Cocoa Mews Cafe & Homestay - Hostel

A fantastic bargain in the area. I spent five nights with Arthur and the rest of the team, and had a great stay. The shared bathrooms were kept very clean, and the little kitchen was handy. We enjoyed homemade breakfast each morning.

Cocoa Mews was a great fit for my first trip to Penang. I wanted somewhere friendlier than a big hotel but didn’t want a dorm hostel’s usual crowd. This felt like a good middle ground, a social hostel atmosphere in a small boutique guesthouse, at a more reasonable price. Art, Amit, and Howie, thanks so much 🫶🏼 The house was clean, and thoughtful extras helped me feel at home: veggie breakfast, snacks, and useful bits like bite cream and feminine products. The WhatsApp group brought the guests together, so I had a little crew to explore with, while still being able to spend time alone in my room or the shared kitchen. The whole of Georgetown was walkable, with public transport for farther trips. It was handy to come back for air conditioning, the toilet, and a water refill between sights. I was nervous it might feel cramped or noisy because it’s popular and often fully booked. During my week, all seven bedrooms were occupied by solo travelers, including longer term travelers and digital nomads. There was no bathroom queue, everyone was considerate and quiet, and I made travel friends. My room at the back had a window and stayed peaceful, even with the call to prayer and people walking on the wooden floors. The air conditioning made good white noise, and I wore earplugs too. I can’t say whether it would have felt the same with more people. It might be crowded and less comfortable for someone as noise-sensitive as me, and the group might not come together in the same way. The owners also accept family bookings, so there could be children around, which I wouldn’t have enjoyed. That’s a risk each person has to weigh. I’ll return, but I’ll probably check who else is booked first. One small thing: the mattress was very soft and could be due for replacement. Penang is extremely hot, and while the room air conditioning worked well, the shared area and bathrooms got stuffy and sweaty. I know the owners keep making comfort upgrades, including plans to add more fans in the kitchen.

The friendly welcome and handy location made this a great little budget hostel in George Town, Penang. The owners are so kind, and there are some lovely cats around too. They provide water, bread, and coffee. A good choice if you love cats!

Breakfast was a real highlight, with the team tailoring it to what different guests wanted to try. Everyone was super helpful while we were there, and we loved staying at Cocoa mews. I'd happily recommend it.