ITS location in Gurney Drive makes G Hotel a convenient base from where guests can go anywhere on Penang island.

Its very name, G, is inspired by Gurney Drive, where one has the advantages of being close to the sea and all the shopping and dining facilities nearby.

The first thing that strikes you about the hotel is its chic, stylish decor with the clever use of lighting and furniture. It encapsulates contemporary simplicity with minimalist-style furniture and monochromatic colours.

The lobby and rooms are awashed in subtle lighting accented with a collection of modern pictures and designer furniture, including the world-renowned Felt Chair by Capellini and Kartell's famous Spoon Chair, all of which make great conversational pieces.

Next to the lobby is the G Lounge, also the longest hotel bar in Penang at 15m in length, with stunning lighting effects and a constant stream of modern yet soothing new-age music.

Owned and operated by G Hotel Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Etika Cekap Sdn Bhd, the developer of the highly successful Gurney Plaza Shopping Mall and Gurney Park Condominiums, it is the result of its owners wanting to move in tandem with the emerging global trend of "cool hotels".

Hotel general manager Marco Giovanni Battistotti, who is also chairman of the Penang Chapter of Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH), said there is a global trend now for travellers to want to experience something different and authentic.

The 304 rooms are very spacious and come complete with more than the basic amenities. These include a full sized refrigerator, iPod docking stations and full flat screen television sets complete with cable network services.

The free, high speed Internet access makes the hotel a popular choice with business travellers. Just a stone's throw away are major financial institutions and the commercial centre in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (Northam Road) and Burmah Road.

HOTEL:
G Hotel. 168A Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang. Tel: 04-238 0000 Fax: 04-238 0126. Email: info@ghotel.com.my, Website: www.ghotel.com.my

GETTING THERE:
To get to Penang Island by road, cross the Penang Bridge (toll charge RM7.70 return) or take the ferry at Butterworth's Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (RM7.70). Many tourists who drive prefer the latter as they can enjoy a scenic cruise across the narrow channel. To get to G Hotel, just follow the street signs to Gurney Drive. It's a 30-minute drive from the Penang International Airport, 10 minutes from the ferry terminal and 20 minutes from bridge.

MAIN ATTRACTION:
Strategic location in Gurney Drive.

FIRST IMPRESSION:
Modern, chic decor with a cool, relaxing atmosphere and friendly service.

RATING:
Five-star

ROOMS:
From 38 sq m, rooms are larger than most average 5-star hotel rooms in Penang. It offers 12 different types of well-furnished, fully carpeted guest accommodations. In addition to basic amenities, there are a full sized refrigerator, iPod docking stations and full flat screen television sets with cable network services.

RATES:
RM270++ (Standard), RM295++ (Superior), RM320++ (Deluxe), RM390++ (Executive Standard), RM410++ (Executive Superior and Executive Deluxe), RM588++ (Executive Suite), RM1,588++ (Honeymoon Suite and G Suite), RM1,188++ (Duplex), RM 550++ (1-bedroom Service Apartment) and RM850++ (2-bedroom Service Apartment). Rates include breakfast.
Guests on the executive floors have access to facilities at the Executive Lounge. Please contact the hotel for the latest room promotion.

OVERALL SERVICE:
Warm and friendly

F&B OUTLETS:
All-day dining coffee house G Cafe serves local dishes, hawker fare, western and international buffet. On Fridays, BBQ Seafood dinner is offered. For alcoholic drinks and a variety of hot beverages, G Lounge is open from 10am to 1am.
Pan Asian Chinese restaurant Sesame & Soy is open for lunch and dinner. Popular dishes to try are crispy prawns with wasabi mayo and cashew nuts (RM22) and chef's special roast duck in a tangy mango-citrus sauce (RM25). To unwind in the evenings, head for G Spot, Jazz Bar and Lounge to enjoy live performances while sipping your favourite martini, cocktail or wine.

FACILITIES:
For meeting and banquet arrangements, there are 11 venues to suit different nature and size requirements. The Star Grand Ballroom seats 500 guests while smaller groups may opt for the Salon Class rooms. The gymnasium offers health buffs views of the sea. Located on Level 3, it is open from 6am to 10pm. Then there's Danai Spa for massages, Ayurvedic treatments and scrubs.

PLACES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE:
Gurney Plaza Shopping Mall and Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. Visit the Reclining Buddha temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram) in Burmah Road. If you're going there in the mornings, drop by at the Pulau Tikus market for delicious Penang food. Gurney Drive, a popular seafront strip, is located right in front of the hotel.