We have returned to The Copthorne Orchid in Penang in September of 2008 and do not regret our choice of Hotel. Much is happening with Penang and the area around the Copthorne is proving to be a heaven for expensive apartments, why, because this is by far the best location. Only minutes to the famous Batu Ferringhi as also very close to both local hawker food markets and excellent eateries. The local area across the road from the Copthorne is further expanding with European and international style restaurants, a fresh bakery, a bottle shop, Chemist and 7/11 style shops. Only minutes away in the opposite direction you have some of the best shopping in Penang, from exclusive clothing boutiques, super markets, shopping emporiums and some of the best audio equipment in the world right down to all manner and make of electrical toys and gadgets etc. Everything you made need or want to spend your tourist dollar on is within 20 minutes of The Copthorne. Now, what about the hotel. The most important part, the management and staff that initially started the improvements are still there and worked hard on making our Copthorne Orchid in Penang stay a fantastic one. The smiling faces, the desire to help and assist in our needs as also the service are getting even better and we have no hesitation in recommending this hotel just on this virtue. Our room was, as last year, fresh and well maintained. We immediately noticed that the level of upkeep both for our room and the hotel in general has stepped up another peg and the place looked just that much better. There is continuous upgrading and ongoing maintenance being done and the exterior would look great with a refresh. I am advised the management are working hard to include this upkeep in their budget and their future plans. New plants and landscaping and the upgrading of the foyer as also facilities has helped make the Copthorne a pleasure to visit and a great place to stay. We were treated to a superb and authentic Chinese banquette at one of the Copthorne’s two restaurants and often dined at the poolside from an increasing and improving menu under their new chef. Breakfast choice was extensive and catered to all tastes and nationalities. Food served was fresh and well presented as was the service provided by the management and staff. This also applied to all staff, from reception to room maintenance, the Copthorne group is blessed to have them and we were lucky to experience an honest service from a caring and hard working management team through to a genuine group of employees that enjoy their work and pass on their happiness to the guests. Reception was and is a treat to pass through. Being greeted by their wide smiles and effervescent personalities was a pleasure and made the days of stay that much more pleasant. We are honoured to be called friends and in return cherish their friendship. To the team we say thank you for a great holiday The hotels private beach was kept clean and provided a pleasant walk and a relaxing area as also a picturesque view from our room. My wife took advantage of the pool and sunbathing area as also the spa facilities and I reluctantly worked at the small but equipped gymnasium on loosing the extra pounds I was gaining from eating too much food. There is still the free poolside Wifi internet, which many of us took advantage off. Again I am extremely happy to repeat how great the management and staff are and all the points I made in my review for 2007 have either been maintained or improved upon. We are fortunate to spend 8 weeks a year travelling... So, will we return next year, yes, that is a promise. Would we recommend The Copthorne in Penang......unreservedly YES. Kind Regards and thanks. Frank. Have a nice day!

The Copthorne Orchid Penang. We have stayed there for many years, did it need to improve… certainly yes. Has it improved…… A BIG YES. So what has happened. With the changes listed below the staff are now more enthusiastic and the service has improved. Many are the same faces that help to give you that “returned to a family” feeling. They smiled and respected us as guests, they cared about our needs and they listened to our suggestions. The foyer has been enlivened and a tour and transport manager is on board, even includes a business centre with internet. And again….the staff now smile and actually help. Not to say they didn’t before but now they mean it. Outside has been cleaned up, clean deck chairs everywhere [with sun umbrellas] and an attentive pool attendant to help watch over the kids. The pool has been rebuilt, cleaned each day and is being maintained and, oh yeah, free wifi internet, we could catch up on the world while we relaxed. The rooms....upgraded and still being upgraded which is great, ours felt new and that’s what we wanted. Trusted cleaners keep them clean, the views are all great and we enjoyed our deck for private relaxing or....... A stroll down to the private beach, it’s now cleaner and peaceful now that the work next door is finished and guess what..... That’s proving to be a blessing, landscaping and security has improved the front street dramatically and the back is clean and safe. Breakfast has improved with a greater choice, Asian or European and we always took advantage of the egg Chef for our own specialty omelettes. So why do we keep going back…… The staff….yes, they really do try their hardest and especially now with their bigger smiles and their friendliness, not like some places nearby. The location…..yes a great location that puts us closer to the major shopping centres especially with the free transport provided and yet only a short distance to the hustle and bustle of the famous Batu Ferrengi night markets again with a free shuttle bus. Across the road there is an ethnic food court with excellent local cuisines as well as established restaurants that cater to European and Asian tastes. There is also a chemist, bakery, health food and general stores with alcohol if you so desire and the streets are safe if you want to have a stroll after a great meal. At night we enjoyed a meal and then we had a drink in the hotel bar with live background music and there’s also a specialty Chinese Live Stars bar with singing if you enjoy listening and Karaoke and on one occassion the lunch we chose was the best real Chinese we have ever had. The world’s largest toy exhibition in what used to be the Old Egyptian Museum style night club, kids [many are adults] flocked from all over the place. So…yes we will be back next year for what I am sure will be another great stay at what we now call… OUR SECOND HOME.

Stayed here for 2 weeks in August 2005. Can honestly say that have never been made to feel more welcome in an overseas hotel. Nothing was ever a hassle. My husband and I enjoyed every minute of our holiday never any fighting to make sure that there were sunbeds.