They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it wasn’t long before we had to bid adieu to the beautiful island of Pangkor and its sandy white beaches, turqoise waters, and amazing sunsets. But we weren’t too gloomy, as there was a lot to look forward to at our next destination: Penang!

Penang island is one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations, famed for its cultural diversity, street food, and in more recent years, its street art. The city is highly urbanized, but the rest of the island retains beautiful nature, with large swathes of protected forest reserves and pretty beaches. Penang also has a strong colonial influence, evident in its British-era buildings and shophouses as well as English street names.

Our drive from the Lumut Jetty took three hours, and as we turned onto the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Bridge, which connects the mainland to the island, we were welcomed by the sight of fluffy white clouds and clear blue skies over a sparkling sea. The bridge we drove on was also impressive: measuring 24km long with 16.9km of it built over water, it is the second longest bridge in Southeast Asia.

After the long drive, I wanted nothing more than to plop onto the hotel bed and relax – so there was a palpable sense of relief when we finally arrived at our accommodation along in George Town.

Opened just a few months ago, Hotel Mozokoyo is a boutique hotel strategically located on Jalan Argyle – just a stone’s throw away from most of the major attractions such as the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, and KOMTAR. Parts of the hotel are still undergoing renovation, but we were not bothered by a lot of noise during our stay.

Check in was smooth, and the staff members were helpful and friendly. They also have a small space for on-site parking, which is complimentary for hotel guests.

Stepping into the spacious room, I was immediately charmed by its minimalist, Scandinavian design. Wooden flooring and concrete walls with a rough finish allowed for the rest of the furniture to pop. The bed was supremely comfortable, with thick, firm pillows and a fluffy duvet.

Other thoughtful touches include bedside shelves and plugs, which I truly appreciated because it was easier to keep my electronic devices within arm’s reach while charging (you can tell the room is designed for the younger tech-obssessed crowd).

Another great thing they have is the widescreen LCD TV, which comes with Netflix. It was so cosy we ended up just chilling and watching Reincarnated As A Sword instead of maximizing our time exploring.

There are plenty of hooks to hang stuff from, plus a woven bag for laundry and space to keep your luggage. Other amenities include a teapot and cups for drinking, but no coffee and tea. Toiletries, towels, and bathroom slippers are provided.

The toilet was designed in a similarly minimalist vein, with clean white tiles and grey terrazzo flooring. No bath tub, but the shower area is spacious. For couples, the shower blinds can be pulled up *winkwink*.

Mirror had me obsessed as it had different lighting modes. Great for doing makeup or taking selfies.

Although they do not provide bottled drinking water, each floor comes with a water dispenser so you can refill your bottles. There is also a countertop space and a fridge in the common area, with containers labeled with your room number.

We stayed at Mokozoyo for three days and two nights, and aside from being clean and comfortable, it also made for the perfect base to explore George Town. We would pop out for a walk around the neighbourhood, return to chill and relax, then venture out again to continue exploring the vicinity, or grab snacks to munch over Netflix. Food options aplenty around the area, and there is also a laundromat just across the street.

So if you’re looking for a good boutique hotel while in Penang, consider Mokozoyo! Prices are fairly reasonable for the area, and plus points for guest parking, which is hard to find around George Town.

Our 3D2N stay was made through booking.com, priced at RM399.

HOTEL MOKOZOYO

61, Jalan Argyll, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Phone:+6 04-306 7601

Email: info@mokozoyo.com

Bookings available through booking.com or agoda.com.

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