Vistana Hotel and Residences Bukit Jambul, Penang - Value for Money
Vistana Hotel and Residences Penang, owned by YTL Hotels, is a great find for us as we have families nearby. It is clean. Service was good. But the location is a serious downside as it is about 30 mins drive to Georgetown. A car is needed to get around Penang island. But on the bright side it is about 15 mins to Bayan Lepas airport and the humongous Queensbay Mall, 10mins drive away. There are lots of Mamak, Chinese, hawkers stall within walking distances.
Seafood lovers would like to go to Batu Maung (use costal highway) where aquacultured fresh seafood is easily available in Chinese restaurants. Most of them are near the sea or on top of it. For those who love ikan bakar there are plentiful at night run by Malays operators. I like the one by the beach in the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone area and also Teluk Tempoyak.
It is also a good place to launch out for the round Penang island tour as the hilly roads start nearby. Balik Pulau (is a logical stop for Penang Laksa and fresh nutmeg juice. Read my post on Balik Pulau Laksa. Then cool off at Titi Kerawang waterfalls (easy parking and footpath accessibility - be reasonably fit).
Then have more fresh juices or even tour the farm (by van) in Tropical Fruit Farm (read my post) as you head towards the northwest into Teluk Bahang. Visit Penang Foresty Museum and Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang. Good exercise. More seafood restaurants nearby. Or drive towards Batu Feringgi, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjong Tokong and Gurney Drive. A bit further you are in the heart of Georgetown. Use coastal highway to head back to Bukit Jambul.
Vistana can be booked through the Internet. I have good experiences using holidaycity and www.novotel.com/gb/home/index.shtml to book different hotels. For Vistana try www.asiarooms.com or www.holidaycity.com or www.asiatravel.com or call directly to Vistana.
If you have a group go for the 2 (+1) or 3 rooms apartments. RM265 and RM325 incl. ++ respectively. No Breakfast. The 3rd room in 2-rooms apartment have a single bed and fan. It is meant I suppose for the maid. The air-con outdoor unit is positioned just outside the window of this small room and the noise is irritating and can disturb the light sleeper.
The 3-rooms apartment has 2 rooms with King size bed and 1 room with a Queen size bed. The security is good and movement control by card.
Note: Opinions are personal and I may also make factual mistakes. Please correct me if you find mistakes. I have not received any monies or incentives in any form for this post. Please check carefully different offers as they vary with different websites and also during different seasons/time periods.
Hotel Address: 213 Jalan Bukit Gambir, Bukit Jambul, Penang
Tel: 604 646 8000
Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom Spacious and King size bed. 
2nd room with Queen size bed. Ask for a twin beds if available.
Single bed. Fan only. More of a room for the maid.
Lounge with Satellite TV. Air-con. Comfy and nice to chit-chat.
Kitchen with full set of 'kah chang' for meals for 4-5 persons. Dining. Air-con.
Pretty views from 18th Floor of the 28th floors hotel.
Seafood lovers would like to go to Batu Maung (use costal highway) where aquacultured fresh seafood is easily available in Chinese restaurants. Most of them are near the sea or on top of it. For those who love ikan bakar there are plentiful at night run by Malays operators. I like the one by the beach in the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone area and also Teluk Tempoyak.It is also a good place to launch out for the round Penang island tour as the hilly roads start nearby. Balik Pulau (is a logical stop for Penang Laksa and fresh nutmeg juice. Read my post on Balik Pulau Laksa. Then cool off at Titi Kerawang waterfalls (easy parking and footpath accessibility - be reasonably fit).
Titi Kerawang Waterfalls - we have a ball of a time here as the water was clean and crisp.
Then have more fresh juices or even tour the farm (by van) in Tropical Fruit Farm (read my post) as you head towards the northwest into Teluk Bahang. Visit Penang Foresty Museum and Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang. Good exercise. More seafood restaurants nearby. Or drive towards Batu Feringgi, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjong Tokong and Gurney Drive. A bit further you are in the heart of Georgetown. Use coastal highway to head back to Bukit Jambul.Vistana can be booked through the Internet. I have good experiences using holidaycity and www.novotel.com/gb/home/index.shtml to book different hotels. For Vistana try www.asiarooms.com or www.holidaycity.com or www.asiatravel.com or call directly to Vistana.
If you have a group go for the 2 (+1) or 3 rooms apartments. RM265 and RM325 incl. ++ respectively. No Breakfast. The 3rd room in 2-rooms apartment have a single bed and fan. It is meant I suppose for the maid. The air-con outdoor unit is positioned just outside the window of this small room and the noise is irritating and can disturb the light sleeper.
The 3-rooms apartment has 2 rooms with King size bed and 1 room with a Queen size bed. The security is good and movement control by card.
Note: Opinions are personal and I may also make factual mistakes. Please correct me if you find mistakes. I have not received any monies or incentives in any form for this post. Please check carefully different offers as they vary with different websites and also during different seasons/time periods.
Hotel Address: 213 Jalan Bukit Gambir, Bukit Jambul, Penang
Tel: 604 646 8000
Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom Spacious and King size bed. 
2nd room with Queen size bed. Ask for a twin beds if available.
Single bed. Fan only. More of a room for the maid.
Lounge with Satellite TV. Air-con. Comfy and nice to chit-chat.
Kitchen with full set of 'kah chang' for meals for 4-5 persons. Dining. Air-con.
Comments
Our favourite lodging place is always near the bright lights when we are with gang and not family !
That could be the difference between good & bad hotels ( from one point of view ) tho our best family xperience with Pg Hotels is the Casuarina near the clean sands and sea in Batu Feringgi & not even Hotel Equatorial as being too isolated
ck lam
www.what2seeonline.com
BSG... There will be times for bright lights and loud music :-)
Boo_licious... A good place for a quiet eating holiday near to nature, fresh fruits and fishes!
CKLam... Very comfy and security system is good.
LfB... Make sure you drive up. It modern thriving on the North-eastern end and quaint in many areas. Nice kampung houses, swaying coconut trees....