We recently collaborated with Marriott Executive Apartments Penang during our family trip to Penang, Malaysia, where we spent three nights experiencing what it’s like to live in one of their beautiful seafront apartments.
Our stay was nothing short of excellent. Travelling as a family of four, we stayed in a spacious two-bedroom apartment that truly felt like a home away from home. Below is our full, honest review of the experience.
Location: Seafront Living on Gurney Drive
Marriott Executive Apartments are located in Gurney Drive, close to the UNESCO heritage town Georgetown. (We used a grab to get to the centre and paid around RM8 – around €1.60 / $1.70). We loved the location as we could take beautiful walks by Gurney Bay and the apartment views were absolutely stunning.
Just across from the Marriott you also have a lovely seafront park with walkable paths and a playground for the kids, we would walk here every evening.
Our Two-Bedroom Apartment: A True Home Away From Home
Our spacious 2-bedroom apartment really felt like a home away from home. It was spacious, cosy, and practical for our family. The kids had their own room and double beds, plus a bathroom and plenty of storage cupboards. Across the living area, we had our ensuite bedroom and bathroom. Our living area was super cosy with a large L-shaped sofa and dining area.
We also had a gorgeous bathroom with a bath tub with gorgeous views over Gurney Bay, I would soak in here every night after a day of sightseeing 🙂
There was also a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher with daily complimentary water and a lovely welcome pack. Best of all they had a washing machine with a dryer which was super handy.
Dining and Breakfast Experience
Each morning we had a grand buffet style breakfast with many different stations for freshly prepared cuisnes. The choice was exceptional from continental to local Malaysian dishes. Our kids especially loved the roti pancakes which were made in front of them and we really enjoyed the freshly made laksas. There was such a huge variety of choices that we would eat something different every day.
We also tried their onsite restaurants including Sago, Kucina and the Lava Cafe.
Sago for lunch was fantastic with many local Malaysian and Indian choices. We especially enjoyed their desserts, make sure to try the Mango Pomelo and the Hazelnut Napoleon.
For dinner we really liked Kucina, a stylish Italian restaurant. Again a lot of choices and beautifully presented. The highlight was definitely watching the tiramisu demonstration. The staff were also so wonderful with our kids, which is always a great bonus.
At lava Java cafe we tried their lovely coffee experience where the coffee is poured into a syphon and it brings out the flavour of the coffee along with some delicious pastries and cakes.
On-Site Facilities for the Whole Family
For younger kids we saw that there was a kids club, everything was spotless clean and from what we saw the staff were wonderful with the little ones.
There is a also a spa which includes an outdoor swimming pool and steam room. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to use the steam room because you do need to set this up 30 min to 1h before use, and we were not aware of that.
Advice: the steam room needs to be booked 30–60 minutes in advance, which we weren’t aware of at the time — something worth planning ahead for.
The gym was all new and very well equipped, with all the main machines and an area for weight lifting and stretching. We loved that the cardio machines overlooked the seafront.
Final Thoughts: Would We Stay Again?
If you are visiting Penang, Malaysia, and looking for a hotel that feels like a luxury home, with all the services and a welcoming staff, we would definitely recommend Marriott Executive Apartments Penang. We really enjoyed our stay here, and the 2-bedroom apartment was perfect for our family.
Disclosure: This stay was kindly hosted as part of a PR collaboration with Marriott Executive Apartments Penang. We were under no obligation to write positively, and all thoughts and opinions shared here are completely unbiased and reflect our true experience.
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Here’s a list of 6 top things to do in Penang, Malaysia, with links for more information:
- Discover Street Art & Cultural Trails – Follow the famous mural trail (including works by Ernest Zacharevic) and uncover hidden alleys, cafés, and local boutiques. Penang street art trail highlights
- Explore George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – Wander the historic streets, admire colonial architecture, and enjoy the vibrant street art that Penang is famous for. Explore George Town and its streets
- Visit Penang Hill & Ride the Funicular – Take the funicular railway up Penang Hill for sweeping views, nature walks, and cool breezes above the city. Penang Hill & Funicular guide
- Visit Kek Lok Si Temple – One of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temples, known for its beautiful pagodas, intricate architecture, and panoramic views. Kek Lok Si Temple travel info
- Step inside Pinang Peranakan Mansion – Step into the world of the Peranakans (Straits Chinese) with a visit to this elegant historic house museum full of antiques and cultural artefacts. Pinang Peranakan Mansion info
- Enjoy Batu Ferringhi Beach – Relax on one of Penang’s most famous beaches, great for sunset walks, water sports, and local night markets. Penang beach & Batu Ferringhi activities
