GAIA Hotel

I found this hotel during a last-minute short trip to Penang. The room was clean, spacious, and quiet, and both the AC and heater worked well. There’s dedicated parking, though spaces are limited. It wasn’t full during my stay, but could fill up in high season. The front desk manager was very helpful too.

A decent budget hotel. Parking is limited, but there was enough for all the guests. The room was okay, and there’s no refrigerator, but that’s fine for the price.

For many people it’s a hotel, but to us it feels like a second HOME. The staff were so friendly, caring, accommodating, and helpful. Manager Mr. Ravi went out of his way whenever we needed something. One day, gale-force winds brought down trees, power cables, and roofs. Our car plate flew off and we couldn’t find it. Mr. Ravi asked his brother to get a replacement made, and his brother came to the hotel and fitted it for us at no extra cost. We really appreciate them both. The towels and bedsheets smelled lovely and clean. We’ll definitely recommend this place to others. It’s a hotel and a second home to us! 😘

The reception staff were really friendly, and the floor and grounds were clean. The bed had no stains, and neither did the towels. The rooms are tiny. With backpacks it was manageable, but there wasn't room to open a suitcase on the floor. The second floor was hot at night, and traffic from the nearby street was noisy. There seems to have been a rebrand, perhaps for good reason. The place was previously called "New Hope Inn" and still shows up that way on Google. The plastic parts in the room are badly yellowed, like they were smoking rooms, and the air conditioning smelled of smoke when switched on. It also looked unclean, so I wouldn't use it because it could be a health risk. The bathroom ventilation was in unacceptable shape, as was the bathroom itself, with a broken toilet and mold on the sink. It's a shame the entrance has been renovated while the rooms seem to have received too little investment. We wouldn't recommend staying here.