A popular weekend getaway destination of many Singaporeans, Penang is a city that embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old world charm. Long revered as the food capital of Malaysia, the heritage city offers a wide range of cuisine from delicious street hawker fares to dainty café brunches. Coupled with the city’s collection of historic buildings from old English colonial mansions to classical Chinese shophouses as well as creative street murals, you have a city made for walking and eating.

Short-changing holidays over bad accommodations is a definite no no for us. We recently found out about Traveloka, a flight & hotel booking website that is garnering popularity in Singapore so we thought we will check it out and put it to the test. There you have it – our pick of the 7 best Penang boutique hotels under S$150 for your weekend getaway!

1. Chulia Mansion Hotel Penang (From $55)

Located in the banking district of George Town, Chulia Mansion Hotel Penang looks terribly old and shabby on its outside. But do not let its exterior fool you, their beautifully designed interior is set to wow you. We have a vast multifarious selection of eateries, hawkers stalls and cafes around the hotel; such as the cafe across the street from the hotel, ‘Sky Hotel Cafe’ with its famous chinese barbecue rice, and 7-Eleven a few steps away.

There are a few money-changers located nearby to choose from; and a photo shop just across the street. For the adventure-seeking guests, Penang’s heritage landmarks and spots can be conveniently reached within walking distance – e.g. : the ‘Goddess of Mercy’ temple, Little India, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and various well-maintained temples and mansions.

For the art enthusiasts, the well-esteemed, cultural murals and street art by Ernest Zacharevic can be seen within walking distance. For the art enthusiasts, the well-esteemed, cultural murals and street art by Ernest Zacharevic can be seen within walking distance.

2. Spice Boutique Residence Penang (From $69)

Located in a laneway off the popular walking street of Lebuh Armenian, Spices Boutique Residence is in a strategic spot to exploring the town. It’s just far enough away to avoid the noise, but still within walking distance to all the interesting bits.

Rooms are named after various spices such as Turmeric, Cinnamon and Paprika. A total of eight different themed rooms translate to a tranquil and exclusive accommodations experience.

3. You Le Yuen Penang (From $111)

Housed in a 2-storey colonial pre-war shop-house that has been painstakingly restored to its former glory, You Le Yuen is located on quaint and pleasant Love Lane. This quaint boutique hotel offers four individually decorated suites, each of which are furnished with Peranakan and mid-century art décor furniture from our private collection. We love how all suites have timbre louvered windows that open either out onto Love Lane or into the indoor courtyard.

Love Lane is surrounded by beautifully restored and historical buildings and a stone’s throw away from Cheung Fatt Tze Mansion, Little India, Fort Cornwallis, and The Goddess of Mercy temple. For the price you pay, this place is a steal. 

4. Noordin Street House Penang (Average $118)

Noordin Street House evokes a sense of nostalgia with retro-style furnishings amidst modern facilities. Adorned with precious memorabilia of yesteryears, the two-storey Straits Chinese style hotel along Noordin Street provides 8 themed rooms (2 Family Rooms and 6 Deluxe Rooms) for your selection. The staircase from the hotel’s pool leads up to the roof garden which is one of the highlights of this cozy boutique accommodation. When you are on the roof garden, you get the bird’s eye view of the vintage houses in the vicinity, giving you a spectacular view of history.

Location wise, Noordin Street House is within walking distance to the main bus and taxi terminal in Komtar. You also get to enjoy retail convenience of 2 modern shopping malls – First Avenue and Prangin Mall.

5. Mango Tree Place Hideaway Penang (From $118)

Ideally located within walking distance from George Town’s heritage area, this charming traditional townhouse boutique hotel offers seven intimate and exclusive suites that boost of different themes for your selection.

Designed and planned around two interior courtyards, the building is punctuated with inner open spaces that breathe and welcomes the subtlety of natural light. The rooms are not just walls and windows with a view. They are planned to have a sequence of spaces with a natural inward orientation that induces calm and tranquility while still maintaining a strong connection to nature – sunlight, sky, greenery and rain.

It is hard not to love the stay. Upon check in, you will be greeted with warm and informative check-in. Its thoughtful staff will also provide you with an in-house pamphlet detailing the essential cultural hotspots as well as practical amenities as the nearby supermarket, ATM, 24-hour 7-11, and local eateries.

6. Hotel Penaga (From $120)

Originally created from pre-war terraces and shop houses, Hotel Penaga charms you with its exquisite Peranakan tiles, striking stained glass windows and beautiful paintings the moment you step into the lobby. The rooms and suites within the hotel are divided into ‘Clark Terraces’, ‘Transfer Suites’ and ‘Hutton Rooms’, each of which has been lovingly and individually decorated with replica antique Asian furniture mixed in with modern Japanese design which really adds to the character of the hotel. You will be happy to know that your bathroom includes a Jacuzzi spa bath, separate shower and local made toiletries crafted with ingredients from the region.

The hotel is well located within walking distance of great restaurants, the famous street art and plenty of attractions. No matter how you plan to spend your time in Penang you’ll love the convenience of Hotel Penaga.

7. Noordin Mews Penang (From $132)

Set in a walled tropical garden with its own private swimming pool, Noordin Mews is a classic 1920s Peranakan shophouse in straits eclectic style. You will be thrilled to know that the rooms are all equipped with a large en-suite bathroom and are spacious with built in beds underneath thick mattresses covered in crisp, white sheets. The hotel has also thoughtfully furnished armchairs, antique dressing table, closet space, flat screen television, wifi and are air conditioned to ensure that you enjoy a comfortable stay.

Noordin Mews is just a 10-minute walk away from Penang’s most iconic landmarks such as the Khoo Khongsi Clan House, the Guan Yin Temple, the English Georgian Church and Penang’s main Mosque.

Don’t just take our word, check out the latest reviews on Traveloka before booking these accommodations. 

The overall economic sentiments may not be favourable at the moment but that should not discourage us from short weekend getaways every now and then. To keep our sanity, travel is a must. Online price comparison websites such as Traveloka are truly godsent to help us manage our travel budget. We hope you find our selection of wonderful boutique hotels under $135 in Penang useful. Have fun!