Luxury Hotels in Sungai Nibong, Penang Island

Sungai Nibong or literally translated as Nibong River, is a suburb southwest of George Town, being located on Penang Island, Malaysia. It is located closely to the Penang Second Bridge and Batu Uban. Being part of the Southwest Penang Island district, Sungai Nibong is approximately 16 kilometers away from state capital, George Town, being administered under the Penang Island City Council. A lot of commercial shops and exclusive condominiums are built here in close proximities to each other. In addition to that, the island’s express bus terminal is located here as well as the nearby airport in Bayan Lepas, therefore it can be said that Sungai Nibong is a gateway to visitors coming to the island. As a matter of fact, this township’s close distance to the airport and industrial district Bayan Lepas have boosted its livelihood and driving the economy due to its residents having higher purchasing power and also the influx of visitors coming into the island every year.

How to Get There

By Plane

There are flights to Penang Island from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) which are provided by both Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. Upon touchdown, from the airport, guests can go to Sungai Nibong using public transportation or ride-sharing services.

By Car

People driving from Kuala Lumpur may drive via North-South Highway/E1 for immediate access to Sungai Nibong. The journey could take up to four hours depending on the current traffic situation.

Tourist Attractions

Queensbay Mall

Queensbay Mall is a fine shopping complex located at Persiaran Bayan Indah, sandwiched between the Penang Bridge and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. Being at a strategic seaside location facing Jerejak Island, it is only two kilometers away if visitors are coming from the Sungai Nibong bus station. It is open in 2006, covering up till 2.6 million square feet of gross built-up area with 400 shop lots over five floors with several international brands. As such, it is considered as the biggest of its kind in the island, competing directly against the Gurney Plaza shopping mall. In addition to being the shopping haven, it has several good eatery places as well as entertainment options for family and friends such as laser tags, karaoke joints and escape room challenges. Typically one can spend a whole day here, in which after all the fun and games, there are also shopping lots nearby the area offering spa and related relaxation services, as well as more dining options to the visitors.

Penang Hill

Located at the Air Itam suburb, Penang Hill is a hill resort covering a number of number of hills, with the highest one being Western Hill which is 833 meters high above sea level. Locally known as “Bukit Bendera”, which is literally translated to Flagstaff Hill, it is taken from the most developed peak with the same name. Founded way back in the 18th century it was used to be a retreat during the colonial period, but now has become a well-known tourist attraction. Accessible via the Penang Hill Railway at a cost of RM10 for adults and RM5 for students, another option to reach the top is to go hiking via the trekking trails which provides a fulfilling experience. Upon at the hilltop, one can go and enjoy the native flora and fauna, fresh air, awesome top-level city view, the Hill’s Love Lock and the delicacies at the food court.

Gurney Drive

Often called alternatively as The New Esplanade, Gurney Drive is definitely a popular seafront promenade of Penang Island. Being one of Penang’s tourist destinations with high traffic, a main feature being the street hawkers located alongside the seafront selling delicious street cuisines. The food being sold here is so good that The Traveller magazine had Gurney Drive listed in one of the 25 best street food destinations worldwide. In addition to that, it is also nicknamed as the second business district of the island due to the construction of high-rise buildings with many prominent pre-war colonial bungalows being converted to commercial purposes.