cantonese, Teowchew, Hakka and
Peranekan delights. Try the amazing Black pepper
chicken, or the signature Char Siew Back – double
roasted pork fried with chili padi.
GETTING THERE
18 & 20, Lebuh Carnarvon
Tel: +604 263 8121
Night Noodles, Lebuh Chulia
CLIMATE
George Town features a tropical rainforest climate, and
George Town itself experiences relatively consistent
temperatures all year, with average highs of about
31°C. Penang’s driest months are also the coolest,
usually from late December through to the end of
February.
TOUR
To make the most of your time in George Town, visit the
Penang Global Tourism information centre, located
in the Whiteaways Arcade, and look through their
extensive collection of travel information. They can
even organize specialized Culture & Heritage tours
as well as Nature & Adventure tours.
mypenang.gov.my
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Taxis from the airport to George Town
or Batu Ferringhi are plentiful, with
fixed rates set in advance, but while
in George Town it’s often best to hire a
colourful trishaw – a bicycle powered
rickshaw – for sightseeing around the
city. Meanwhile Rapid Penang has
excellent low cost, and frequent, bus
service operating between George
Town and Batu Ferringhi.
Although the dual carriageway Penang
Bridge tollway connects George Town
to the mainland of Malaysia, and an
inexpensive ferry boat travels to and
from Medan in Sumatra (Indonesia),
the Penang International Airport is by
far the most convenient access point
for travelers. Malaysia Airlines offers
direct flights here from Singapore, as
well as convenient connecting flights
via their main hub in Kuala Lumpur.
For fast and easy online booking, visit:
www.malaysiaairlines.com
Special thanks to Malaysia Airlines for
their generous sponsorship of this trip.