Hotel Continental

A great place in a great location. I just wish the complimentary coffee came as plain coffee powder, with sugar and creamer in separate packets so guests can mix their own, instead of being three-in-one. The TV could use more channels too, since there were only 4.

The only thing I really liked was the location inside the WHS area. From parking to the room, I disliked the experience, especially with small kids and senior citizens. Parking is limited and the whole area is so narrow that car scratches are a concern. The hotel is very old, and the management feels old-school. The room condition and service were poor, while the price wasn't especially low. They charge a lot but don't provide a kettle or toiletries. There is carpet, so people sensitive to dust mites may have trouble, and they should provide sandals. We chose it because of the family room with 2 double beds. Otherwise, we would have picked somewhere nearby like Cititel or Bayview.

The location is good and the room was clean, but the stay ended with me filing a police report with the Malaysian police after an incident involving a staff member. Hotel management admitted the staff member was responsible. I lost several hours dealing with law enforcement over something that should never happen to a paying guest. Any stay that ends in a police report is a one-star experience for me. Nothing makes staff actions that bring the police into it acceptable.

It's an old hotel, and the noise barrier inside isn't very good. Most Western food places are about a 20+ minute walk away, farther than I first expected, though that also means less car noise. The service in Penang deserves 5 stars for being tourist-friendly. The shampoo was quite nice.