크라운 플라자 페낭 스트레이츠 시티 바이 IHG

The hotel is new, but the location is remote. It is very quiet and inconvenient to go shopping. It takes 10 minutes to drive to the town, but the atmosphere is quiet and not noisy. Although the hotel is advertised as a five-star hotel, I personally feel that the overall decor, design, rooms, facilities, and price are all four-star, and can be considered a high-end four-star or 4.5-star. So, in my opinion, if the average price of 300++ per night is considered medium or expensive for a four-star hotel, it is cheap for a five-star hotel. In addition, most Crowne Plaza hotels around the world are also four-star. (If not mistaken) Although the room is not big, it is comfortable to stay in. It has everything you need and the amenities are very complete. I personally like the design of the bathroom, which is very unique. The shower water is large and it is very clean. The rooftop swimming pool has a great view. It's very pleasant to watch the sunset in the evening. The gym is also very large and comfortable, and has all the necessary equipment. Overall, This Hotel Is highly Recommend.

Here’s a polished review based on your input: --- Hotel Crowne Plaza Penang: Honest Review Location and Check-In Experience The hotel lobby is located on the 8th floor, which is unique but could confuse first-time visitors. Unfortunately, the check-in experience was underwhelming. The receptionist didn’t provide essential information like lift usage, breakfast location, or the Wi-Fi password, which caused unnecessary hassle. Room & Amenities The hotel room is a standout feature—new, cozy, and modern with a minimalist Japanese Muji-inspired design. The lighting settings are advanced but slightly complicated; it took me a few minutes to figure out how to operate them. The equipment brands are reliable and exude confidence in quality. What impressed me the most were the motion and temperature sensors. Unlike many hotels, there’s no need for a room keycard to activate the electricity—a smart touch. Swimming Pool The swimming pool is spacious and offers a beautiful view. However, it lacks a separate children’s pool, making it less ideal for families. During my morning swim at 8:30 AM, I noticed an unpleasant rubber-processing odor, likely from nearby factories. Parking The parking setup requires patience, as it starts from the 4th floor and above, with multiple loops to navigate. Drivers need to proceed carefully. Breakfast Breakfast service begins early at 6:30 AM, which is convenient for business travelers. There’s a decent variety, including Asian delights, Western dishes, and fresh fruits. The coffee was excellent. However, the nasi lemak fell short of expectations—the sambal needs improvement, and the anchovies could be crispier. Overall Impression The hotel is ideal for couples and business travelers, offering excellent facilities and modern comforts. However, staff training on soft skills needs improvement to match the quality of the infrastructure. While some staff members were friendly, others lacked attentiveness. Final Verdict Pros: Modern, comfortable rooms Advanced amenities (motion/temperature sensors) Stunning pool view Breakfast variety and good coffee Cons: Mixed staff service quality Complex parking route Odor issue during morning swims Nasi lemak needs work If the staff enhances their service and attention to detail, this hotel could be a top-tier option for Penang visitors.

First of all, I assume because the hotel is quite new, some of the features felt “unfinished”. Cons: There are two lobbies, one for the retail and another for direct access to the hotel. The location is pinned at the retail lobby, which can cause some confusion since the retail space was still quite empty. Went up to check out the pool and it was simply disappointing. The pool was too small, no shade at all so it’s facing direct sunlight from the lounge chairs. Pros: The room itself was great, especially the very functional bathroom design. Well thought out with large mirrors behind the doors. Great service from front desk and other staff. The lobby is beautifully designed and the food was absolutely delicious. Room service was fast and they were able to accommodate an early lunch service. However, given that it’s a Crowne Plaza (IHG Premium), I was expecting something more. The whole experience was similar to staying at a Holiday Inn (IHG Essentials). I have stayed at both and the latter felt more deserving of the 5-star title.

I really like this hotel.. excellent service provided by staff. Very clean and environmental conscious. Great breakfast too. Ample parking space at various levels. At first it was confusing to find the lobby at 8th floor and parking is between 3rd and 7th but after a few times, it is easier. Nice view overlooking towards Penang island.

The bathroom was generally clean, but the shower drainage was quite slow. Water tended to accumulate while showering, which made it feel like the drain might be partially clogged. It would be great if this could be checked and improved for a better guest experience.