An island of rich cultural and historical heritage, Penang in Malaysia is a traveller’s haven. With an array of temples, ruins, museums, preserved forests, islands and beautiful beaches, the city is home to a perfect confluence of nature and history. This makes a trip to the city, a worthwhile experience. In fact, it is popularly known as the unofficial food capital of the country, which undeniably makes it popular among travellers and backpackers, attracting travellers from across the globe.
From nature retreats to picturesque, scenic landscapes, Penang has everything to make your vacation a perfect experience worth remembering. And what better way to experience the city’s ethos than staying at a hostel and immersing yourself in the local culture of the city. Check out below some of the best hostels in Penang according to first hand ratings and reviews.
Here’s the list of the Top Rated hostels in Penang, Malaysia:
Queen’s Hostel
Just as its name suggests, this hostel in Penang is a female-friendly hostel attracting solo women travellers from across the globe. Located at the heart of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this hostel is in close proximity to some famous tourist attractions of the city and the local eateries.
Here at this hostel, safe, quiet and cozy accommodation is available in private rooms as well as shared dorms at affordable prices. The rooms are beautifully designed with high rising, colourful canopy beds. There is a common lounge area with bean bag chairs, books, reading area and much more. The hostel premises are creatively decorated with art works and some Instagram worthy backgrounds!
Although a free breakfast is not included, the visitors would get access to a fully stocked kitchen with all necessary appliances. You can cook a meal to your liking and even strike a conversation with fellow travellers!
Address: 20, Lebuh Queen, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 13-489 6218
Kimberley Old House
This hostel is uniquely located in Penang’s world famous local street with the city’s best eateries and food streets. Clean and budget accommodation at this hostel is available in private bedrooms and shared dormitories with varying capacities. All the rooms are air conditioned and well lighted. Besides this, there is a common family room where the visitors can interact or enjoy tea or coffee.
There is an inhouse café at the hostel and free WiFi can be accessed throughout the hostel premises. The visitors can also relax or enjoy reading a book at the patio equipped with bamboo chairs. Other facilities include 24/7 housekeeping, bicycle rental, dry cleaning and other amenities to make your stay, a comfortable one.
Address: 59, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-261 1486
House of Journey
This is one of the top rated hostels in Penang; moreover, it has been awarded the first prize at Country Winners Malaysia Awards in the past! Located in the heart of the city, this hostel provides budget accommodation in shared dorms of differing capacities. The hostel is owned by a family and indeed, their hospitality is also one of the like.
At this hostel, you can relax by the seating area beside the window; strike a conversation with fellow travellers in the outdoor terrace area; or grab a book from their minimal yet interesting collection. Free Internet access is available throughout the property. Plus, there are a variety of board games to keep you entertained.
A complimentary breakfast is included in the booking charges; however, self-catering facilities are also available. A few minutes’ walk from the hostel will take you to the popular destinations of the city such as Love Lane, Chulia Street Night Market and World UNESCO Heritage area.
Address: Pulau Pinang, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-262 1399
Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel
This is one of the most preferred and top rated hostels in Penang for backpackers and family trips alike. Nestled in the quiet street of Lebuh Muntri, the hostel earns full points for its highly convenient location. It is at a walking distance from renowned areas like Love Lane and Chulia Street which are home to the city’s famous bars, cafés and street food vendors. Moreover, while roaming in these streets, you will witness some world class street arts!
Accommodations in private rooms and shared dormitories are available; female only dorms are also available. All bunk beds are comfortable and are equipped with universal plug and a USB charging port. The hostel also features a bar, an outdoor terrace and a common room. For entertainment, you can play board games or hire a bicycle for exploring the city. You can also book a walking tour in the locales of the city from the tours and travels desk of the hostel.
Address: 62, Muntri St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 12-764 0288
The Frame Guest House
This hostel provides a simplistic, budget accommodation for backpackers and small friends’ groups. Built inside a three storey heritage shop-house, this guest house and hostel retains the authentic flavour of the city’s ancient times. The guests can avail private bedroom or shared dormitory style accommodations at this hostel. Female only dorms are also available. All the rooms are well-lit, with proper ventilation and comfortable and spacious beds. The washrooms are equipped with hot water showers.
