Casa del Mar is a boutique hotel on Jalan Pantai Cenang, right in the heart of the island's busiest beach area and only about two minutes on foot from Cenang Beach. It is small and suite-based, with Beachfront and Seaview Studio Suites, some of them reserved for adults only, Seaview Junior Suites and Seaview Deluxe Suites, ranging from about forty to seventy square metres. Rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a large television, a kettle, bathrobes and a furnished balcony or patio. The hotel has an outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, a hot tub, a garden, a library and a spa that offers facials, manicures and reflexology. Its restaurant, La Sal, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a beachfront location, and there is a poolside bar and a terrace. It is rated four stars, and its scale makes it a calm alternative to the big resorts on the strip.
Location and getting around
The main advantage is position. The airport is only about eight minutes away by car, the beach is a couple of minutes' walk and the restaurants, shops and bars of Cenang are on the doorstep. Laman Padi and the rice museum are a short stroll away, Cenang Mall is about ten minutes on foot and Underwater World is within walking distance for those who do not mind the heat.
Free bicycle hire helps for short trips, and a limo service is available for longer ones. For the SkyCab, Kilim and the north coast you will want a taxi or driver, but most pickups can be arranged from any hotel on this strip.
Rooms and who it suits
Every room type is a suite, which means more space than a standard hotel room and a proper seating area. The adults-only studio suites make it an appealing choice for couples and honeymooners who want a calmer atmosphere, while the larger Seaview Junior and Deluxe Suites work for small families. Note that the adults-only designation applies to certain suite types, so check the room category carefully when you book, especially if you are travelling with children.
Good to know
Cooked-to-order breakfast is available for a surcharge on some rates, so compare the price against the cafes nearby. Check-in begins in the early afternoon and check-out is at noon, which suits late flights less well, so ask about luggage storage. Pets are not allowed. The strip outside can be lively in the evening, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper, and remember that the pool is small compared with the large resorts.
If you want a stylish, walkable base with real character, a beachfront restaurant and a short ride to the airport, Casa del Mar is one of the best-placed small hotels on Cenang, and it pairs well with a few days in a larger resort elsewhere on the island.
Why stay here
- ✓Two minutes on foot to Cenang Beach
- ✓Suite-only accommodation
- ✓Adults-only studio suites
- ✓Outdoor pool and hot tub
- ✓La Sal beachfront restaurant
- ✓Satkara Spa
- ✓Free bicycle hire and free parking
- ✓Library and garden
Good questions
How far is Casa del Mar from Cenang Beach?+
It is about a two-minute walk to the sand, with the restaurants and shops of the Cenang strip close by. The airport is roughly eight minutes by car.
Are there adults-only rooms?+
Yes, the beachfront and seaview studio suites are adults only. The junior and deluxe suites are not restricted, so check the room type when booking.
Does the hotel have a pool?+
Yes, it has an outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas and a hot tub. It is small compared with the big resorts nearby.
