Penang Rainbow Paradise

We went to the beach bar hoping to overlook the room problems, but the bartender was rude from the start. My boyfriend asked the beer price and got a silent point at the menu. While I was checking cocktails, he snatched it from me and jabbed at the beer prices. We paid about 80 MYR, around $30 Canadian, for a small Tiger beer and a cocktail glass packed with ice. I finished mine in about four sips, so it felt very expensive. The cafe was no better the next morning. None of the coffee choices on the menu were available. We ordered lemonade and tea, and waited around 15 minutes even though the place was empty. My breakfast arrived cold, the plate looked nearly bare, and there was a little bug moving around on it. The room and hotel felt old and dirty, and nothing looked much like the photos. Our balcony carpet was falling apart, the tiles were broken, and the walls were dirty. The bathroom shower was disgusting. There was a strong smell in the room, and another in the hallway, where the carpet was gross and the walls were cracked and dirty. We arrived around 9:30 at night. Everyone working there seemed miserable and unapproachable. They just told my boyfriend to head to the parking. The elevator barely worked, the keycard scan and buttons were a struggle, and it felt old, half broken, and shaky. The beach view and pool are nice, so if that's all you want, this might suit you. Beyond that, I can't recommend the place.

The beach is fantastic, and the price was good. Room service responded when requested, and I had a comfortable, satisfying stay. The sun gets very hot, which is handy if you want to dry laundry, and Family Mart and the food court are within walking distance. On certain nights there's a fire performance at the beach. Some of the flooring, carpets, lifts, and tiles around the property felt old and a bit dirty.

Our room on the 16th floor was spotless, with a balcony and a splendid sea view. We stayed for three days and two nights. The kids enjoyed the pool, and there was a fire show on the beach. Parking is charged by the hour, and the lifts can get crowded in peak season. The lift lobbies on each floor have no air conditioning or fan, so it can get hot for seniors and children.

The sea-facing balcony was a real highlight, especially in the morning sun. The room was roomy and had a private bathroom with a bathtub, plus a fridge and kitchen that would be handy for a longer visit. I booked through Airbnb. The shared areas seemed only minimally maintained. There was visible mold on some corridor walls and a slightly unpleasant smell from the corridor carpet. The pool is small, probably better for children than adults. By the pool there's a bar with live band performances and a lovely night view, which was a nice touch.