AC Hotel by Marriott Penang

I had a nice stay at this little Mariott hotel. The rooms and gym had been refurbished recently. Staff were friendly and professional, including the foreign staff. There can be occasional noise, but it wasn't a dealbreaker. It's a good fit for business or solo travellers who want to avoid touristy areas, with Chinese and Mamak eateries nearby. One slightly unusual thing: the smart TV doesn't have Netflix.

The room was laid out nicely, with good air conditioning and pleasant views over Penang. I had a restful stay, and breakfast had a nice mix of pastries, cold meats and cheeses, yoghurts, chicken and beef sausages, hash browns, scrambled eggs, and local Malaysian food. I booked nearby after a late flight so I could get some sleep. Grab drivers cancelled on me twice, perhaps because the distance wasn't long, so I took the bus instead. It was very cheap, with an easy 10-minute walk involved. At the front desk I got a lovely welcome with no wait, and they showed interest in where I was from, which made me feel at home. It was the same at breakfast.

I was there for four nights on a business trip and found the stay pleasant and comfortable. The staff were friendly and courteous, and even though my room faced the lift lobby, it stayed quiet. The soundproofing worked well for a light sleeper. It's convenient for the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone and airport, with Chinese and mamak food within a 5-minute walk. The breakfast buffet was the main drawback. The selection was standard and barely changed over the few days. It wasn't a taste issue so much as Penang being a foodie heaven, with local food nearby much more appealing. The front desk staff member who checked me out could have been a bit more courteous, though she wasn't rude. Highly recommended!

I was there for business with my family, so this covers both the rooms and meeting rooms. The meeting room was clean. The coffee machine was okay, but the coffee was below average. They offered only one kind of tea, which I don't understand since breakfast had more options. Breakfast was decent and the food was nice, though a bit too salty at times. We booked a 2-bedroom suite, which is more like an apartment. Room 0855 was in very poor condition. The bathrooms were the only refurbished part, and the rest of the amenities were old. After one night I asked to move, and room 1854 was much better. Its amenities were still old, except for the toilet, but the room was maintained well. This kind of room might work if you're here with more than 4 people. There weren't enough plug points, and most were in the “office” area of the apartment. The kids' pool was clean.