Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang

The pool and scenery were beautiful, and the dining team was the best part of the stay. Encik Mohamed Jamal at the breakfast counter and the rest of the team were friendly and well-trained. Getting there and checking in was a hassle. It was crowded, parking was hard to find, and we waited about 15 minutes for the buggy. Check-in then took another 15 to 30 minutes. An Indian lady greeted us with a sour face, though the staff at the reception counter itself were friendly. The room showed its age, with peeling wood. It gave me the impression that management was trying to cut costs. For the price, I’d probably choose another hotel with better value and quality, so I don’t think I’d return.

The room was only average, and the soundproofing was so poor that we could clearly hear noise from outside and nearby rooms. Even the hair dryer was tucked away inside a drawer, which was inconvenient. The pool looked dirty and poorly maintained, so I wasn’t comfortable using it. We arrived around 2:10pm, although check-in was listed as 3:00pm, and the room still wasn’t ready. I asked several times, but even at 4:00pm all I was told was that it hadn’t been cleaned. That’s a bad arrangement for a hotel at this price. The RM178 seafood dinner buffet was a letdown. There wasn’t much to choose from, some seafood was cold, and the grilled seafood wasn’t replenished. Desserts were average, and the food tasted worse than ordinary hawker food. It felt poorly managed and nowhere near worth RM178. Breakfast was messy too. The room was unpleasant and badly arranged, the food was very ordinary for this price range, and cups, plates, and other basics were often out. Staff didn’t seem to manage the flow, and the dining area felt understaffed and poorly organized. The service, cleanliness, food, facilities, and room comfort all fell well short of expectations. The hotel charges like a premium place but gave us a poor experience. I wouldn’t return or recommend it.

We spent 4 days 3 nights with family, in rooms 326 and 328, which were connecting rooms. The pool was nice and the kids enjoyed it. Breakfast was acceptable, but the menu was the same every day with little new to try. The cleanliness was a big problem. The carpet was dirty, towels were stained, the drawers were very dusty, and even the bathroom racks hadn’t been wiped. The corridor was dusty too, and we saw the same trash in the same spot every day. The latch on the door in room 326 was broken from the time we checked in and wouldn’t open. Luckily we had a connecting room, so we didn’t make a fuss. I know it’s an old building, but keeping it clean matters. It wasn’t worth what I paid, and I definitely won’t come back. Thanks for the horrible experience.

The breakfast team made us feel welcome, especially Mdm Munis and Miss Nurin. Their hospitality and service gave us a lovely start to the day. We stayed on 8th and 9th June, and everything from parking through check-in went smoothly. Thanks to the whole team for making the stay enjoyable.