Penang Hill
Location Map
Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel is the highest hotel in Penang, located at 830 meters above sea level at Halliburton's Hill, a mount within Penang Hill. It is a place to enjoy the old world charm of colonial Penang, enjoying scones, buttered toast, jam, half-boiled eggs, and sipping Darjeeling tea, a feeling that is duplicated at other hillstations in Malaysia, such as at Ye Olde Smokehouse in Cameron Highlands and Fraser's Hill.
The hotel was originally the private residence of William Halliburton, the first Sheriff of Prince of Wales Island under the British East India Company in the early 19th century. The hotel also runs an aviary showcasing a selection of birds.
Getting there
At time of writing (September 2008) the Penang Hill funicular train is again out of operation. Until the hill train is in operation again, the only two ways to reach Bellevue Hotel is by either jeep or by hiking. Coming from the jeep track, look for sign pointing to Bellvue Hotel upon arriving at the peak.
What to see and do
Bellevue Hotel is a place to relax and take things easy. The hotel is particularly pleasant in the early morning, as George Town awakens below. The lawn in front of the hotel offers a splendid view of the city.
Nearby Sights
The following are some of the places you can explore in Penang Hill, arranged in alphabetical order.
Bel Retiro: The most prestigious property on Penang Hill
Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel: Only functioning hotel on Penang Hill
Convalescent Bungalow: One of the oldest rest houses on Penang Hill
Penang Hill Canopy Walk: Abandoned walkway suspended among the trees
Penang Hill Hindu Temple: Temple to Lord Murugan
Penang Hill Mosque: Local mosque for the Muslim community on Penang Hill
Penang Hill Railway: Hill train taking visitors up the hill
Richmond: Rest house belonging to the Municipal Council of Penang Island
Strawberry Hill / David Brown's Cottage: Hillock near the Penang Hill Railway, where plantation owner David Brown built a cottage
The Great Wall: Hill retreat on Penang Hill built by Khoo Sian Ewe
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel (5 March 2005)
Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel (5 March 2005)
Bellevue Penang Hill Hotel (5 March 2005)
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