Hickory On Penang Hill — Hotel in George Town

Booked the Hickory for our family of 4 to experience an unrushed full day in Penang Hill visiting the Habitat, Curtis Crest, Langur Way Canopy Walk, the Ziplines, to enjoy exclusive, unobstructed views of George Town and feel the cooler air, to witness sunrise and sunset.

Was given detailed guidelines on getting there by Raj whom also promptly responded to all my enquiries.  We took Grab to Lower Station on a Tue morning, reached at 9.30am and was informed the funicular train only stops at the lower tunnel station where the Hickory stop is every hour. So despite being our turn to board, we had to wait at the fast lane area till 10am. The ride up was nice as you get to board the front carriage if you are alighting along the way. Travel light so you do not occupy too much space in the cabin and is easier on the pathways and steep slopes to and from Hickory. Alternatively you could book a 4-wheel drive in advance which helps save time from queuing. If u take train up, buy a one way ticket up and only buy for your way out upon leaving the hills when you reach the lower station. Queuing for the train to make your way down to Hickory could be madness on a rainy day with large crowd.  Priority is not given even if you are a guest staying there, not forgeting that the stop at your station is only permitted hourly.  This is because the stops will slow down the movement of the queue.  On a dry day, consider walking downhill as it takes only about 15 min and here, the temp is 5 degrees lower than average in Penang. The queues are the only reason I would give the place 4 instead of 5 stars.

The Hickory is owned and run by Raj's family, who took great care to restore the building and renovated it. The rooms are well lit and clean. There are 15 rooms in all. If you come in group of at least 7, you could take up the entire upper deck which has the most spectacular view of George Town. You could even see Kek Lok Si Temple from there. We opted for steamboat dinner. There was another group and we made friends. It was even colder at night and in the morning which we loved. In the morning, we had western breakfast outdoor, over-looking Georgetown.

Overall, the place was what I had looked forward to. Appreciate Raj's hospitality. We took many great pictures there. A...

An overnight stay at Hickory was just what we needed to unwind from the daily grind. It was our second trip here - the first being in 2019. So happy to report that we like it now, as much as we liked it then :-)

We booked the standard room for three. While basic, it was very clean - and it didn't have any of that dank and mouldy smell that sometimes accompanies lodgings up in the hills due to cold damp air.

Hickory exudes an old-fashioned charm. We felt very much at home, in this colonial bungalow; whether we were lounging in the patio enjoying a cup of hot tea, or admiring the great night view of Georgetown's twinkling lights from the garden, or having fun over a board game in the cosy living room with pretty traditional tiles, for its floor.

There's a library with an extensive collection of books neatly organised and catalogued! Raj and family must be voracious readers!! Found many great titles, perfect for a rainy afternoon, as well as interesting coffee table books about Penang, in the living room. We particularly enjoyed browsing through one, "The Bungalows of Penang Hill", which I think, also featured Hickory.

Hickory is surrounded by nature, which was one of the main draws that attracted us to Penang Hill. Upper Tunnel Road, Viaduct Road and the many well-maintained bypaths through the forest, are accessible from Hickory... but be prepared for some panting and puffing during the very steep 20-minute climb from Hickory up to the top of the hill! The alternative is to take the tram up from Lower Tunnel Station. The stopping service runs on the hour - you would need to get to the station about 10 minutes before the hour and request to be picked up from there via an intercom. Oh, and whenever you hear rustling in the treetops, do look up - we were lucky to spot the Black Giant Squirrel during one of our walks near Hickory.

Breakfast was included in the stay. After an invigorating morning walk to Viaduct Station to watch the trains go by along the picturesque old stone viaduct, we relished our hearty breakfast of sausage, scrambled eggs, hash brown, beans (and very nice bread!), laid out for us in the garden with a view. Couldn't have asked for more!

So thank you, Raj, for welcoming us to your heritage home. It was the perfect sojourn up...

I recently stayed at Hickory on Penang Hill and had a truly memorable experience. The location is serene and peaceful, ideal for those looking to unwind and enjoy nature. The weather was pleasant, and the surroundings were calm – perfect for a relaxing getaway. The sign boards were kept at the right place, so that visitors can reach the resort without any challenges.||One of the most exciting parts was the 15-minute walk through the forest from the top of Penang Hill to the resort – a short but thrilling experience that nature lovers will appreciate.||Raaj, the owner, was extremely kind and polite, making us feel genuinely welcome. The staff were equally friendly and helpful, even assisting us in preparing some of the meals we requested – which added a nice personal touch to the stay.||While the train service stops at the nearby station only once every hour, it wasn’t a major issue. Just something to plan around. Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about the property – everything met or exceeded expectations.||A special tip for visitors: Don’t miss “The Habitat” – a stunning natural attraction on Penang Hill. It’s a real treat for nature lovers. Guests at Hickory get a 20% discount, and Raaj can assist with this as well.||If you're looking for peace, comfort, and warm hospitality in a natural setting, Hickory is a wonderful choice....