Juniper
Say Hi (Check-In Counter)
lyf Georgetown Penang opened its doors in late 2024. As soon as you step into the lobby, you know this is not your conventional type of hotel which interiors can look stark and cold. lyf’s theme colour is orange and this is predominant all over the hotel, on every one of its 5 floors. It has a warm, cheerful ambiance and sets the right mood for some much-needed rest & relaxation. It’s the ideal hotel for chillaxing. Conveniently located along Penang Road, f & b outlets are a mere stone’s throw away.
It’s described on their website as a “social lifestyle hotel in Georgetown Penang that is ideal for experience-led social living offering a range of fun, spacious, and functional rooms ideal for independent creatives and next-generation travellers”. Guests can choose from a range of Good for One (Studio), One of a Kind (Studio), Side by Side Plus (Studio Twin), Two of a Kind (2-Bedroom) and All Together (3-Bedroom) style of rooms.
Amenities include Bond (social kitchen), Burn (social gymnasium), Connect (coworking/event space), Collab (meeting room), cool off at Dip (swimming pool), Say Hi (check-in counter), Unwind (lounge) and Wash & Hang (social launderette). ASR (Ascott Star Rewards) members can enjoy perks such as a chance to spin the lucky draw machine and win prizes such as a room upgrade or free use of the washing machine.
My room was One of a Kind which is 19 sqm/205 sqf. It has a queen-size bed and although it has a smallish en-suite bathroom (the sink could have had more space for toiletries), it doesn’t lack in amenities.
The wall behind my bed has a colourful (mainly orange) mural which gives positive energy and sets the mood for an enjoyable stay in Penang. There are 3 plug points, 2 at the worktable and 1 by the bed which is exactly what I need. I often lament that the hotels I stay in don’t have a plug point by the bed because when I wake up, the 1st thing I do is charge my phone. To my delight and surprise, lyf has thoughtfully placed a plug point next to the bed.
There wasn’t a wardrobe in my room but there was a hanging shelf and 3 clothes hangers. Toiletries in the bathroom are refillable bottles. As this is a relatively new hotel, the air-con here is quite powerful as I could even feel the cold in the bathroom. Of course, I quickly turned up the temperature.
As part of Ascott Group, lyf practices sustainability by not providing plastic water bottles in rooms. On every floor where there are guest rooms, there’s a sink with a 3M filtration system tap. Just bring your kettle or glass water jug in your room to the sink and fill up from the tap. I’ve stayed at lyf Chinatown KL and it’s the same although it was a longer walk to the sink from my room here.
Staying in a lyf hotel is fun, in part due to its funky vibes and it’s a great place to stay if you like mingling and socialising with other guests. Indeed, I got the chance to chat with a couple from The Netherlands over breakfast. Guests collect a takeaway breakfast box every morning which can be heated up in BOND (Social Kitchen) before you take it to COLLAB (Meeting Room) where you may meet fellow guests. There’s coffee/tea in this room but you may also takeaway breakfast to your room.
The breakfast set changes daily and is from Ascott Penang. The next day, my breakfast was a Western set that consisted of a mini croissant, mini sausages, scrambled eggs, mini hash browns and baked beans.
Time to explore lyf – WASH & HANG (LAUNDERETTE) is on Level 1
I had 2 days of laundry and I’d won a token from the ASR lucky prize machine. I only had to pay RM10 for the dryer. The laundry cycle takes 38 minutes (you can choose cold or warm water) while the dryer takes 40 minutes (you can choose low, medium or high heat). Detergent is auto dispensed once the wash cycle starts.
lyf’s coworking and event space is designed to inspire creativity and productivity, with everything you need to achieve your goals. The space can transform to host live shows, product launches are more.
UNWIND is lyf’s other event space. This is where music and movie events, exercise classes, market fairs are held.
This is the trendiest swimming pool I have ever seen.
BURN is located on Level 2 right next to the pool.
Funny thing happened to me on Day 2 although didn’t seem funny then. I went back to my room in the evening and found my room had not been tidied up. Didn’t think to ask reception if they did housekeeping every day. Until Day 3 when I was hours from checking out. I informed reception that my room hadn’t been tidied the day before and they asked me if I had put on the “Do not disturb” sign. I was thinking of the old school “Do not disturb” sign which hangs on the door handle. No, that wasn’t how it’s done at lyf as it’s on the digital panel outside my room and the “Do not disturb” sign had been inadvertently and accidentally activated when I switched off the lights. I didn’t even realise I had activated “Do not disturb” on the digital panel as I thought it was a light switch! From afar, it does look like just any other light switch as the housekeeping icons are not that visible unless you go close and look at it carefully.
That aside, it was a great stay as all the staff are friendly, helpful and approachable. I had brief chats with practically all who were on duty at reception. They are patient, kind and show a warmth towards guests which is genuine and sincere. They are the heart and soul of the hotel and they are the ones who made the difference between a forgettable and memorable stay, At lyf Georgetown Penang, the staff are all-round lovely people who gave great vibes. They deserve 5 out of 5 stars for outstanding attitudes and service.