Besides, there are other facilities such as DVDs, book exchange, free Internet access etc.. to keep you entertained throughout your stay. A free breakfast is available at the accommodation. Also, the visitors have the option of self-catering in the fully-stocked kitchen of the hostel. Complimentary tea or coffee would be served throughout the day on request.
Address: 168, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-263 8807
Bahari Twenty8
This hostel is a complete package for backpackers and indeed, all travellers. Besides accommodation, they also feature a famous local Chinese restaurant, a Thai and Western restaurant, a massage centre, an onsite coffee shop, laundry services, convenience store and a pharmacy. This means that all your needs would be met at one place!
It provides shared dorms as well as private bedrooms for accommodation. Male only and female only dorms are also available. Some units are equipped with a balcony and a window. All the bunk beds are equipped with a reading light and plug point for charging.
A complimentary breakfast is included in the room booking charges. Besides, there is an outdoor terrace, book exchange facility and bicycle hire is available at the hostel. This undoubtedly makes it one of the most preferred choice of hostels in Penang.
Address: 28, Jalan Sri Bahari, George Town, 10500 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-206 2821
Olive Spring Hostel
This is one among the female only hostels in Penang, where female solo travellers put up during their vacations or backpacking trips. It is also ideally located amidst George Town and is surrounded by all the exquisite sights of George Town by day; and right in the middle of all the hawker stalls, food courts and bars by night. Indeed, you could not ask for a better location in the whole of the city of Penang.
At the hostel, there is a caféteria, which is run by the hostel staff itself called the Mugshot Café. Besides, there is also an attached bakery right by the hostel side. On the upper ground floors, accommodation is available in common dormitories. The rooms are well-furnished and with wooden floorings. The bunk beds are comfortable, spacious, air conditioned and well lighted. The hostel also features a common dining area for the visitors to enjoy meals together at the same time.
Address: 302, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-261 4641
Chateau One
This guest-house makes for one of the best hostels in Penang, which is ideal for family and other group vacations and stays. Located amidst the oldest shop-houses of George Town, this hostel retains the old world charm and historical ethos of the city. Moreover, it is built in one of the oldest heritage buildings and still preserves the authentic detailing in the form of sections of exposed beams, brickwork and aged door. The incredible worn walls are simply left to be as they were – patchy and bricked – without restoring them.
Accommodation is available in the form of private bedrooms and shared dorms at highly affordable prices; all rooms have an attached bathroom. Other facilities include free Internet, air conditioning and complimentary tea/coffee all throughout the day.
A short stroll from the hostel will take you to worth-visiting historical destinations of the city including Little India, Fort Cornwallis, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Khoo Kongsi, Kuan Yin Temple and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The house is pet-friendly and you will often see a cat roaming around through the property.
Address: No. 1, Lebuh Klang, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-401 0974
Rope Walk Guest House
This is a pre-war heritage mansion situated a few minutes away from George Town. Also, it is in close proximity to the city’s street arts, cafés, food courts and night markets so that you can experience the authentic touch of the city. The building was re-renovated in 2017 to enhance the facilities such as additional common washrooms and bathrooms, a laundry place, common seating area and moonlit air wells.
The hostel interiors make for some great Instagrammable shots – on the walls, you will find scribbled stories, creative artworks and much more. Accommodation here, is available in shared dorms with comfortable and spacious bunk beds. Besides, it also features an in house caféteria, a colourful seating lounge and plenty of airy and well-ventilated areas. Board games and free Internet access are available for entertainment throughout the day.
Address: 78, Jalan Pintal Tali, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-264 5769
Cocoa Mews Café and Homestay
This homestay and hostel provides for a simplistic setup of a place to stay in the city of Penang. Ideally located in Penang’s famous Little India, this homestay is located only a few minutes’ walk away from the UNESCO World Heritage area.
Accommodations here are available in traditional private bedrooms with old style wooden furnishing. All the rooms are air conditioned and you can access free Internet throughout the hostel premises. Some of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms and you can avail them on request.
They offer a plenty of options for their guests such as movie DVDs, book exchange and bicycles for rent are available. So, you would never feel a hint of monotony during your stay. Moreover, you will find a cute cat roaming through the hostel giving free cuddles (and after which the hostel has been named!)
