Merchant Hotel Penang — Hotel in George Town

We checked into the hotel after a long journey with delayed flights. Naturally we're looking forward to getting to bed.

We entered the room and you could smell dust in the air. The nose was getting blocked. At first glance the room looks okay. But then we started noticing a lot of mold in the bathroom and an old bathtub with stains.

After a while we realised there was no hot water. We called the housekeeper. The man came and ran the water for approx. 20 mins, just standing and looking at it, after which he concluded that there's no hot water and he can't help it.

So, we requested a room change. We got an "upgraded room." The new room was bigger, on a higher floor and a bit cleaner. It also had a lot of dust in the air but there was no mold in the bathroom, the bathtub was better and we had hot water. However, the windows were extremely dirty.

In the evening we realised there was a lizard in the room. The housekeeping at first didn't understand what we were talking about, then 5 men came trying to remove the lizard but unsuccessfully, as it hid somewhere inaccessible. They offered us a different room again, but they had limited availability and the other rooms were worse, again. So we decided to stay with this room.

The next day, we came back late, and our room was not done. When we called the reception, they said that in their file the room is marked as cleaned. After a short discussion, they said they'd send someone after 11 pm as all of them are busy now.

We had breakfast included, but it was a huge mistake. For the weekend they served buffet (same on both days) but the food was so bad that we hardly ended up eating anything. For the weekdays there was a la carte choice but not much better either.

Overall, the experience was horrible. There was always some or the other problem in this hotel. The place is rundown and I don't think it's fair to call it a 3-star hotel due to all the mould, dust and...

Recently stayed at the Merchant Hotel in Penang, and overall, it was a good experience. One of the standout aspects was the incredibly friendly and helpful staff. They went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and always greeted us with warm smiles. It really made us feel welcomed and appreciated.

The location is another huge perk of this hotel. It’s centrally located, making it easy to walk to many of Penang’s famous attractions, local eateries, and historical sites. If you’re here to explore, the hotel’s location couldn’t be better—everything is right at your doorstep, so you save time and transportation costs plus it also have free on site parking (limited)

In terms of value, the Merchant Hotel rates are very reasonable, especially considering the comfort of the rooms and the prime location. It’s a good option for travelers who want a comfortable stay without breaking the bank. They even have static exercise bike in the room i stayed .😂

That being said, there were a couple of minor inconveniences. The WiFi was a bit frustrating as it was slow and sometimes barely worked at all. Additionally, the water pressure in the showers could have been stronger, and the water temperature only reached a lukewarm level, which wasn’t ideal. Other issues such as noises from nearby karaoke and street might also be taken into consideration (esp for light sleepers). However, these issues were small compared to the overall experience.

For anyone looking for a great base to explore Penang with friendly service and good value for money, I would recommend the...

Absolutely Outstanding – A True Gem in Penang

From the moment I stepped into Hotel Merchant, I was met with an atmosphere of warmth and genuine hospitality that made my stay unforgettable. What truly sets this hotel apart isn’t just the comfort of the rooms or the excellent location, it’s the people.

Every single member of the staff, from the friendly and welcoming receptionists to the attentive housekeeping team and thoughtful management, went above and beyond to ensure I felt at home. Their kindness wasn’t just professional, it was heartfelt. It’s rare to experience such consistently outstanding service across all levels of a hotel, but here, it felt completely natural.

Whether it was offering local tips, helping with last-minute requests, or simply checking in to make sure everything was perfect, the team did it all with genuine smiles and a level of care that made a lasting impression. The management, in particular, showed an exceptional level of thoughtfulness that reflects the hotel's commitment to excellence. Oh and the vegetarian breakfast was delicious! Specially the fried rice is probably the best I've had in my visit to Penang!

Hotel Merchant it’s a place where you feel truly looked after. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone visiting Penang, and I’ll absolutely be returning on my next trip.

Thank you to the entire team for making my...