Home to a concentric mélange of ethnicities, cultures, and religions, Penang extends a deeply cordial welcome to its tourists. With a considerable portion of its population being Indian, this island has transformed itself into the perfect getaway venue for a destination wedding — a home away from home, indeed.
Located on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the island provides picturesque wedding backdrops, including rainforest orchards, lush gardens, romantic waterfalls, and renowned serene beaches. To make your experience even more memorable, Penang has some of the most incredible and well-planned, man-built architectural marvels, like TOP’s Rainbow Skywalk, as the most preferred spots for a pre or post-wedding shoot. Situated at the height of 250 metres above ground, the skywalk gives you a panoramic view from its curved glass bottom.
With a subtle touch of European architecture combined with beautiful art on its streets, the ambience of the entire city is a delight to behold. The ride to the island’s goodness doesn’t end here, as it holds some of the best culinary artists, providing you with delectable that are nothing short of paradise.
Also, to keep your guests entertained, Penang has a bundle of exhilarating and adventurous activities they can indulge in between ceremonies. Since the list of reasons why this tropical island is perfect for a dreamy wedding is endless, we thought of devising a list of hotels and resorts that can turn your wedding into a grand affair.
Shangri La Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang
This five-star property is nestled amidst dense rainforests that infinitely add to its charm, exemplary services and an outstanding staff that will do their best to execute your dream wedding. What is even better is their expansive tropical gardens, which feature a lagoon pool, a top favourite of their guests. Shangri La Rasa is one of the properties that always impress their guests with extravagance and grandeur. This lavish property has 304 rooms, ideal for accommodating guests for a big, fat Indian wedding. Their rooms are magnificent in and of themselves, furnished in traditional Minangkabau style with carefully selected artefacts that will elevate your entire stay to a new level. You can exchange your vows against the dreamy backdrop of melodious oceans or even century-old rain trees — a charismatic spot for your timeless romance. The blissful feeling of freshly cut grass beneath your feet and blossoming roses adding to the fragrance of your love and happiness is met by their Banyan Tree Garden venue, apt for an intimate gathering. The garden can accommodate up to 100 people. Although if you’re fond of indoor settings, the resort has its Pelangi Ballroom, the ideal pillarless venue for an unforgettable wedding celebration in a charming setting beneath opulent chandeliers. The grand ballroom can seat 700 people.
Getting There: It takes 48 minutes from Penang International Airport.
Lone Pine Boutique Hotel
This charming property has existed on this island for over seven decades, exuding elegance and charisma. Lone Pine Boutique Hotel provides magnificence and minimalism — all wrapped up in one — making it a top choice for intimate weddings. For couples looking for an exquisite outdoor venue to exchange vows, this boutique property just might be the answer. They provide a lush green backdrop with their garden venue option, accommodating up to 200 guests comfortably. Although it can stretch towards their beachfront, packing in the goodness of the ocean breeze and tropical bliss and accommodating around 350 wedding guests, they even have the Angsana Room. This beautiful indoor venue can be decorated to suit your wedding theme and provides ample space for 110 guests. The architecture of this property is breathtaking, inspired by the colonial era’s pastoral appeal and balanced with a subtle hint of contemporary design. In addition, they have 90 luxurious rooms with exclusive courtyards and terraces to captivate your wedding guests.
Getting There: It takes 49 minutes from Penang International Airport.
Eastern And Oriental Hotel
This luxurious hotel’s walls reverberate and vibrate with rich history, having been touched by acclaimed writers, aspiring literati, and curious explorers seeking an exotic Eastern experience. Standing on its own for decades, the Eastern and Oriental Hotel is a name that resonates with grandiosity and hospitality. Located in the heart of George Town for over 135 years, it embodies the timeless legacy of the British colonial era, raising standards with further additions to its Heritage Wing. With its talented staff that will leave no stone unturned in executing your dream wedding, the property is a top pick for couples. Generations of guests and visitors have chosen its ballroom and function spaces as the backdrop for special occasions such as weddings. The Grand Ballroom in the Heritage Wing comfortably seats 400 people and is equipped with an entire stage, royal boxes, and a gallery. Five function suites are also available for groups ranging from 10 to 150 people. The Victory Annexe features the 290-seat Macalister Ballroom and five function suites that can be configured to accommodate groups of 15 to 150 people. The E&O is a natural venue for weddings, thanks to a professional team of event organisers, cutting-edge technology, and legendary service.
Getting There: It takes 26 minutes from Penang International Airport.
Parkroyal Penang Resort
Built with the vision to inculcate a culture of trust and respect in its foundation, create memorable experiences for guests and staff, and thrive on sustainability over profits, the Parkroyal Penang resort boasts itself as a premier choice amongst wedding parties. This luxury property has been decorated with prestigious awards like Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice, TTG Travel Awards, and a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for years. The property is a testament to gracious and dependable hospitality, providing guests unforgettable experiences. With over 300 lavish rooms, this resort is perfect for hosting your fairy-tale wedding amidst the exquisite surroundings of Batu Ferringhi. You can even choose from their range of indoor and outdoor spaces to mark the occasion, whether it’s a lavish banquet or an intimate ceremony. Their staff understands your needs and helps you execute your dream wedding, so you can kick back and relax while they see to your arrangements every step of the way. The resort believes in providing only high-end services to its guests, whether wedding décor or food.
Getting There: It takes 50 minutes from Penang International Airport.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Looking for a regal experience that you or your guests can remember for generations to come? Leave it to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The entire mansion is available to you for your wedding and other ceremonies, with a capacity of up to 100 people in its courtyard. It is ideal for a private event and can accommodate up to 38 people in its 18 rooms, architectured with artistic and chic modern designs. For a lush tropical experience, you can host your event in their elegant garden amidst an array of vibrant and fragrant flowers. The hotel’s themed dinners at Indigo are renowned for hosting private dinners with your loved ones. This restaurant tailors the menu appointed to your specific needs, combining East and West in its interiors and the chef’s exquisite cuisine.
The mansion has a beautiful history. Cheong Fatt Tze fell in love with the sophisticated charm of traditional Chinese houses and wanted to preserve their heritage and architecture for future generations. The place has a homey aura, which is rare and much appreciated by its guests.
Getting There: It takes 28 minutes from Penang International Airport.