Address: 101, Lebuh King, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-261 0451
Ke Lan Tan House
This is one of the top rated hostels in Penang, built inside a two storey building featuring ten rooms. They offer accommodation to all types of travellers – whether you are travelling with family or backpacking solo, they would welcome with their hospitality and warmth. At the property, there are family bedrooms, single occupancy rooms and a master bedroom. The beds are comfortable and antiquely built using Chinese wood. Each of the rooms have access to a private bathroom.
One of the unique features of this hostel is that its rooms are named instead of being numbered! In fact, they are named after some of the renowned streets of Penang. The hostel’s central location makes it easily accessible from shopping centres, Penang street art, Chew Thean Yeang Aquarium, Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul and countless other recreational activities.
Address: 27, Kelantan Road, Georgetown, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-229 5993
Old Penang Guest House
This hostel is a heritage guesthouse that combines the charm of ancient years of the city with modern infrastructure and facilities. It has been awarded the second best hostel in Malaysia award in the past and still lives by its reputation. This hostel too, is located in the UNESCO World Heritage area of George Town. This ensures an authentic and culturally enriching stay. From the original mosaic-tiled flooring, intricate art-work, inner courtyard to the wood-shuttered windows, every aspect of the house echoes the history of the region.
Private as well as shared rooms are available for accommodation at reasonable prices; female only dorms are also available. The room bookings include free WiFi, free tea/coffee all day long, complimentary toiletries and a free breakfast every morning until checkout. The hostel also features a TV lounge with Blu-ray movies inner courtyards for relaxing during the tea break.
The extensive range of facilities offered by the hostel has earned it several good reviews and ratings. Indeed, it makes for one of the best options of hostels in Penang for a delightful stay.
Address: 53, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-263 8805
The 80’s Guest House
This hostel and guesthouse in Penang is situated only a stroll away from most of the historical landmarks of the city like Little India, Fort Cornwallis, Kapitan Keling mosque, the Khoo Kongsi museum, the Kuan Yin Temple and the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Its convenient and accessible location has made it one of the most preferred hostels in Penang among travellers. Like many others, it has been built inside a heritage building. Therefore, it retains the ancient feel of the city’s ruins. Guests can accommodate themselves in both private rooms and shared dorms.
Each of the bunk beds is equipped with a reading light and plug port for charging. The room booking charges include a free breakfast on every morning of your stay, complimentary drinks (tea/coffee) round the clock, free access to the Internet and much more. Besides, there is also an outdoor terrace and a common lounge area with flat screen television. Here, the guests can entertain themselves with Blu-ray movies. Board games are also available.
Address: 46, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-263 8806
Magpie Residence
Magpie Residence is an ideal stopover from which to discover Penang. From here, the guests can easily access all that the lively city has to offer and take pleasure in taking a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, private bedroom and shred dormitory type accommodations are available for the guests at reasonable rates. Some of the units are also equipped with a seating area with sofas and a table. Besides, the hostel also features a lobby and a common lounge area for the guests to interact or sit together.
Other facilities include airport transfers, bicycle hire, free Internet access, book exchange, luggage storage, laundry services and much more. The hostel’s proximity to some of the most popular destinations of the city has made it popular among travellers from all across the globe.
Address: 33, Jalan Sekerat Formerly Jalan A.S. Mansoor, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-226 1512
Drippin’ Dragon Hostel
Perhaps one of the most popular choices of hostels in Penang, especially among young backpackers, this hostel welcomes guests from all over the world. It is built inside a portion of a heritage building and located in the midst of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage area. This gives it an authentic appeal of the tradition and culture of the city. Here, you can accommodate yourself in proto-comfort shared dorms.
The hostel is located only a few blocks away from China Town, several shopping malls and hidden cafés and bars of the city. There is also a swimming pool at the hostel site; here, you can relax under the warm sun and enjoy cocktails or beers at the pool side after your swim.
The booking charges are inclusive of a free breakfast and complimentary drinks till noon. The hostel interiors are decorated with beautiful artworks which are travel inspired. Plus, you will find two cutesy cats roaming about giving free cuddles!
So, wait no more and book from among the best hostels in Penang from this list, exclusively created for you. Experience the taste of authentic Malaysian culture and immerse yourself with the locals, by staying at these hostels in Penang. We are sure that you will have a delightful stay!
Address: 32, Jalan Hutton, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-261 0416