The Harbour

The room is basic, with a small bathroom where the toilet and shower are right next to each other. There was a little mold at the sink and a hole in the living room carpet. The windows and walls are thin, so traffic from the busy road is easy to hear, along with people running around and laughing loudly at times. If you only need somewhere to sleep, it’s okay. If I come to Penang again, I’d pick another hotel.

The first day was a disaster, and it was raining while we had to walk with our luggage. We booked a “superior” room with the yellow sink and bathtub shown in the photos, but water was leaking through the bedroom wall when we arrived. They knew about it and thought it had been fixed, then texted to say we could change rooms. Of course we did. It looked as if they’d tried to paint over the leak, and the wall turned my finger blue when I touched it. They’d also changed the bed’s direction, making the already small room feel even smaller. The street noise was extremely loud. The bathroom wall opens onto the street, so we heard all the traffic from a very busy corner, from both sides. The room even came with earplugs. We’ve never stayed somewhere where earplugs seemed necessary for a good night’s sleep. They moved us to their other hotel, Georgetown Inn, a three-minute walk from the Harbour. That might have been fine, except they put us in a room with no windows. Who wants that? What if there were a fire, and where would the emergency exit be? The room was below what we’d expected from the photos and the price. They apologized by text, but offered no compensation for ruining our vacation. Never again. No to the Harbour and no to Georgetown Inn, the same company.

Ka Man was very helpful and even waived my deposit. The place is very clean and just like the pictures, though the soundproofing is poor, so don’t expect a five-star hotel. For a short stay it’s ideal, cheap, and good value for the price. The water dispenser is there, though I’d give the facilities 6/10. The location is 10/10 for me: near a bus stop and rapid van pickup, and a short walk to the ferry terminal and the heart of georgetown. Cleanliness and value are both 10/10. I’d stay again for a short visit and recommend it to anyone looking for a budget-friendly place. Overall, 9/10.

A well-equipped guest house in a very convenient spot, with lots of interesting attractions nearby. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for an easy place to stay.