Pros

  • Rock bottom rates with 24/7 security
  • Downtown George Town location near restaurants and attractions
  • Basic rooms with comfortable beds and walk-in showers
  • Lobby lounge and cafe
  • Foosball and pool table
  • 24-hour Internet corner
  • Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
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Cons

  • Many rooms have no windows and we spotted worn furniture
  • No TVs or mini-fridges in rooms
  • Fee for Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, towels, and toiletries
  • Breakfast not included
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The 248-room Tune Hotel Downtown Penang, like others in the budget chain, offers a bare-bones bed-and-shower concept, with almost everything else costing an extra fee. The hotel's base rates are some of the lowest in Penang, and though the rooms in this budget hotel are tiny, the beds are comfortable and the showers are hot. Many don't have windows, a flaw that can be made worse by the extra fee for air-conditioning. Travelers looking to visit the historic heart of the city may consider the Armenian Street Heritage Hotel, which is more expensive, but Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and other amenities are included.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Tune Hotel George Town Penang

Scene

Budget chain hotel with rock-bottom rates

Inside the entrance of this budget chain outpost, a wall-sized banner for the adjacent 7-Eleven extols the cooling benefits of the Slurpee, a true temptation in Penang's considerable heat (especially in a hotel where the air-conditioning is not included for free). Local Malaysians, along with Chinese and Singaporean guests, mingle with the few U.K. budget travelers who take advantage of the cheap rates and simple facilities -- most of which are all contained within the plainly decorated lobby, where gleaming white tile floors and walls are accented by red vinyl seating -- the look is superficially sleek and simple. Like all Tune Hotels, the hotel's own advertising is a main design feature, and the mostly red-and-white slogans are emblazoned on everything from doors to mirrors throughout the property.

See More Scene

Location

Downtown George Town, outside of the historic district

The Tune Hotel Downtown Penang is located on a busy main road next door to a 7-Eleven There are plenty of fast food joints, chain coffee shops, and numerous local eateries in every direction. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage district is a 15-minute walk to the east, with its bustling bazaars, hawkers, and vibrant street art. Komtar Tower is an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and there's a bus stop on Jalan Burma that's only two minutes away on foot. The Penang Museum is a five-minute drive, and cultural tourist attractions like Khoo Kongsi, Kuan Yin Temple, and the Kapitan Keling Mosque are 10 minutes or less away by car (all can be reached on foot in 20 minutes for guests who don't mind walks in the heat). Penang International Airport is about a 30-minute drive toward the south end of the island. 

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Rooms

Basic, budget rooms with walk-in showers

All 248 rooms feature simple, but pleasantly modern decor with a neutral color palette and gray accent walls festooned with a white floral and bamboo motif. The designs add a nice decorative touch to otherwise plain, compact rooms. Large mirrors above wooden headboards help give depth to the tiny rooms, with wood bedside tables and simple pull-down shelves that can double as small tables -- we did spot a significant amount of wear on the furniture. Many of the rooms have no windows and were musty, a fact exacerbated by the area's heat and the fee for air-conditioning. Each room also has a ceiling fan. Wi-Fi incurs a fee as well, as do basic amenities like towels and toiletries. There are no TVs, mini-fridges, or tea/coffeemakers. The tiled bathrooms have glass walk-in showers. 

See More Rooms

Features

Lobby lounge with games, an Internet corner, and a cafe

Free Wi-Fi is provided in the lobby and there is an Internet corner with a few computer stations. The lounge has a pool table and a Foosball table amid red vinyl couches and chairs, with a gift shop selling artwork and branded Tune Hotel items like baseball caps, travel mugs, and luggage scales. There's also a tour and ticketing office on-site. A third party operates the cafe, F.O.C. Coffee, with breakfast available (not included). 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Tune Hotel George Town Penang

Also Known As

  • Tune Hotels. com Downtown Penang

Address

100 Jalan Burmah, Section 15, George Town 10050, Penang Island

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Tune Hotel George Town Penang

Scene

Budget chain hotel with rock-bottom rates

Inside the entrance of this budget chain outpost, a wall-sized banner for the adjacent 7-Eleven extols the cooling benefits of the Slurpee, a true temptation in Penang's considerable heat (especially in a hotel where the air-conditioning is not included for free). Local Malaysians, along with Chinese and Singaporean guests, mingle with the few U.K. budget travelers who take advantage of the cheap rates and simple facilities -- most of which are all contained within the plainly decorated lobby, where gleaming white tile floors and walls are accented by red vinyl seating -- the look is superficially sleek and simple. Like all Tune Hotels, the hotel's own advertising is a main design feature, and the mostly red-and-white slogans are emblazoned on everything from doors to mirrors throughout the property.

See More Scene

Location

Downtown George Town, outside of the historic district

The Tune Hotel Downtown Penang is located on a busy main road next door to a 7-Eleven There are plenty of fast food joints, chain coffee shops, and numerous local eateries in every direction. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage district is a 15-minute walk to the east, with its bustling bazaars, hawkers, and vibrant street art. Komtar Tower is an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and there's a bus stop on Jalan Burma that's only two minutes away on foot. The Penang Museum is a five-minute drive, and cultural tourist attractions like Khoo Kongsi, Kuan Yin Temple, and the Kapitan Keling Mosque are 10 minutes or less away by car (all can be reached on foot in 20 minutes for guests who don't mind walks in the heat). Penang International Airport is about a 30-minute drive toward the south end of the island. 

See More Location

Rooms

Basic, budget rooms with walk-in showers

All 248 rooms feature simple, but pleasantly modern decor with a neutral color palette and gray accent walls festooned with a white floral and bamboo motif. The designs add a nice decorative touch to otherwise plain, compact rooms. Large mirrors above wooden headboards help give depth to the tiny rooms, with wood bedside tables and simple pull-down shelves that can double as small tables -- we did spot a significant amount of wear on the furniture. Many of the rooms have no windows and were musty, a fact exacerbated by the area's heat and the fee for air-conditioning. Each room also has a ceiling fan. Wi-Fi incurs a fee as well, as do basic amenities like towels and toiletries. There are no TVs, mini-fridges, or tea/coffeemakers. The tiled bathrooms have glass walk-in showers. 

See More Rooms

Features

Lobby lounge with games, an Internet corner, and a cafe

Free Wi-Fi is provided in the lobby and there is an Internet corner with a few computer stations. The lounge has a pool table and a Foosball table amid red vinyl couches and chairs, with a gift shop selling artwork and branded Tune Hotel items like baseball caps, travel mugs, and luggage scales. There's also a tour and ticketing office on-site. A third party operates the cafe, F.O.C. Coffee, with breakfast available (not included). 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.