Hotels in Balik Pulau

Balik Pulau is a town in the southwestern part of Penang Island in Malaysia. The seat of the Southwest Penang Island District is also located within the town. The name Balik Pulau means "on the other side of the island".

The area is said to have been founded by one Lebai Tampai from Deli in northern Sumatra.Today Balik Pulau has the last patch of paddy fields in Penang Island, but probably not for long. The agricultural town of Balik Pulau was established in 1794 by the British East India Company.

To this day, the economy of Balik Pulau still relies heavily on agriculture, Penang's most famous products, including nutmegs, cloves and durians, are grown and harvested in the town.

How to Get There

By Plane

You can board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang International Airport to reach Balik Pulau. Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Air fly to Penang regularly. From airport you can get taxi to go to Balik Pulau where it takes 26 minutes’ drive away.

By Car

You can drive to Balik Pulau via the Penang bridge and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Penang is connected to the mainland and the North-South Expressway by the Penang Bridge. As traffic is usually congested in the morning and evening. The Penang Second Bridge or Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge connecting Batu Kawan and Batu Maung has been opened in 2014.

By Train

ETS train leave from KL Sentral Railway Station and arrive at Penang’s Butterworth Railway Station on the mainland and it just 15 minutes away by ferry to Georgetown on Penang Island. From Georgetown you can take bus or taxi where it takes approximately 13 minutes to reach Balik Pulau.

By Ferry

You can get to Balik Pulau from Butterworth by ferry, which caters for both passengers and vehicles.

Tourist Attractions

Balik Pulau's attractions are more to agricultural. The town is famous for some of Penang's most well-known products such as nutmegs, durians and cloves. In recent years, agricultural tourism is booming in Balik Pulau, as tourists from other states and abroad flock to the town to sample fresh durians and nutmegs. For instance, Balik Pulau's durian orchards, which produce a wide variety of durian cultivars, are best visited during the durian harvesting season between May and August each year. Balik Pulau's nutmeg farms and shops also offer samples of nutmeg fruits and products, including nutmeg juice.

Balik Pulau is traditionally popular among the people of Penang as where they will get the best fruits. This is where Penangites throng every durian season when the fruits are in abundance. Many swear that Balik Pulau durians are still the best anywhere in Malaysia.Balik Pulau also famous with Laksa where it is Different from typical laksa, Balik Pulau laksa is a rice noodle dish prepared in a savory, fish-based broth. For a different taste, try laksa lemak which is prepared with a sweet coconut cream. While Laksa Janggus is made from cashew nuts. There are a number of exciting things that you can do while stay here such as visit Tropical fruit farm, Belacan factory, Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory, Goat Farm Fishing village, Rice Paddies, Xuan Wu Chinese Temple, Anjung Indah, Pantai keracut and shopping at Balik Pulau Handcraft market.

You can visit Balik Pulau during fruit harvest in November, January and the peak durian harvest from May to July. Sunday is a special market day. Avoid monsoon season from April to November to avoid inconvenient holiday trip.

Hotels

Botanica Mansion

Botanica Mansion is 3-star budget hotel located near the airport and tourist attractions.This hotel features restaurant, outdoor pool and fitness centre. Free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking are also provided. Other amenities include a bar/lounge, express check-in, and express check-out. Balconies or patios and sofa beds are standard, as are flat-screen TVs with DVD players.

Hotel Equatorial Penang

Hotel Equatorial Penang is a 5-star luxury hotel features accommodation with free WiFi and a 50 m long outdoor swimming pool. Penang International Airport, the two Penang Bridges, and the bustling hub of Bayan Lepas are a short drive away. It is a 20-minute drive from the UNESCO certified heritage city of George Town via the expressway.The location is 9.2km away from Balik Pulau.The well-appointed rooms and suites are tastefully furnished, and offer facilities that range from minibar to internet protocol TV (IPTV) which provides free in-room movies on demand. All rooms have an individual balcony.