Hotel Review: St Giles Wembley, Penang

In August this year, I went to Penang on my own under #MyFascinatingPenang2015 blogging programme for 5 days and stayed at 4 different hotels. Two of them are chain hotels, i.e. St. Giles Wembley, Penang and Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Penang; while the other two are independent hotels, i.e. The Chambers Hotel and Ren i Tang Heritage Inn, Penang.

Below is my review of St. Giles Wembley following my overnight stay at the hotel.

1. The Hotel

St. Giles Wembley Hotel is part of St. Giles Hotel group. It is a relatively new hotel that has just been officially opened earlier in the year. It is located in the business and commercial area of George Town, just across the road from the iconic KOMTAR, the tallest building in Penang.

1a. The Reception

I arrived late in the afternoon after taking a bus from Kuala Lumpur. The bus stopped at Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal from where I had to take a local bus to KOMTAR and walked to the hotel. As its location is just across the road from KOMTAR, it's pretty convenient to get to, if you’re using public transport.

The lobby is quite spacious with plenty of sofas for guests to use. I didn’t have any problem checking-in quickly as there was no other guest checking in at the same time. The hotel however did ask for a security deposit, either in the form of cash or credit card, to be returned at time of check out. Debit card is not accepted for security deposit purposes.

1b. The Room

The room assigned to me looks quite luxurious and is spacious enough for 2 people, with plenty of space for luggage and stuff. It comes complete with two bedside tables, a work/dressing table and a wardrobe. The room also has a tea/ coffee making facility and an LCD TV apart from an electronic safe, a minibar, and iron & ironing board.

The mattress and bed are very comfortable. Linens and towels are okay. The bathroom is rather spacious too, and comes with a hairdryer as well. One thing that probably is most noticeable in the room is that it has plenty of power points, so if you have a few gadgets to recharge in the evening like I do, you won’t have to worry much about it. :)

Overall, the room is well furnished with a modern luxury taste and a little traditional touch in the form of batik display just above the bed’s headboard. The room should be good for both business travellers and for a leisure stay.

1c. Breakfast 

The hotel serves breakfast at their in-house restaurant which is called Wembley Café. The selection is good, with options for local (Penang and Malaysian), Asian (including Japanese) and Western fares. The main attractions however are the local dishes, e.g. pasembur, and maybe the Japanese fares as well although some might find that the latter is quite limited in selections. All in all, there's something for everyone's taste buds.

I also had dinner at the restaurant on my first night there and found that they serve local, Asian and Western fares too for dinner. The restaurant was quite full at the time of dinner which reflected either the popularity of the hotel and/or the restaurant. The types and variety of food served at the restaurant could be a factor too.

1d. Internet Access

Internet access is available for free via Wi-Fi at the hotel. You also get complimentary broadband Internet access for up to 2 devices in the room.

1e. Other Facilities

The hotel has an infinity salt-water swimming pool on 11th floor overlooking KOMTAR building and another hotel across the road, as well as the city. It also has a gym on the same floor that is opened daily to guests up until 10 p.m. Apart from this, there is also an Executive Lounge on Level 30 that offers separate check-in and check-out for business travellers. 

2. Where to Eat

Wembley Cafe

St. Giles Wembley has 1 restaurant (Wembley Café), a Lobby Lounge and a bar on 31st floor that is called D’Shining Roof Top (DSRT) Sky Room that offer a scenic view of Penang Island and beyond.

Lobby Lounge

View from the Sky Room

Just across the road is 1st Avenue Mall where there are also plenty of options for food and drinks. This is Penang however, so we are supposed to enjoy the world famed street food that is on offer on this pearl island. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul, for example, is located not far from the hotel, just across the road from the other side of KOMTAR.

3. Getting Around

How to get there:

The best way to get to the hotel is probably by driving or using a taxi although if you’re already in George Town city centre, you probably can just walk there or take a bus. There is a bus station/terminal at KOMTAR, just across the road from the hotel. Express bus service from out of town however does not stop here. They either do at Sungai Nibong or Butterworth. If you plan on using Hop On Hop Off Penang bus service whilst in town, they have a stop near KOMTAR.

Interesting places nearby, if any:

With its location being in the business and commercial area of George Town, St. Giles Wembley is strategically located for those who are in town for business or shopping. However, it is also suitable for leisure travellers who would love to stay in a rated hotel, with all its modern conveniences, that is located near the heritage side of the city. 

4. Location

5. Further Information

Address:	183, Jalan Magazine, 10300 Penang, Malaysia
Telephone:	+604-259 8000
Email:	info.swpg@StGiles-Hotels.com
Website:	Website | Facebook
Check in 2 p.m. / Check out 12 noon.

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* * *   Check Room Availability & Rates HERE   * * *

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A Thank You & Disclosure Note

I would like to thank the organiser of My Fascinating Penang, My Amazing Malaysia, as well as the management of St. Giles Wembley for the arrangement to stay at the hotel. The stay was sponsored as part of My Fascinating Penang 2015 programme. The sponsorship however has in no way affected my review of the hotel.

Other official sponsors for the programme include, among others, the following: 

Hotels:	The Chambers Hotel, Ren i Tang Heritage Inn, Evergreen Laurel Hotel
Attractions:	Escape.My, Tropical Spice Garden, The Camera Museum, Made in Penang Interactive Museum
Transportation:	Hop On Hop Off Penang, Easybook.com

For all other blog entries on My Fascinating Penang, click here. For more photos, please check out Ramble and Wander's Facebook page