Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, Penang

This is my 6th or 7th time coming to Rasa Sayang. Been coming since 11 or 12 years ago. It still has the same vibes. I think its time to upgrade the hotel. You can feel the rooms are starting to get old. Yes, the hospitality is amazing but for the price that we pay, its time for another refurbish.

We recently stayed at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang in Penang for three nights, and it was an exceptional experience! The staff was incredibly friendly and provided outstanding service throughout our stay. The food was fantastic. The ambiance of the resort is perfect for relaxation. We stayed in the Rasa Wing, which offered access to the adult-only pool—a serene and peaceful retreat. All the pools were beautifully maintained, and we truly enjoyed spending time there.

We stayed at the Shangri-la Rasa Sayang resort as part of a journey down memory lane. Having lived in Penang in my childhood I was visiting with my wife after over 40-years and the only place I wanted to stay was this hotel where I had once been as a young boy. I’m glad to say that the hotel not only fulfilled my emotional needs but stands tall for its prime beach location, grand design, lush gardens, amazing buffet, and exotic ocean views. The reception staff recognized my milestone birthday at check in and sent us a bottle of red wine 😊 which was a great start. Our room had one of the best views from the balcony (most rooms have a good view) and a very comfortable bed, fully equipped bathroom and amenities. Outside the buffet in the morning are two hawkers preparing Teh Tarik and Kaya Toast while the buffet itself includes Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Western, and bakery sections. It’s a large dining area inside but also a lot of garden seating with ocean views. We got massages on the beach both days (which I highly recommend) and my wife also got a facial at their spa. Ours was the Garden Wing which is newer with an artistic pool area but the adjacent Rasa Wing which dates back to the original hotel is also equally good. The Batu Ferringhi road is lined with hotels and hawker markets which really come alive at night…we did walk through them once but preferred to relax in the resort itself. It’s a 20-25-min drive from Georgetown and about 30-45-min from the Penang bridge. If you’re looking to get the best in terms of a relaxing holiday and ease of access to other parts of Penang, I would highly recommend this hotel!