This is my 3rd DoubleTree experience but my first a resort property.

I stalked Tripadvisor prior to my visit and saw some negative reviews of the property including stained sofas etc. But I steeled myself knowing it cannot be that bad as it still carries the Hilton brand. Plus my reservation was non refundable.

Address – 56, Jalan Low Yat Batu Ferringhi, Penang,11100, Malaysia. Website.

Contact – +60 4 8928000. Email: DoubleTreePenang_Info@hilton.com.

Price – MYR707++ = SGD280 under the Resort Offer for a 2-bedroom family suite-terrace and sea view. Not a bad price considering it includes breakfast for 4pax and a Diamond Happy Hour for 4pax due to my Diamond status.

Location – The property is located in Batu Ferringhi side of the city and meant for beach goers more than city dwellers. There is absolutely nothing around the resort, which means you either grab everywhere or just eat in the hotel’s restaurant.

Getting there – I had the hotel pick us up (4pax with luggage) for MYR90. In retrospect, it was really expensive versus a grab but I had wanted the arrival to be seamless and comfortable so that was that. But Batu Ferringhi is basically up a hill, which means a terribly winding long drive from the airport – those sensitive to motion sickness beware.

Check In – Arriving at 12:30pm on a weekday to a quiet alfresco hotel lobby, check in was fuss-free although the room was not ready. I was not thanked for my loyalty but was highlighted on the Diamond happy hour. The warm DoubleTree cookies were still as delicious as I remembered though and provided a much needed sugar burst after the arduous drive from the airport. We headed for lunch at the restaurant and collected our keys at 1:30pm.

Room – The marketing spill for the suite (I forgot what room number I got):

Sea view, 100 sq. m./1,076 sq. ft., furnished terrace, 2 bedrooms, living room, bathtub, WiFi

Perfect for families and friends who want to indulge themselves, this elegant two-bedroom suite has a separate living area, one king-sized bed and one twin bed. There is also a stunning 32 sq. m. balcony overlooking the sea and furnished with sundeck chairs and a dining table.

In reality, the suite felt…..too big.

Perhaps it was because the room itself was not very well maintained. Or because there was a lack of thought on how best to utilize all that space. Or just because the living room was super sparse with a sagging sofa and stained cushions.

Master bedroom

2nd bedroom

Living area

Actually the pictures make quite a misleading representation of the poor maintenance. I mean to be fair though, the rooms themselves are actually quite okay but the entire space felt too “cold”. Not cosy and not a space my family wanted to hang out in. The balcony was also dirty and we did not access it one bit throughout.

Hilton Diamond Happy Hour – Diamonds get to enjoy a 1-hour free flow of simple alcoholic drinks eg red / white / beer / cocktails at Axis Lounge which is then hotel’s lobby bar. I thought this was a really nice benefit even though it cannot actually replicate what an Executive Lounge can offer. We did not have a good start though as I was asked for my room number when we arrived and was told “only 1 room (even though it was a 2-bedroom suite)? We only serve 2 pax per room. Luckily, I had confirmed that this benefit would be applicable to 4pax in writing with the reservations team after making my booking and I asked them to double check. They did not come back to me thereafter but they served us for 4pax so I guess they sorted this out.

Light bites on a tier tray was served, as well as some satay and peanuts. Not bad for a bonus entitlement!

Breakfast – Available at Makan Kitchen on LG, the space was fairly busy on a weekday 8am. Variety was okay-ish and quality was okay-ish. Nothing much to make you want to eat another round or stay long. But it does what it does for a breakfast.

Facilities – The hotel grounds were actually quite pretty but our stay was pretty much hindered by the haze. With PSI ranging from 220-250, it basically killed any motivation to check out the property properly. So no pics of the pool and gym this time.

Service – nothing much to complain about. I also received candies which I assume to be my Diamond amenity?

Check Out – Painlessly done at the front desk at 10am in the morning.

In summary,

a disappointing DoubleTree property. The ill maintenance was obviously not of the brand and I wouldn’t stay again for sure. For its location, they could also do with shuttle services to town.