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Discover Penang's vibrant culture and heritage at Gurney Bay Hotel, a PARKROYAL Hotel, just steps from the famous Gurney Drive. Enjoy ocean or Penang Hill views from one of 368 elegantly appointed rooms. Savor international cuisine at The Café, unwind at the Lobby Lounge, and host events in our hotel. Your perfect getaway in Penang awaits!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Bay View
Harbour View
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Malay
Location
53 Persiaran Gurney, George Town, Penang Island 10250 Malaysia
Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel
4 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Firstly loved the location of this hotel but there were issues in the two days I stayed.
Firstly check in was anything but seamless. Tried charging me again for Malaysian tax and when I said I had payed when booking they made me find the evidence and did not like it when I was able to produce it.
The 'high speed' internet rarely worked and this was frustrating when relying on wifi.
Took 25mins to get warm water in shower, which is a huge waste of water.
I'm glad the deal I got only cost $2 extra for breakfast because, oh dear what chaos!! No tables, lots of empty items and not refilled for a long time. Please either book less rooms or increase kitchen capacity.
Also disappointed that the chef offered rotis to others who were waiting less time that I was before he passed (almost shoved) it to me.
And please sort out the maze of entering the pool. I don't want to walk through smelly toilets for a swim.
Room was fine, old hotel but clean and tidy.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Good location for a bed. Wouldn't worry about breakfast and walk to one of the many options nearby
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love the hotel. Strategic location. Facing the park and beach. Within walking distance to malls and food outlets. The room is very spacious, looks like recently refurbished. The beds are very comfortable. Cleanliness are top notch. They provide welcome fruits and soft drinks in the room. Even have full set complimentary toiletteries, of which most hotels do not provide anymore. Overall, we are extremely happy to stay here. The staff are friendly and attentive.
We heard that there will be new management taking over the hotel from Sept24 onwards. Hope the service will be as good.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The room is big, with a king bed, a complimentary soft drink (2 cans), and some fruit. The location is nice, walking distance to many eateries. But do note that this is a long-established hotel, meaning it is old and dated. TV could not be watched as the signal was too bad. If you are out all day and just need a place to sleep, for the price charged, this is an okay stay.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The smell in the air was not fresh, there needs to be some sort of fresh air into the rooms. The rooms are in a desperate need of refurbishment, especially the carpets. They need a steam clean as they were so worn out and dirty. Our toilet was not working on the first night and the next day, the water in the sink would not go down and the bathroom door stopped closing properly. We found old dirty socks beside the bedside table when we were trying to use the plugs. The apples that were in the room were definitely not fresh. The restaurant seemed to be empty the whole time we were there, so we were careful not to go there due to the standards of the room as well.
On a positive note, the tennis courts were great and the pool looked good too (though we didn't go in). There was parking in the hotel, free of charge, which was convenient. The drinks provided in the room were thoughtful.
Price-wise, the hotel was not bad value, but it should not be rated as a five star.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We chose the Gurney Bay hotel as it was the nearest hotel, under the GHA portfolio, to Georgetown.
It had recently become a Park Royal property and the website showed it looking comfortable, if a little unexciting. It also stated that renovations has started.
We arrived hours later than expected due to a flight delay and just looked forward to a shower, refresh and going for dinner.
Check-in wasn’t rude but not what we would call friendly. Oddly no recognition to top-tier status was given but nothing to fret about.
The whole property just looks dated and in need of urgent refurbishment, It could be called grand but its glory days were many decades ago. I think of it like an old people’s retirement home.
I had paid for a room category below a suite but aside from a sea view it didn’t resemble ANY of the pictures shown. It was also right beside the elevator; I always ask, politely for, if possible a higher floor away from the elevator.
Simply put the room was shabby. Of special note is the wallpaper. The room was covered, all over in an awful maritime theme of ship wheels, compasses and anchors. It was more suited to a theme park hotel than a deluxe room. I have included a pic of it in all its glory.
I actually started to look for other places to stay. Heading for dinner we passed the front desk. I nicely asked if we had been allocated the correct room. I don’t often use my status but I did mentioned that we would usually get a double upgrade, welcome amenities etc but none of this had been offered.
When we returned from dinner we had been moved to a city-view suite which was appreciated. Again the out dated decor and furnishings were evident. They even had to use extension cables with plugs to allow charging of phones beside the bed; USB charging capability - don’t be silly! We did like the view!
Breakfast was busy but fine, though both days they had to go and check with the front desk that we were allowed in! A la carte is not an option.
The pool area was closed, due to private events utilising the space, but I believe it overlooks the beach area.
Only on checking-out did was our Titanium status recognised, as we were asked if we wished to use Discovery Dollars towards our bill.
I did ask when the renovations were due to start and was told “Soon”. This response sums up the stay very well; lacklustre and underwhelming.
Recently I had to contact the hotel for a copy of my invoice as our stay was not credited and still await a response.
