Shangri-la Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia. Our first trip to Penang was destined to be about food (from famous Penang street food and hawker stalls to a cooking class with Nonya food expert Pearly Kee), enjoying the street art of Penang and plenty of time by the pool. Penang is a beautiful island. Tropical and very friendly, with a wonderful mix of beaches, culture, food and colourful heritage streets. We were really looking forward to exploring it as part of our family travels around Malaysia. Having just left the Shangri-la in Kuala Lumpur it was great to be spending more time at this lovely hotel group. If you’re looking for a family beach resort in Penang, particularly around Batu Ferringhi, the Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort is a fantastic option for families with children thanks to its pools, kids club, beachfront location and easy access to Georgetown. Here’s our honest review of the Shangri-la Golden Sands Resort, Penang.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Hotel & location – Shangri-la Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia
Situated along the main stretch of beach in Batu Ferringhi the Shangri-la Golden Sands is about 20 minutes outside of George Town, Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage city.. It is somewhere to really get away from the hustle and bustle and just relax.
The resort has a huge amount of leisure facilities with two pools – one of which is partly covered which is great during the midday heat – and also a children’s pool with a waterslide.
There’s a soft play centre – Adventure Zone and also everything from golf to tennis courts. On the beach, there are various water sports on offer. From parasailing to hiring jet skis. Or if that all sounds way too energetic you can have a massage down there or a reflexology session.
One of the best things about staying here is the balance between beach resort relaxation and access to Penang’s attractions. You can spend the morning exploring temples, street art and food markets in George Town before returning to the hotel for an afternoon by the pool.
The Batu Ferringhi night market is also directly outside the hotel in the evenings, making it easy to browse souvenirs, clothing and local snacks without needing transport.
Sleeps
We stayed in two interconnecting rooms which had either a double or twin bed.
This worked brilliantly for our family and made travelling with children really easy. The interconnecting rooms gave everyone space without feeling cramped.
There was also a good sized bathroom.
There was also a balcony that was securely locked.
We were also lucky enough to be on the side with sea views. Which really did have the most glorious vista across the pools, beach and ocean.
Waking up to the views across the Malacca Strait was one of our favourite parts of the stay. The sunsets from the balcony were particularly beautiful.
Food at Shangri-la Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia
We only ate bits and pieces from the restaurants like a pizza which was really good and some spring rolls.
Breakfast in the morning was quite chaotic on the weekend. There was a lack of bowls and cups holding everything up for a while.
Once these bottlenecks were sorted out it was better.
They have a good spread of pastries as well as hot dishes including a dedicated eggs chef and someone whipping up roti canai which the children adored.
The breakfast buffet is especially good if you want to try Malaysian food without leaving the hotel. Alongside Western breakfast items there were local dishes including noodles, curries and tropical fruits.
The fresh roti canai quickly became a family favourite and was one of the highlights for the children each morning.
The Best Bits
The location of the Golden Sands is great. There’s the hustle and bustle of the road out of the front and the fun night market which springs up every evening is completely forgotten once you’re inside. But nice to be able to visit when you want to.
It really is a place to stop and relax a while. We all loved the pools and spent the longest time enjoying them.
For families visiting Penang with kids, the swimming pools are definitely one of the biggest highlights. The waterslide and dedicated children’s pool meant the kids could happily spend hours swimming while we relaxed nearby.
We also loved how tropical the resort feels. With palm trees, ocean views and warm air day and night, it really gives you that classic beach holiday atmosphere.
The staff were also incredibly kind throughout our stay. We found this across Malaysia in general, but certainly here too.
Worth Bearing in Mind – Shangri-la Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia
Batu Ferrenghi is a bit of a distance out of Georgetown. The hotel does put on a shuttle bus which is free but you have to pre-book to reserve your space on it.
This runs every hour but the last bus back is at 5.30 which is too early if you want to eat out in Georgetown which is a shame.
We took the public bus – the 101 – which goes regularly and is very cheap. But it did get very busy and lively at night.
Traffic in Penang can also be quite slow at busy times, so it’s worth factoring this in if you’re planning day trips into George Town or further around the island.
That said, Grab taxis are very affordable in Malaysia and we found them a really convenient way to travel with children.
Child Friendly?
Absolutely, the kids loved it there.
The oldest two spent one morning at the kids club where they made kites and took part in other arts and craft activities. Kids Club is free to hotel residents and they will even give them lunch and dinner.
The Activity Zone is great fun and a good place to get out of the sun or any rain for a while. Adults have to be present but there are places to sit and enjoy a coffee. Kids do need to have long-sleeved tops and socks on to take part, although you can buy these in the Activity Zone.
One thing that makes the Shangri-La Golden Sands one of the best family hotels in Penang is how easy it is for parents. There’s enough entertainment onsite that you don’t constantly need to plan activities.
The combination of pools, the beach, the kids club and the indoor Adventure Zone means there is always something for children to do, whatever the weather.
We really enjoyed our time at Golden Sands. It’s a great resort to spend time just enjoying the sunshine and the refreshing pools and take a breather for a while.
Things to do near Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort Penang
Visit George Town
A stay at the Shangri-La Golden Sands also gives you easy access to one of Malaysia’s most fascinating cities. George Town is packed with colourful street art, heritage buildings, temples and incredible food.
Children will enjoy spotting the famous murals dotted across the streets, while adults will love exploring the cafés and historic architecture.
Read our full review of exploring Penang’s street art here.
Explore Penang’s street food scene
Penang is often considered the food capital of Malaysia and trying the local dishes is an essential part of any trip.
Some dishes to look out for include char kway teow, Penang laksa, satay skewers and cendol. Even picky eaters should find plenty they enjoy thanks to the huge variety on offer.
Take the Penang Hill funicular
Penang Hill is a brilliant family day out with cooler temperatures and spectacular views over the island. The funicular railway ride itself is exciting for children and there are walking trails and cafés at the top.
Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the largest Buddhist temples in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si is colourful, peaceful and fascinating to wander around. The giant statue and ornate buildings make it especially memorable.
Relax on Batu Ferringhi beach
While the sea here can sometimes be a little choppy, the long stretch of sand is lovely for sunset walks and children will enjoy watching the jet skis and parasailing boats heading out across the water.
Read our top things to do in Penang with kids here.
FAQ – Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort Penang
Yes, it’s one of the best family resorts in Penang thanks to its waterslides, kids club, family rooms and beachfront location.
Batu Ferringhi is ideal if you want a beach holiday feel with easy access to George Town. It’s more relaxed than staying in the city centre and particularly good for families.
The hotel is around 20–30 minutes from George Town depending on traffic.
Yes, there is a free kids club for hotel guests with activities including crafts and games.
Yes, the hotel is directly on Batu Ferringhi beach with water sports and beach activities nearby.
Yes, there are dedicated children’s pools and waterslides which are excellent for younger guests.
Ready to book a stay at the Shangri-la Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia?
You can find out more at about the Shangri-la Golden Sands hotel and book your own stay here and don’t forget to check out our diary of two weeks in Malaysia with kids. We also have a dedicated feature on the best Things to do in Penang with kids and travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang by bus.
I know that hotel well. We stayed at Park Royal but had friends staying at this hotel when we visited in 2004. Lovely hotel complex