PARKROYAL Penang Resort — Hotel in George Town

Our second stay this year. Room isn’t clean as previous trip. Mouldy sink at the corner of sink, with mouldy smell. We enjoyed last stay early this year.

Requested to set up sofa bed with bedsheet upon arrival(check in) but it’s not done by anyone. Gotten our room after 20-30mins of check in. No queue during check-in. Reason given is room is not ready yet. It was 3.30pm.

Walked to our room, door is widely opened. A male staff walked out. Surprised us, walked out just like that. Sofa bed still not ready by anyone yet. Checked with a mid-age lady(house keeper) outside our room, she asked us Waitttt(impatiently) before I asked her anything. Then I continued to let her know the floor is so sandy, we need a quick clean/mop because myself don’t feel clean. She came in straight with a not so wet mop to walk around the room, assuming that’s a cleaning work? Ok then left our room. We are not able to request or ask much.

Set up sofa bed. Asked the mid-age lady again because she’s still outside our room. She came over with set of bedsheet, pillow and blanket. We appreciate her prompt response and action. But! She said all these need to be charged. We have to pay them to do this. I’ve been staying for different places but this is the second time house keeper would ask straight from us. The first time was the same lady in Parkroyal Penang during our first time stay early this year. Exactly the same lady!

She mentioned that we have to pay hotel then hotel will straight pay them?(she meant to her own account/pocket). So I asked her to stop setting up, let me check with front desk. She then said, “is okay then. I will do this free for you now because you’re with kids, “I pity you”. “ she mentioned it’s over Rm100 to set up sofa bed like this. But she PITY me so she did it FREE for me. Oh wow! seriously?! She said the exact same thing last time, and this time too! That’s a bit too much. I told her I would like to “pay” hotel for the service if hotel would love to charge me but I’ve to check with management first. why I had to listen to mean word like this upon check-in? Unbelievable.

Now you know why I don’t request for any cleaning service during my stay regarding the mouldy smell from sink? Because I know they’ll arrange this mid age woman to come and get it done. I think she’s in charging that floor. I believe she’ll show some attitude again? I don’t want to ruin my vacation mood.

We were just quiet and smiled to her all the time because she’s doing her job, and she helped us set up the bed. No we didn’t tips her because her tone isn’t welcoming us.

I don’t think being mean to your guests is something you should do.

Cockroach walking under our table during breakfast. Staff helped to kill it. But our second day breakfast wasn’t nice with the smell of cockroach. Something needs to be done to improve the cleanliness. UPDATE: the Management of ParkRoyal Penang Resort has contacted me and apologised for what happened. Thank...

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Exceptional Culinary Experience at Parkroyal Penang – A Tribute to Head Chef Aidiyusman

Our recent stay at Parkroyal Penang was elevated to an extraordinary level thanks to the impeccable dining experience, led by none other than Head Chef Aidiyusman. Having stayed in numerous 5-star hotels across Malaysia over the years, we’ve grown accustomed to expecting highs and lows in hotel dining – but our time at Parkroyal Penang was, without a doubt, the first time everything exceeded expectations perfectly.

Chef Aidiyusman is a rare gem in the hospitality industry. His leadership over both of the hotel’s restaurants is nothing short of remarkable. From breakfast to dinner, every dish carried a sense of precision, thoughtfulness, and passion. The menus are not only beautifully curated to cater to diverse tastes, but also reflect a clear commitment to quality, freshness, and local flavours with a modern touch. Whether it was a delicate Italian dish preparation or a comforting local favourite meal , the taste, presentation, and balance were consistently flawless.

Beyond his culinary skills, what truly stood out was Chef Aidiyusman’s presence and professionalism. He is clearly hands-on, passionate, and deeply involved in every aspect of the kitchen operations. We observed how attentively he interacted with guests, welcomed feedback, and remained visible throughout service — a level of personal engagement that is incredibly rare in larger hotel settings.

His team clearly thrives under his leadership. The staff were courteous, well-trained, and clearly proud of the food they were serving. The harmony and efficiency in the kitchen and dining area reflect his strong management style and respect from his team. Every encounter with the staff felt warm and genuine, making the entire dining experience not just about food, but about hospitality at its best.

As expats living in Malaysia, we’ve traveled to nearly every state and stayed in countless luxury hotels. My husband is a chef himself, so dining out — especially in hotel restaurants — is often accompanied by critical scrutiny. Usually, there’s always something done well and something that falls short. This was the first time we felt that every single aspect was executed to perfection. From food quality and consistency, to service and team coordination, everything was simply impeccable.

We sincerely hope the Parkroyal management recognises the extraordinary talent they have in Head Chef Aidiyusman. His leadership is not only elevating the hotel’s F&B offerings but setting a benchmark that few can match. We truly look forward to returning — not just to enjoy the hotel’s comfort and beauty, but to once again savour the culinary brilliance that Chef Aidiyusman and his team...

A Truly Memorable 70th Birthday Celebration at PARKROYAL Penang

We chose PARKROYAL Penang to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 70th birthday, and from the moment we arrived on 31st May, the experience exceeded all expectations.

At check-in, we were warmly welcomed by Asvathy, who went above and beyond to accommodate our request for early check-in across the four rooms we had booked. She was incredibly friendly and proactive—not just during check-in, but throughout our stay. Every time she saw us in the corridor, she greeted us with genuine warmth, and even remembered our room number when we had a small issue with our massage appointment. She personally followed up and got the manager involved to ensure it was resolved. A truly pleasant and dedicated staff member.

Another gentleman at the front desk (unfortunately, we didn’t catch his name) was also very courteous when handing out the room keys—another detail that made the process smooth and welcoming.

For the birthday dinner, we booked a buffet at the Cinnamon Restaurant and requested a private room. The restaurant manager, Mr. Balu, was exceptionally accommodating and made sure the tables were arranged perfectly for our celebration. The service from the restaurant staff was outstanding—attentive, courteous, and genuinely caring. Both Mr. Balu and the chef took the time to meet us before dinner to ensure all our needs were met, which was a thoughtful and appreciated gesture.

The highlight of the day was the beautifully planned surprise by the hotel team. Just after we checked in, my mother-in-law was expecting her bags to arrive—but when she opened the door, it was the restaurant team bringing in a birthday cake, singing “Happy Birthday” and creating a truly magical moment. She was completely caught off guard, and it was a heartwarming surprise that brought so much joy to all of us.

Just when she thought that was it, the bellhops arrived shortly after with our luggage—only they had gone the extra mile by decorating the luggage trolley with balloons and delivering the bags with smiles and another round of cheerful birthday wishes. It was another lovely surprise that made the celebration even more special.

This was an amazing experience that our entire family will always cherish. Thank you to the entire PARKROYAL Penang team—especially the front desk, the Cinnamon Restaurant staff, and the wonderful bellhops—for making this milestone birthday unforgettable. We didn’t manage to get everyone’s names, but every team member truly made us feel welcomed and valued.

Highly recommended for any special celebration—your thoughtfulness, coordination, and heartfelt service made it an experience beyond our...