A budget vacation gives the opportunity to enjoy simpler but yet equally memorable experiences.
MY friends and I make a beeline for Penang Sentral as soon as the KTM Komuter train comes to a grinding halt at its penultimate Butterworth terminus.
With covered walkways shielding from the slight drizzle, the three of us make quick work of the distance and heave a sigh of relief after arriving at the nick of time before Rapid Penang's passenger-only ferry departed.
Taking advantage of the brief 10-minute journey across the Penang Strait to indulge in self-contemplation, we agree that the chosen transportation mode gives our first vacation since March 2020 a rather surreal feeling.
More accustomed to driving our own vehicles into the island for meet-ups in the past, all of us have somehow or rather been adversely affected by the pandemic and decided to adopt a more budget conscious approach this time around.
Arriving at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, we alight under the shadow of a hulking luxury liner nearby and board the Rapid Penang bus destined for the main KOMTAR interchange.
Along the way, a sense of liberation overwhelms as we sit back and take in the many interesting sights while leaving the cautious bus driver to contend with the incessantly heavy George Town traffic.
After alighting, we cross Jalan Magazine and take a short cut through The Wembley - A St Giles Hotel to arrive at Cititel Express Penang in less than five minutes.
Considering our current financial limitations, this strategically located hotel ticks all the right boxes while ensuring a memorable stay.
In fact, the hotel is so confident of its value for money room rates that it has a long standing policy of offering a further 10% discount on proof of a competing rate for the same room type, offer conditions and date.
STAY
Making our money go even further, we opt for the family room which comes with a larger queen size bed that accommodates two and a slightly smaller single bed instead of our initially intended two separate rooms.
Nearly double in size compared to the superior and single queen room categories, our choice boasts of a well thought out 312 sq ft floor plan that puts space to optimal use.
We are delighted to find there is more than sufficient space in the built-in wardrobe for all our things and our luggage bags fit perfectly under the LCD TV console.
While the common ironing area on each guest floor helps free up more useable room capacity, good communication between us ensures that the singular bathroom is not a stumbling block.
Epitomising a truly smart, clean and simple hotel concept for both leisure and business travellers, all 234 rooms at Cititel Express Penang are well equipped with broadband Internet access and a useful range of in-room facilities like coffee/tea making conveniences.
While making full use of the air-conditioning and ceiling fan combination for faster room cooling effect, we take turns to rejuvenate under the refreshing rain shower. The spacious bathroom with its useful toiletries further reinforce belief that we have indeed secured a bargain for our stay.
GO
Walking out through the main entrance at Lebuh Noordin for a well deserved late lunch, sight of a popular 1950s Chinese movie banner on the hotel facade immediately brings to mind that the place occupied by Cititel Express Penang used to be the famous Wembley Park where European theatrical troupes and local bangsawan performers entertained the locals.
During its heyday, American operetta and vaudeville together with Javanese tonil drew crowds who came by the droves from neighbouring Kedah and Perak.
The exciting past lingers today in the form of ornate colonial era shophouses lining Lebuh Noordin and its surrounding streets. It is a joy to wander along the sheltered five-footway and marvel at the captivating facade while stealing occasional peeks through open doorways that reveal equally interesting interiors.
Delicious bowls of piping hot beef broth at Jalan Gurdwara's Restoran Sup Hameed prove to be just the right tonic to sustain our continued exploration on foot.
Apart from checking out vanishing trades like age-old joss stick, songkok, rattan basket and signboard making enterprises, our cost efficient sojourn also gives opportunity to recce hidden alleys and side streets for murals and installations that bear reminders of George Town's interesting past.
Ending our walk with a sumptuous bowl of curry mee each at a traditional coffee shop along Jalan Magazine, we head back to Cititel Express Penang for a well-earned rest before walking across the road to 1st Avenue Mall and its adjoining Prangin Mall for a bout of window shopping.
EAT
As the day draws to a close, we give ourselves a pat on the back for managing to stay well below the planned budget. Pooling the remaining cash while leaving aside enough for the next day's return trip, we treat ourselves to a sumptuous spread of succulent seafood and many Malaysian delights like freshly grilled satay, roast chicken and spice filled rendang at Wembley Cafe next door.
Qualifying for senior citizen's rate, the surf & turf buffet dinner is definitely a bargain for us. Going by the fresh scallops, tasty prawns and flavourful slipper lobsters consumed together with so many other equally delightful main courses and desserts, the magnificent dinner is the perfect close to a truly memorable day.
DO
On the way back to the room, we discuss CNN's latest revelation about the booming sleep tourism industry worldwide and the way hotels are taking on roles as wellness retreats.
Sleep will definitely come easy for us as we adopt some of the proposed measures and wake up rejuvenated enough tomorrow for another outing before bidding George Town farewell.
VERDICTS
HIGHS Its value-for-money room rates and strategic location
LOWS
FAST FACTS
Cititel Express Penang
123, Lebuh Noordin,
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
TEL 04-259 1188
EMAIL info@cititelexpress-penang.com
WEBSITE www.cititelexpress-penang.com
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