Merbau Pulas Holidays from £1,066

Clean, spacious, newly furnished, but bedroom AC slightly weaker than I expected

I cannot recommend this hotel enough. The property is beautiful, but it’s the staff and service that truly set this place apart. Throughout my stay, all the staff were incredibly attentive, helped me find my way around the best local spots, and had the most positive and helpful attitude all round. The location was also perfectly placed in Georgetown, close to all the tourist spots whilst not being on a busy or noisy road. Breakfast was included and, much like the heritage of Penang itself, I was treated to a range of local delicacies reflecting the wide mix of cultures found across the island. The room itself was fantastic. I was actually upgraded to a bigger suite, and the bathroom has to be the standout feature, with a gorgeous tub placed perfectly beneath huge windows. The hotel offers a butler bath service where they draw you a bath and provide some divine tea to pair with your soak. The toiletries are all Aesop, and the hotel only has six rooms, paying homage to its heritage with lodging upstairs and a wonderful restaurant below. This is definitely worth the money. For the price, the level of personal service and those little luxury touches made it feel far more exclusive than the rate would suggest. If I’m being picky, the air conditioning was great, though only had an on/off setting rather than adjustable temp, which was a minor issue for me as I feel the cold easily. Between the staff and those little personal touches, I’m already looking for an excuse to go back.