Areca Hotel Penang is a good-value hotel in downtown George Town, on Jalan Khoo Sian Ewe, a short walk from KOMTAR and about seven minutes on foot from the UNESCO heritage zone. It has 50 rooms, a garden, a library, a restaurant and a free kids' club, and its rooms include heritage-style rooms and lofts as well as family suites. Chowrasta Market and a children's play venue are about two minutes away on foot, and the Blue Mansion is under ten minutes. The hotel is a practical, pleasant base for travellers who want to be central, eat well and keep costs down. It has no pool, so it suits those who spend the day on the street rather than by the water.
Location and getting around
The hotel stands on the edge of the old town, just outside the busiest heritage lanes. KOMTAR, the bus hub and shopping complex, is a five-minute walk, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is around nine minutes and the heritage zone is a seven-minute walk.
Pasar Chowrasta, a traditional market with fruit, spices and snacks, is two minutes away. Penang International Airport is about a 27-minute drive, and ride-hailing cars reach the door easily. The old town streets are flat, so most sights are within a walking distance, though midday heat is best avoided.
Rooms
The 50 rooms come in four types. Garden Rooms are the smallest, at about 18 square metres with a queen bed, while the Heritage Room on the ground floor and the Heritage Loft are around 40 square metres, with a king bed or two large twin beds. The Family Suite is about 48 square metres and sleeps four with two double beds, which makes it a good value for families of four.
Rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a refrigerator, an electric kettle, rainfall showers and a flat-screen television. Parking is limited, so confirm availability if you are driving.
Dining and facilities
The restaurant serves breakfast cooked to order for a charge, and guests mention afternoon tea. The hotel is a short walk from a huge choice of hawker stalls and cafes, so many guests eat out for all other meals. The hotel offers a garden, a library, a business centre, one meeting room, luggage storage and a limousine service. The front desk is staffed around the clock, staff speak several languages and can help with tours and tickets. A free kids' club is a bonus for families. Pets are not allowed.
Who it suits and good to know: families on a budget, food-focused travellers who want to be near the markets and independent visitors who plan to spend their days walking the old town. It is not a resort, so there is no pool or beachfront, and the neighbourhood around KOMTAR is busier and less picturesque than the heritage lanes.
Rooms vary in age and style, so read the description before you book and ask for a quieter floor if noise matters. Check-in is in the afternoon and check-out is at noon. Check when you book for free cancellation options and what your rate includes.
Why stay here
- ✓Heritage-style rooms and lofts
- ✓Family suites for four
- ✓Walk to KOMTAR and Chowrasta Market
- ✓Restaurant with cooked-to-order breakfast
- ✓Garden and library
- ✓Free kids' club
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Free Wi-Fi and air conditioning
Good questions
Does Areca Hotel have a pool?+
No pool is offered, so it suits travellers who spend their time exploring the old town.
How far is it from the heritage area?+
About a seven-minute walk to the UNESCO heritage zone and about nine minutes to the Blue Mansion. KOMTAR is five minutes away.
Is it good for families?+
Yes. There is a Family Suite for four, a free kids' club and a market and play venue within a couple of minutes' walk.