A disappointing stay on so many levels and we most likely would not return, unless the mooted renovations happen and service is vastly improved.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Wait until the refurbishment happens!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Leon Ni Chew, Marketing at Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel
Responded 5 days ago
Dear Dr Tuck, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your stay at Gurney Bay Hotel, A PARKROYAL Partner Hotel. We sincerely apologize that your experience did not meet your expectations and appreciate your insights, as they help us improve our services. We understand your concerns regarding the room condition, facilities, and service, and we truly regret any inconvenience caused. Please be assured that we are working on improvements, including planned renovations, to enhance our guests’ experience. We appreciate your time in sharing your thoughts and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future for a much-improved stay. Simply Yours, Benny Chung General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Evergreen International Hotel is located at Gurney Drive, Penang. This is one of the oldest hotels in this area; the hotel has complete facilities, such as a restaurant, a big car park connected to the hotel, a swimming pool, a gym, and spa facilities.
The location was surrounded by local food center and mall. The room has a sea view and city view. The service was great.
The most affordable hotel in Gurney with full hotel facilities. It's a popular hotel among mature people.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked 8 rooms for 15 people withwith breakfast. We had vegitarians and non vegitarians. The morning breakfast did not have option for vegitarians. We were told the hotel does not cater for vegitarians. After a bit of negotiations they decided to provide fried rice and noodles for the vegetarian every day. After the second day the whole group was very unhappy with the quality of food and service. We all cancelled breakfast.
Rooms were good and Specious the mini bar was free which contained 2 bottles of water and 3 cans of drinks only plus point.
Check In Check in process were well prepared and organised. However, the whole group was charged deposit of RM 2,000/- . For those who paid debit card were charged straight away. For those who paid by credit card, the amount was placed on hold, confirming the hold will be cancelled in 24 hours after full settlement.
Check out - worst experience ever 1. Invoice for other purchases at bar ext were not attached to the main invoice.
2. Each group were charged differently. Each and every line had to be checked. As for 3 couples who left early in the morning didn't even have enough staff to check the invoice. Some were charged more some less, some correct.
3. All of us were requested make final payment. They charged again for the people paid by debit card for the second time. For those who paid by credit card the hold was released only after 5 days. Not as mentioned at check in. Ridiculous.
Staff Restaurant staff some were good, some were too slow. Reception check in staff were good. Check out staff very incompetent. I had to make international calls 4 times to discuss my invoice and get the hold cleared, the staff who answered the phone were very sarcastic, kept asking me to call back saying the manager was not available.
Over all hospitality and services 👎 very poor. Will not recommend this hotel to anyone.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When I booked this hotel, I tried my luck by writing a remark that we would like to early check-in as our flight was early in the morning. I was surprised that I received a message to ask what time we wanted to check-in. They said they will try to let us check-in by 12pm but it ends up we still need to wait until 2pm. We need to pay RM6 (I forgot what is it for? By the way, I'm a Malaysian). The parking is free for hotel guests, you just need to provide your room number or show them the room key if anyone requests a parking fee from you. There is a station of rental bikes right in of the hotel entrance. The room was really spacious although it was kind of old. If you have time, do bring your swimming suit or gym attire as they have some good facilities. They have a small little gym with ample machines and a reasonable size swimming pool. The jacuzzi and sauna are separated for males and females. They have places for you to take a bath, change and dry after using their facilities. The hotel is strategically located nearby gurney plaza and paragon mall. The gurney hawker center is within walking distance too. Overall, we're satisfied with our stay.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Free parking for hotel guest. Bike rental at hotel entrance. Car rental behind hotel. Shopping...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On business trip for 6 days. Great service - had fresh fruit, bottle water and soda stocked daily for free. Included breakfast had full buffet of western, Indian and noodles. Staff learned I liked to have Coca Cola with my breakfast and had it ready each morning. Decor is a little dated but everything is very clean and attended to
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you want a quiet and peaceful place to sleep, this hotel is perfect. The room is clean, very spacious and very posh. The bathroom is wonderful. The recep service is efficient and friendly. For shopping at gurney plaza, you need to walk about 10 mins if you don't drive. There is not much streetfood near the hotel, you need to go for restaurants. There is gurney hawker centre, but only the char kway teow is tasty. For authentic streetfood, you need to go Georgetown. The location is a little far from Georgetown, so you need to take Grab to tourist places in Georgetown.The buffet breakfast is very disappointing. Basically, you should only book this hotel if you have a car to get around or you don't mind taking grab rides every day.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penang Island, Malaysia178 contributions67 helpful votes
HI, you can request from the reservation.
per my previous experience in other local hotels, they may arrange for early check in for you provided they have extra rooms, sometimes, they may request the guest to wait for an hour or 2 for them to do quick housekeeping, in order to release the room earlier for the guest.
There are more places to choose from in the George Town area.
PRICE RANGE
RM 244 - RM 387 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
evergreen laurel georgetown, hotel evergreen laurel
LOCATION
MalaysiaPenangPenang IslandGeorge Town
NUMBER OF ROOMS
368
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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