Flamingo Hotel by the Beach, Penang

This hotel offers a memorable stay, particularly noted for its spacious rooms and stunning sea views from private balconies, providing a picturesque backdrop for relaxation. Its signature feature is the direct beach access, allowing guests to easily enjoy the coastline. The hotel is well-suited for families due to its large accommodations and kid-friendly pool, while couples can appreciate the romantic ambiance and beautiful vistas. Sightseers and business travelers will find the location convenient for exploring or attending events. To enhance your experience, guests recommend requesting a room on a higher floor for the best views and being mindful of the pool's cleaning schedule to maximize swim time. Consider using ride-sharing services for convenient transportation to further attractions.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently highlight the generously spacious rooms and the inclusion of private balconies, many offering impressive sea views. The air conditioning generally functions well, ensuring a comfortable environment. Rooms are equipped with practical amenities such as a fridge, safety box, ironing set, hair dryer, beverage set, and complimentary drinking water. A thoughtful addition for Muslim guests is the Qiblat direction. The well-maintained pool is a major draw, though some guests find it can get crowded, especially with children. While a gym is available, some reviews note it is a bit dated and lacks proper ventilation. The hotel also features bars and a coffee machine that have recently been brought back into service, enhancing common areas. Free Wi-Fi is provided, and conveniences like ice machines and vending machines are available. Some guests mention old TVs with limited channels and occasional faulty electrical outlets, and note the absence of a microwave in rooms. The spa and kids club are unfortunately no longer operational.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is mixed but generally positive for renovated areas. Many guests praise the clean rooms and comfortable beds, ensuring a restful stay. The spacious bathrooms are often noted, and many rooms offer desirable sea views. The air conditioning is typically effective, contributing to overall comfort. However, a recurring concern for some guests is the presence of ants or other bugs within the rooms, including in beds and bathrooms. Some older rooms are described as smelly rooms or having dirty bathrooms with signs of mold. Issues like wet floors, broken shower spray, and toilet hand spray have been reported. A few guests experienced bed bug bites. While most find the rooms quiet, some mention noisy air conditioning or external noise levels from neighboring properties. Other reported issues include torn bedsheets, dusty furniture, and inconsistent cold showers or no hot water, along with faulty door locks.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast receives varied feedback regarding its variety and food quality. Most guests appreciate the wide selection of options, including homemade pastries and decent coffee. However, some express disappointment, finding the buffet offerings limited or repetitive, with slow replenishment of items. Specific criticisms include oily food, undercooked rice, dry chicken, plain curry, and a particularly poor char kuey tiaw. The breakfast area can become very crowded, leading to long waits for seating and food. Some guests note the absence of a proper coffee machine and a lack of fruit or chicken options. Room service food has been a source of dissatisfaction for some, with reports of guests falling ill. The restaurant and bar facilities are available, but some guests found the bar to have limited drink choices. Additionally, there is no food service available late at night.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a central location that is highly valued by guests, placing them conveniently near various restaurants and shops. Its proximity to the beach with private beach access is a significant advantage, allowing for easy enjoyment of the seaside. The hotel is well-connected to public transportation, with Rapid Bus stops nearby, making it easy to access other areas. Many guests find it convenient to use Grab taxi services for exploring. There are also good dining options, such as an Indian food restaurant, directly across the street. While the location is generally praised, some guests note that the beach water can be murky water and there are jellyfish warnings. The beach access gate closes early, and the beach itself lacks amenities like chairs or loungers. Parking is available, though some guests found it limited or expensive. Crossing the main road crossing can also be challenging due to traffic.

Staff & Service
The friendly staff consistently receives high praise from many guests, who highlight their helpful and attentive nature. The quick check-in and smooth check-out processes are frequently mentioned as positive aspects. Guests appreciate the accommodating approach of the reception team and the efficiency of housekeeping. The bellman and pool attendant are often singled out for their excellent service, with the pool attendant being particularly good with children. However, some guests report negative experiences, including a rude security guard upon arrival. There are also instances of slow service for room service and at breakfast, and a perceived lack of accountability from the hotel regarding damaged guest property. Some guests noted a language barrier with certain foreign staff members, and a few felt that some staff were unmotivated or unhelpful, particularly when dealing with specific requests or issues.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain extra charges that may apply, such as for additional drinking water or access cards, which some find unexpected. The hotel's pool closing times are earlier than many other establishments, with the pool closing at 7 PM and also undergoing cleaning between 11 AM and 12 PM daily, which can be inconvenient for guests. While the hotel generally maintains a non-smoking environment, there have been instances of guests smoking in the pool area despite the hotel's smoking policy. Some reviews mention occasional power outages affecting room amenities. For Muslim guests, the provision of Qiblat direction in rooms is a thoughtful and appreciated feature. The hotel does not have a specific destination fee but rather charges for certain amenities or services as they are requested.