Ladies’ Getaway
Penang, Malaysia - 21 to 24 March 2026
Day 1 : Arrival Drama & Shopping Therapy
We landed in Penang early Saturday morning, ready for adventure…… and immediately met our first hiccup! Our pre-booked airport pick-up didn’t show.😅 No worries, taxi to the hotel it is. The front desk handled it like a pro - refunded our pre-paid fare and even arranged early check-in. Score one for Lexis Suites Penang!
Hotel room - Spacious and comfortable, with two queen beds, his & hers sinks, and an in-room pool. The decor could use a refresh, but honestly, it did not matter. We had all the space we needed. Bonus - there is a gym and a games area for kids and adults.
After dropping our bags, we grabbed a quick Texa Chicken lunch at Queensbay Mall, did some window shopping and walked it off follow by a foot massage. Dinner was HaiDiLiao before crashing for the night.
Day 2 : Hike, Turtle Beach, Spa & Seafood Bliss
After a hearty hotel breakfast, we embarked on a hike at Penang National Park. Based on recommendations, we took the route to Turtle Beach and quickly we learnt that “short hike” and “hill ascents” are two very different things. Up, up, up…… then down, then up again😂. Took us about 2+ hours, but we made it with 15mintues to spare for our mid-day boat ride.
Lunch : Quick stop at Taiwan Kochabi (台湾古早味). Tiny place huge flavor (a gen we stumbled upon).
Afternoon : 2 hour massage at Imperial Thai Spa. Let’s just say all those hiking knots did not stand a chance.
Evening : Short walk to the beach for our first seafood fix at Good Friend Seafood - crab, vegetable dish and Hor fun @ RM82! Heaven on a plate!
Day 3 : Georgetown Adventures & Balcony Feasting
Dim Sum at Tai Tong (大同) in Georgetown started the day. Nothing mind-blowing, but good enough. The heat soon drove us to ChinaHouse for coffee and cake.
Special highlight : catching up with my retired ex-boss, Dano! He gave us a mini tour of Blue Mansion, including the spot where Crazy Rich Asians was filmed. Drinks at the bar, studying artifacts, and reminiscing - absolute joy!
Evening : Back at the hotel, we went full-on seafood mode - 2 crabs, 2 vegetable dishes, and spotted a satay stall - 10 sticks, balcony dinner by the pool was served. Ended the night with a fruit platter and fresh juices from room service. Epic!
Day 4 : Final Breakfast, Dip in the Pool & Lunch Before Departure
Packed, checked out by 11am, and since our flight was at 5pm, no rush. We grabbed lunch at Kenny Hills Bakers @ Bayan Lepas, savored some coffee, and enjoyed the last moments in Penang before heading to the airport
Trip Takeaways / Tips
Airport pick-up : Always double-check. Hotels often refund if things go wrong.
Hiking : Turtle Beach is deceptively tough; wear good shoes.
Food : Tiny local eateries can surprise you. Taiwan Kochabi, do not skip it!
Spa : Post-hike massage a MUST!
Evening seafood + drinks : Balcony by the pool = instant vacation vibe.
Friends & memories : Reconnecting with people like Dano make trips unforgetable.