Islander Lodge — Hotel in George Town

We love this hotel. This is the second time we have stayed here and it was as good as the first. Walking into the hotel after two years and being greeted by Fong-Lyn was the best. It felt like we had never left it. First of all this is not a 5 star hotel (it is to us) but everything you need is here. The best thing about the hotel is the staff. They could not be any better or any more welcoming. The entire hotel is spotless. The rooms are basic but very functional. It is quieter than hotels closer into Chinatown yet very easy walking distance to everything and by the look of it Georgetown is moving out this way. One of the fabulous Rapid Penang bus stops is just out front so if you need to take the bus it is very convenient, you can always get to Komtar or the Jetti to start your journey around the island from there. |||| If you're a tourist from another country and plan to stay for a while take your passport to the Rapid Penang Bus Office at Komtar and get a Tourist Bus Pass good for one week for 800 ringette. It is so worth having. You can hop on any bus and ride around the island and over to Butterworth anytime you want without additional fees. It’s a great way to see the island and feel a bit like a local. ||||There are great restaurants nearby and the heart of Georgetown - Chinatown, Arab Town and Little India. ||||Penang is a great island and Islander Lodge is a great budget hotel. ...

If you booked through apps, make sure that you are contacted by the hotel through text message or whatsapp message to confirm your booking. Don't expect that your room is available just because you have confirmed your booking. Always double check by calling the hotel, a few days before check in.

I was lucky that I contacted the hotel myself to confirm my booking; because the hotel cancelled my booking in the apps and later the admin of the booking app contacted me to ask whether I check in or not; because the hotel reported that I DIDNT check in. I am very disappointed because this has tarnished my reputation as one of the highest points members in the apps.

Btw the hotel doesnt have an elevator or a lift, so if you have disabled or senior citizens with you, ask for a room on the ground floor.

Overall it was a comfortable and nice place to stay. The madam reception and their cleaning staff (the day crews) are nice, friendly and helpful. Ask for a room with a window if youre staying more than one night. I love the wooden, classic window which reminds me of my childhood in kampung...

we booked a room for a week well in advance.

after arriving at the facility it turned out that we would not receive the room we booked because the room had a leaking air conditioning and the room would be out of use for a week.

we suggested that they have another room, at least for one night while they repair the air conditioning, but the hotel employee clearly said that they were fully booked and had nothing for us.

a strange situation because when a hotel employee gave us information about the leaking air conditioning, another hotel employee seemed very surprised by this information. the hotel did not cancel the reservation, the issue was reported to booking.com by us.

we were directed to another hotel that was supposed to have a same standard and price. of course it was completely different. Seems like they are overbooking and shuffling people arund, as the hotel that they advised had very similar name.

I do...