Review: Golden Sands Resort, Penang

Travelling with your family to Penang Island? The award-winning Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, located on Penang's renowned Batu Ferringhi Beach, is perfect for family staycations, thanks to a multitude of child-friendly facilities and leisure activities on offer.

This family-friendly beach resort boasts three swimming pools within the lush tropical gardens which caters for different age groups and skill levels. At one of the swimming pools, there is a shallow and shaded area for kids to play in. There is also a Splash Zone, a mini waterpark with two water slides,  complete with a landing pool, and an anti-slip splash pad with tipping water bucket, water cannons and twisting water jets - hours of fun guaranteed for the young ones! Our children had a splashing good time playing at the Splash Zone and going down the slide countless times.

For the adults, there is an additional adults-only 3m deep pool as well as a whirlpool under the palm trees to have a relaxing soak in.

Splash Zone

For kids aged 5 to 12 years old, there is a Cool Zone Kids Club located at the Mezzanine Floor at Adventure Zone. You may sign your kids up here daily, and they will be well looked after by the friendly staff all day long. The children can engage in fun, organised activities such as coconut bowling, golf putting, origami, sand art and more. The Kids Club is complimentary for hotel guests and open daily from 9.30am to 9pm, with lunch and dinner provided.

Golden Sands Resort is also home to Penang's first indoor playground, Adventure Zone. This 10,300 sq ft air-conditioned indoor facility or play area offers three thrilling drop slides, modular play equipment as well as a toddler zone for the little ones. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, socks are compulsory and long sleeved shirts must be worn when using any of the drop slides. Open daily from 10am to 7pm, the entrance fee is  RM45 for half-day package, or RM22.50 for two-hour session for resort guests.

Great for rainy afternoons or when you need a respite from the heat outdoors.

Next to the Adventure Zone is the Eco Centre, where you can learn more about the turtle life cycle and conservation.  At the resort, you will also find a 9-hole Par 3 "Pitch and Putt" golf course next to Adventure Zone, table tennis, giant chess, beach volleyball, mini soccer, petanque, garden reflexology, tennis courts, a watersport centre and herb garden. There are also a range of recreational activities available, such as pool games, jungle walk, tai chi, cooking class, speed badminton, cocktail mixing demo, snake show and more.

For those wanting to explore Penang, a complimentary shuttle is provided to George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just 20 minutes away. There is also the Batu Feringgi Night Bazaar right in front of the hotel where you can find a variety of souvenirs, local crafts, and street food. Other family-friendly attractions nearby are the Tropical Spice Garden, Entopia and Escape Theme Park, where you can find the world's longest slide!

Take a stroll on the sandy beach and feel the golden sand between your toes. There is a specially cordoned off area where you can also enjoy a dip in the warm sea. In the evening, catch the beautiful sunset right at the beach. 

There are 387 well-appointed guestrooms and suites in the resort, with Malay-inspired touches such as wooden carved panels with sea-kelp designs and a view of either the hills or beautiful sea. We stayed in the Executive Suite, which is extra spacious and suited for families. The suite comes with a king-sized bed as well as a separate living area with a Murphy bed (retractable wall beds). The suite also comes with a large wrap-around balcony, offering stunning views of the resort and the beachfront. 

Our suite also comes with two 43" SMART television, coffee/tea making facilities and a mini refrigerator. Instead of plastic bottles, the resort provides bottled drinking water as part of their green initiative. The bathrooms come with a bathtub and separate shower cubicles along with premium Shangri-La toiletries. 

Breakfast is served daily at Garden Cafe, where you will find an exceptional selection of local and International favourites (we loved the freshly made waffles!). Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the open-air restaurant while overlooking the tropical greenery.

For a delicious Italian meal, head over to Sigi's Bar & Grill for homemade pastas, pizzas, grilled delicacies and delectable desserts. Sigi's also offers a Sunset Grill by the Beach every Sunday featuring grilled cuts and seafood as well as a whole lamb on a spit. The breezy Lobby Lounge serves a variety of refreshing beverages, light snacks and afternoon tea. 

Click here for our full review of Sigi's Sunset Grill by the Beach.

For the convenience of guests, other facilities at the resort include a Cool Lounge, a transit lounge facility with changing rooms and showers, library and Internet stations for early arrivals and late departures, a shopping arcade as well as self-service laundrette with token operated washer and drier.

Golden Sands Resort is offering a special Malaysian Residents Package, where Malaysians can enjoy 25% discount off bookings made from now until 20 December 2019.Other perks include daily buffet breakfast at Garden Cafe, free scheduled shuttle bus service to George Town and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort. In addition, RM50 food and beverage credit per stay at Golden Sands Resort will be accorded.  This offer is available from today until 20 December 2019 on Shangri-La’s website and mobile app.


Check-in time 3pm; check out time 12pm.

Location: Golden Sands Resort, Batu Feringgi Beach, Penang 11100 Malaysia. (complimentary on-site parking for guests).

Tel: +60 (4) 886 1911

Website: https://www.shangri-la.com/penang/goldensandsresort/


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