Penang, Malaysia - Hotels & Resorts in Batu Ferringhi

The beach at Penang's Batu Ferringhi may not be among the top 10 beaches in Malaysia but still a popular holiday destination. There are plenty of 4 to 5-star hotels and resorts in the area, with many located along the beachfront. As with most holiday accommodation by the beach, there are the typical swimming pools and terraces for lounging under the sun. I see more foreign tourists here mainly from the Western and Middle Eastern countries. I guess Malaysians head to the better and more secluded beaches. 

Parkroyal

Golden Sands Resorts

Holiday Inn

Enjoying the sun

Penang, Malaysia - Budget Stays in Batu Ferringhi

Budget travellers and backpackers should not have any difficulty finding budget accommodation in Batu Ferringhi. There are several in the area and charge RM30-80 (USD9-24) per room. Can't miss them with their signboards prominently displayed along the main street (Batu Ferringgi Road) and located together with the star-rated hotels and resorts. Most of these accommodation are family operated businesses.

Signs for cheap stays in Batu Ferringhi

Ali's Guest House

Shalini's Guest House

Baba's Guest House

Penang, Malaysia - Nightlife in Batu Ferringhi

Penang's Batu Ferringhi has a vibrant and lively nightlife but would not describe the scene as wild or frenzy. Nightlife here is best described as easy going and family friendly. Definitely there are bars here but no go-go girls slithering along the poles or pot bellied men with their temporary sweethearts. Then there are the restaurants and eateries that tend to be more occupied in the evening than during the day.

There is an open air night market selling the typical souvenir items such as trinkets and T-shirts. Beyond the souvenirs there are traders selling handicrafts, bags, belts and clothes including batik. Then there are the odd traders selling counterfeits namely movie DVDs, music CDs and watches. Along with it are the occasional raids by the authorities on the counterfeits and that is as exciting as it get in Batu Ferringhi at night.

Batu Ferringhi at night

A night out along Batu Ferringhi Road

The night market

The Ship (restaurant) at night

Lebanese restaurant waiting for customers

Penang, Malaysia - Getting by in Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi is very much about the beach, accommodation, eating out and the famous night market. Batu Ferringhi offers more and actually a convenient place to spend a vacation. To get around, public transport (bus) is available with several stops along Batu Ferringhi Road and can get you to George Town, Penang's capital. No problem getting a taxi here, and can to take you to anywhere on the island as long as your wallet permits.

There are several 'mom & pop' convenience stores or mini-markets if you prefer not to buy from the overpriced shops at the hotels. There are also shops offering cheaper laundry service than the hotels. There are a couple of tailors who can make pants, shirts and even suits within 24-hours but not sure how good they are. Other conveniences include money changers, internet kiosks, clinics, banks and ATMs if you are suddenly running out of cash.

Shops along Batu Ferringhi Road

A tailor shop

Internet kiosk

Taxi station

Penang, Malaysia - Eating Out in Batu Ferringhi

There are plenty of places for eating out when in Batu Ferringhi, from cheap eats to fine dining. You can dine at the hotels or be adventurous and explore the establishments along Batu Ferringhi Road. For those with fat wallets, options include Eden (seafood), Tarbus (Middle Eastern), Jewel of the North (northern Indian), The Ship (Western) and Mario Restorante (Italian).

There are also the various mid-end restaurants and cheap eats for those with smaller wallets. Beside Western tourists, Batu Ferringhi is quite popular with tourists from the Middle East. Therefore, expect to several Middle Eastern establishments ranging from the fine dining like Tarbush to the cheaper eateries - guess not all Middle Eastern tourist are flush with oil money to spend.

Eden

The Ship

At a Lebanese restaurant

Lebanese eatery offering cheap eats

Chinese Guan Guan cafe

Penang, Malaysia - Secluded Beaches in Batu Ferringhi

Most tourists (including foreign and Malaysians) in Penang prefer to crowd at the main beach in Batu Ferringhi, where the hotels and other accommodation are concentrated. I always thought beach lovers especially from the western countries prefer secluded beaches. This is seldom the case in Batu Ferringhi, at least from my observation - probably unaware of the secluded treasure.

A matter of fact there are a couple of secluded beaches along the coast of Batu Ferringhi i.e. away from the main beach. These beaches run parallel along Batu Ferringhi's coastal road - you can't miss them. On weekends and public holidays, locals prefer to head to the beaches away from the main beach. However, on weekdays these beaches are usually deserted and yours for the taking - that's my kind of beach!

Coastal road along Batu Ferringhi

Secluded cove in Batu Ferringhi

A secluded beach on a weekday

Penang, Malaysia - Batu Ferringhi Town

The urban section of Batu Ferringhi is concentrated along a narrow stretch named Batu Ferringhi Road. Shops of various kind, restaurants, hotels and cheap stays line on both sides of the road. Most of the buildings along this stretch are 1 to 2 floor buildings, while the taller buildings belong mostly to the 4-5 hotels but no towering skyscrapers.

Plenty of convenience stores, mini-markets and restaurants here catering to the tourist crowd. Batu Ferringhi is not lively place to be during the day, when most activities seem to be concentrated along the beach and at the hotel's swimming pools. It's a different story in the evening and gets livelier as the tourists head to the restaurants and bars - nothing sleazy and very much a family destination.

Mini market in Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi Road

More shops along the road

Pedicab in Batu Ferringhi

Taxi station

Penang, Malaysia - About Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi is a popular beach destination on the island of Penang. It is over-developed, over-commercialised, over promoted and a very touristy stretch along the island's northern coast. Batu Ferringhi cannot even claim to have one of the best beaches in Malaysia (average at most), but still manages to attract a mass of Malaysian and foreign holidaymakers throughout the year.

The beach here is sandy and clean but would not describe the waters here as crystal clear. Nevertheless, it is safe to swim, at least most of the time. There are plenty of sport activities along the beach with its jet skis, canoes, beach bikes, para-gliding and horse riding waiting for tourists. Though an over-commercialised beach, you won't find touts here pestering holidaymakers to purchase.

Beach at Batu Ferringhi

Vacationers at Batu Ferringhi

Strolling along the beach

Horse riding along the beach

Palm trees along the beach

Lifeguard tower