Deview Hotel Penang

The rooms on the fifth floor by the lift are directly under the restaurant. We could hear chairs scraping, furniture moving, and music from events. The front desk said it was open until 11 pm, so we had to put up with it until then. When we asked to move, they offered a room two floors lower with a king bed instead of twin beds. The room itself was only okay, a bit musty and not very clean. The pillows smelled sweaty, and the bed linen was old. It's a wet-room bathroom, with the sink outside, so there's not much privacy and it isn't quiet at night. Rooms get like hotboxes during the day and need a lot of air conditioning. The corridor is long and noisy, and guests walking back after restaurant functions have woken us up. The air conditioner leaks too, so we had bins catching the drips. Not a good stay, and I personally wouldn't return.

There are good hawkers nearby, and you can reach Georgetown in 20-40 minutes by Grab or bus. The place itself was just okay. We couldn't get an extra room key, and the bed had stains and hair when we checked in. I asked for it to be changed and they said okay, but they didn't actually change it. There was also a really foul smell in the toilet, seemingly coming from above, like a mix of cigarettes and toilet odour.

The experience was good overall. A couple of things could be better: the bathroom door doesn't lock, and the soundproofing is only okay. If you drive, you also have to scan your payment card in the lobby every time you leave the car park.

DeView Hotel is a practical mid-range place to stay if you're visiting Penang Hill. The Lower Station is only a few minutes away by car, or a short Grab ride, and Kek Lok Si Temple is about 10 minutes away. Local markets, eateries, quiet residential streets, food courts, and mini markets are nearby, with a peaceful feel away from the tourist crowds. It's a handy base for exploring Air Itam and the surrounding sights, especially for a short stay or weekend trip. The rooms are simple, modern, and clean, with comfortable beds, good air conditioning, and large windows that often look out onto greenery. They're modest in size but have basics like a kettle, TV, and fast Wi-Fi. Some have small balconies. Housekeeping does a good job, and the bathrooms are tidy, with strong water pressure and hot showers. The hotel is well maintained and clean. Staff are polite, responsive, and happy to help with directions, taxi bookings, or food suggestions. It's not luxury-level service, but it works well for the price. I'd rate the location 4/5, rooms 4.5/5, cleanliness 4.5/5, service 5/5, and value 4.5/5. This isn't a luxury resort, but it's affordable, quiet, comfortable, and well placed for Penang Hill and other attractions.