Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, Penang in Batu Ferringhi

Shangri-La has always been one of my favorite hotel brands. Its resort-like qualities are consistently top-notch, truly living up to its tagline: 'Discover your own Shangri-La.'

The hotel itself is vast, with its own private beach, though access to the beach area is somewhat limited. Its main focus is on the lush forest and pools, inviting you to spend an entire day bare-skinned with a book, lounging by the forest or on a poolside chair. Of course, water activities and outdoor massages are available, but they don't seem to be very popular.

Occasionally, you'll spot some of 'humanity's best friends' – lizards, crows, and monkeys. This is a consistent feature of Shangri-La; wild animals are an integral part of the environment.

The breakfast buffet is excellent, especially sitting outdoors by the sea. However, this only applies to the Spice Market restaurant in the Garden Wing. Absolutely avoid the à la carte Grill restaurant in the RASA Wing; it's basic and a waste of time.

The dinner buffet at Spice Market is equally superb. The seafood buffet on Fridays and Saturdays is incredible! Have you ever experienced all-you-can-eat Boston lobster for 183 MYR per person? This is an 80% discount price, but you need to book in advance and order on the official website. Don't bother with the Chinese restaurant at the market opposite; it's purely for tourists, with a poor environment, low value for money, and mediocre food.

Now for the downsides: the room facilities are outdated, barely meeting a three-star standard. The coffee machine was broken, the air conditioning was noisy, the showerhead dripped all night because it couldn't be tightened, and the bathroom blinds were broken and wouldn't close.

There's also a management issue: the hotel feels like a retirement home, with white elderly couples making up 90% of the guests. Every day, a bunch of elderly white men and women in bikinis would arrive at 8 AM when the pool opened, grab towels, and reserve pool loungers for hours without actually getting in the water. They'd reserve their spots, leave for breakfast or afternoon tea, and then return to lie down. Those of us who actually wanted to swim couldn't find a single empty lounger... The hotel actually has a rule that if a lounger is unoccupied for over an hour, the towels should be removed. So, they cleverly finish their meals in under 59 minutes... The result is a scene with a pile of elderly white women and white towels by the pool, and only three or four young people actually in the water. Does that really make sense?

So, there's no perfect hotel. After weighing the pros and cons, you just have to find the parts you love.

Full of Nanyang charm, comfortable sea view, rich breakfast, the first choice for a relaxing vacation!

The hotel's overall facilities are fantastic! The environment is refreshing and delightful; ancient trees, a pool, and a sandy beach by the sea make it the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway. The room, from the bed to the amenities, was very comfortable. It's incredibly quiet, ideal for a recuperative stay. The moment I walked into the room, I was mesmerized by the vast sea view, trees, and pool outside!

The overall service was also excellent.

The only slight drawback that could be improved was the breakfast. It was generally mediocre and lacked any distinct character. Many items were ready-made, not freshly prepared. For example, the Indian Roti Canai (flying pancake) – when I stayed at the JW Marriott in Kuala Lumpur, they were made fresh on the spot by Indian chefs. Here, they were pre-made, almost like a grab-and-go pancake.

Also, the hotel has a private, exclusive pool area that is only open to guests staying in certain room types, which left a bit of a sour taste.

The best experience was the spa. The masseuse had excellent technique; I actually fell asleep! It might be in my top 3 global spa experiences. What surprised me the most was the design of the spa center. What seemed like a small spa馆 from the outside revealed an extraordinary design inside! It was refreshing and felt like a hidden paradise. Coupled with the glow of the sunset, it left a lasting impression!

The handsome guy at check-in was incredibly friendly and charming, and the room he arranged for us was perfect. Honestly, I noticed quite a few foreigners on the balconies of the adjacent building, so there's no discrimination here at all. The hotel itself has a wonderfully relaxing, resort-like atmosphere. It's historic but very well maintained. You can take the hotel shuttle to the nearby Marina Bay Sands, then turn right and walk just five minutes to get to the seaside bar with fireworks views – it's just ideal! Breakfast was also quite good.

The rooms have a Nanyang-inspired, retro decor, and I immediately felt a sense of calm upon entering – perfect for a vacation. The natural environment is excellent; although I didn't see any monkeys, I did spot lizards and small squirrels. All the staff at the hotel were very nice and thoughtful. On our last night, after they cleaned the room, they realized we were leaving the next day and even gave us an extra welcome gift of snacks and cookies. The hotel breakfast is very generous with a variety of international flavors to choose from, and best of all, they can communicate in Chinese, which made everything stress-free. There are also plenty of dining options nearby, and for getting around, there's a bus stop right outside or you can take a taxi. This will definitely be my first choice for my next vacation.

The hotel staff were really friendly and greeted me warmly every time they passed by. They gave me a room with a direct sea view, which was beautiful! No deposit was required, and breakfast was decent. The room was large, clean, and had no strange odors. The swimming pool was a bit small, as was the beach, and the sea itself wasn't appealing at all – it looked dark and dirty. I saw crows, monkeys, and lizards during my stay.

Fantastic hotel, none of the negative things mentioned in some reviews were true in my experience. The sunset views from the hotel beach are absolutely stunning. It's just a 500-meter walk to the town center where you can find local restaurants and durian. The hotel breakfast was also delicious, and the service was excellent. There's even a staff member who speaks Chinese.

The old trees at this hotel are really beautiful, and lounging around is very comfortable. Everything else was great, except for being 'attacked' by the secretions of a rove beetle. If you happen to encounter one, don't swat it; just blow it away and immediately return to your room to wash the affected area with soap and water. Then, go to the front desk and have the staff apply medicine. I only felt a stinging sensation for a few hours that day, and then it was fine; I didn't experience any blistering or other burns. I originally wanted to extend my stay for another night but was too scared to, so I moved back to a hotel in the city center. Overall, I still recommend staying here.

The environment is fantastic, with a seaside lawn and large trees perfect for lounging – it reminds me a bit of Katathani in Phuket. This kind of setting is a rare find in Penang, and there's not much competition. However, the price is exorbitant; the room definitely isn't worth it. There's a slight woody smell in the room. Initially, I was given the wrong room; I booked a sea view but was given a garden view. Switching rooms wasted a lot of time and caused frustration. I'm not sure if there's an issue with how Ctrip communicates with the hotel, as the room type wasn't in Chinese on the bilingual confirmation. Overall, the hotel service is good, but the breakfast is terrible.

A Truly Relaxing Tropical Escape in Penang
Our stay at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa was an absolute delight. Nestled along the serene Batu Ferringhi beach, the resort beautifully blends traditional Malay charm with lush tropical gardens and direct beach access—offering peace without complete isolation.
We stayed in a Deluxe Garden View room, which was spacious, well-maintained, and tastefully decorated with local wood carvings and warm tones. While not brand-new, everything was clean, functional, and comfortable—especially the plush bedding and efficient air conditioning, essential in Penang’s humidity!
What truly stood out was the exceptional service. Every staff member—from front desk to restaurant servers—was genuinely warm, attentive, and eager to help. A special thanks to the front office for kindly upgrading us to a partial sea-view room upon arrival!
The breakfast buffet impressed with its variety: fresh dim sum, nasi lemak, roti canai, Western staples, and even local favorites like cendol. The two swimming pools (including an adults-only option) were quiet and well-kept, and the private beach, though modest, offered plenty of loungers and stunning sunset views.
One minor note: some public areas (like hallway carpets) show slight signs of age—but this is easily forgiven given the resort’s heritage and overall upkeep.