Average hotel rooms fine

Restaurants a little lacking just come out of hotel cross the road and go to the southern India restaurant opposite

Sea is quite dirty so I wouldn't go swimming if I was you

Hotel has a pool that looked fine

December 29,2011 and we return to our home away from home..Paradise Sandy Beach resort ..whivh as of February 9, 2012 will have a name change and from that date will be known as the Rainbow Paradise Beach Hotel...nothing else about this great place changes ...still all the friendly faces to greet you.
Many of the rooms have now been fitted out with LCD televisions..latest models and the room we had this trip on the 22nd floor had a complete make over
This was our 20th trip in as many years..and things ever changing ...whether this is good or not is up to the individual ..for us it is a bit sad that many of the old buildings are being replaced by new ones and occupied by more up market eateries ..especially in Batu Ferringhi
However many remain ..like Happy Garden ..Living Room ...Boatman ..and Long Beach Hawkers Centre
Back to our hotel ..as mentioned lot of refurbishing done since we last there...see pics
whilst not located on the tourist strip of Batu ferringhi the hotel is well located with the Rapid Penang Bus stopping right outside the hotel and the advantage here that as compared to Batu Ferringhi you have three buses at your door step the 101..102...103 ..all heading in different directions ..down Batu Ferringhi you have just the 101
The hotel now runs a free shuttle bus into Georgetown at least twice a day and at 7pm a free shuttle to Batu Ferringhi.. the trip to Batu ferringhi ...maybe 10 minutes at tops and the return trip after eating and walking the night markets ..catch the 101 bus back to the hotel or a taxi for RM15.00
The buffet Breakfast is very good and wide range of western and local dishes ..one thing I enjoy about breakfast there is the freshly cooked eggs ..done in any style you want..fried sunny side up or over easy ...scrambled ..and their freshly cooked omlettes..yummy
Sweeping beach and water views from your balcony is a great way in the late afternoon sit sit back ..relax with a cold drink and depending on which side of the hotel you are ..watch the sun sink behind the hills
New marina now at Strait Quays ..just a short bus ride away with a huge Tesco store...super market not as good as Clod Storage at Gurney Plaza but still woth the visit
Well back home again and already planning our next trip back for Christmas and New Year ..
with one thing foor sure again on our list ...cruising with Blue Whale Cruises ..see seperate report
If staying 7 days or more it is worth buying the Rapid Penang Bus Pass for RM30.00 which will allow you to travel the entire system as often as you like and you are able to venture just about anywhere with Rapid Penang saving a lot on taxis

This hotel is located at a strategic location where there is a nice beach with outdoor activities. Restaurants are located close by. Room is very spacious and quite clean, but beware if you are allergic to dust. The hot water was not working, but maintenance arrived very quickly when we called. Food in the hotel is not too great, but there are restaurants within walking distance to the hotel.

This hotel has a nice pool too.

We were here in August for a week.
First very nice thing was upgrading our room for no extra money :))
so we get very big suite, with very nice ocean view.
Second great thing about this hotel is it`s surroundings - right at the front of the hotel, on the other side of the road is a great indian restaurant - food is so cheap and so delicious, and stuff is so nice (try theirs Teh Tarik( milk tea), i swear this is the best drink ever!), and if you will cross the street, and go to the left of this restaurant you will soon (about 5-10 min calm walk) get to another great japanese restaurant (try theirs Watermelon juice!).
Can`t say anything about food in Sandy Beach, because we never have a dinner or a breakfast here. So, if you need, there is also a little supermarket right near the indian restaurant.
Now, enough about food!
Rooms in Sandy beach are very large, and clean. If you want you can read fresh newspapers, which are delivered to your room on sundays.
Sea is ok for malaysia, because Andaman sea is not like an indian ocean, it is more warm and more "grey". Also i don`t like to swim in a water, when i don`t clearly see what is under my feet, so i chose the swimming pool.
Also, there is a great doctor in the hotel :) very nice and fun! But i don`t wish you to get to know him, because it will probably mean that smth happened to you :)
Also, if you will rent a bike, there is a free parking.
There was only one problem - two times our faucet in the shower has been broken. We called a mechanic, and he fixed it :)
can`t say anything about excursions, because we didn`t buy any,
Also near the hotel is the bus stop, from what you can get to George Town.
Definetely will come back to Sandy Beach.
Btw, Penang is a great place to visit.
Hope you enjoyed my review:)