Escape to Batu Kawan's Design Village: Penang's Hidden Gem!

Batu Kawan(Comfort)Near Design Village Penang Malaysia

Escape to Batu Kawan's Design Village: Penang's Hidden Gem!

Escape to Batu Kawan's Design Village: Penang's Hidden Gem (…Kinda) - A Rambling Review

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from Design Village in Batu Kawan, Penang, and let me tell you, it's an experience. My expectations were… well, let's just say I went in with a healthy dose of skepticism and emerged… slightly less skeptical? More on that in a sec. This isn’t a polished, PR-approved review, by the way. This is me, raw and unfiltered, spilling the tea (or maybe the teh tarik) about my time there.

First Impressions (and My Immediate Hang-Ups):

The drive in was smooth. Accessibility wise, the car park [free of charge] was a HUGE win. And the car park [on-site] options gave me options, which is always appreciated. But parking, while plentiful, felt… a bit desolate. Like, have I parked in a post-apocalyptic mall? Then again, I’m always one for avoiding the throngs. My actual check-in was a breeze, thanks to the Contactless check-in/out and the 24-hour] front desk which gave me a bit of peace of mind knowing someone was there.

Oh, the Rooms! (…And My Slightly-Less-Organized-Than-Expected Room):

Okay, let's talk rooms. They’re pretty standard fare for this type of place. They had almost all the Available in all rooms amenities: Air conditioning, check. Alarm clock, check. Bathrobes? Yes! (Love a good robe moment). Bathroom phone? Okay, slightly archaic, but hey, I hadn’t seen one of those in, well, forever. Blackout curtains - lifesavers, especially after a long day of shopping, or pretending to shop. Closet - essential for hiding all the new stuff you’ve bought. Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea - vital for my caffeine addiction. Daily housekeeping - a godsend. They even had Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless and Ironing facilities etc. I'm a sucker for a nice space to work on my laptop, and finding a Laptop workspace was pretty thrilling.

However… the cleanliness wasn’t quite up to the level I hoped for the initial impression. Not filthy by any means, but I could tell it hadn’t been deep-cleaned in a minute. There was also a tiny, tiny stain on the carpet; not a dealbreaker by any means, but it put a small damper on my otherwise very very happy experience. I'm guessing it's the trade-off for the amazing price. The Non-smoking room, I'm happy to report, actually felt non-smoking, which is a win! (I will be honest and say I did not check if they had the following amenities)

Interconnecting room(s) available
Linens
Mini bar
Mirror
On-demand movies
Private bathroom
Reading light
Refrigerator
Scale
Seating area
Separate shower/bathtub
Shower
Slippers
Smoke detector
Socket near the bed
Sofa
Soundproofing
Telephone
Toiletries
Towels
Umbrella
Visual alarm
Wake-up service
Wi-Fi [free]
Window that opens
Additional toilet

Food, Glorious Food! (…And a Mild Disappointment):

Okay, let’s dive into the grub situation, because honestly, that's always the make-or-break for me. There's a Asian breakfast on offer, with Asian cuisine in restaurant. There's also some International cuisine in restaurant. If you're like me, you will love that there's the option of a Breakfast [buffet]. While not as big as some buffets I've seen, it certainly had great variety to satisfy my needs. The coffee was decent. It also offers restaurants and a Coffee shop. In regards to some less-conventional dining, there is Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, the possibility of Room service [24-hour], a Snack bar, and Vegetarian restaurant.

However, I was slightly let down that there wasn't a poolside bar.

Things to Do (…Or, The "Retail Therapy" Situation):

So, this is where Design Village really shines: the shopping. Duh! It's an outlet mall, people! I’m not really a big shopper, but my partner is, and they were in heaven. Big brands, good discounts. I was happy to enjoy some Massage and Sauna. If people need it, there is also Steamroom, Spa, Spa/sauna, Pool with view, and Swimming pool.

Cleanliness and Safety (…The Pandemic Edition):

Alright, let's get real about the current climate. Design Village seemed to be taking things seriously. There’s a ton of safety protocols implemented. The Professional-grade sanitizing services did a thorough job of keeping me feeling safe. I have to say, the Staff trained in safety protocol, and the Hand sanitizer placement was on point. The Cashless payment service also helped. They’ve got Daily disinfection in common areas, and plenty of Hand sanitizer, and I saw the Sterilizing equipment in action. There's also the Anti-viral cleaning products where they can be made in use of.

Services and Conveniences (…The "But Wait, There's More!" Department):

They have a good range of Services and conveniences. The 24-hour] front desk was a lifesaver more than once. They also have Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, and Currency exchange. The Elevator (thank goodness!). If you need them, there’s also Dry cleaning, Ironing service, and Laundry service. If you need extra space for your things, you may use Luggage storage.

For the Kids (…Or, "Are We There Yet?" The Sequel):

I don't have kids, BUT. I spotted some Kids facilities, and I have to say, the play area looked pretty decent. They also offer Babysitting service which made my stay easier.

Getting Around:

Their Car park [free of charge] was quite convenient. However, the Taxi service was not the best. I prefer if they have more options, just in case.

The Verdict (…And My Slightly-More-Hopeful Heart):

So, is Design Village a "hidden gem"? Honestly… it's a bit of a mixed bag. It's not perfect, and it has its quirks (like that slightly dubious carpet stain). BUT? The food was good for the price, and the amenities, while not always top-tier, were solid. The shopping is fantastic. I think you could do a lot worse for a quick getaway.

Bandung's BEST Studio near BIP? Tamansari La Grande Gem! (Travelio)

Book Now

Batu Kawan(Comfort)Near Design Village Penang Malaysia

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Batu Kawan adventure that's less "perfectly curated Instagram feed" and more "chaotic, delightful mess of a human". We're talkin' Design Village Penang adjacent, people. Prepare yourselves.

Batu Kawan Bonanza: A Totally Realistic Itinerary (With Occasional Meltdowns)

Day 1: Arrival and the Great Mall Exploration (And Possibly, Regret)

1:00 PM: Arrival, the Great Airport Escape: Land at Penang International Airport. I swear, the jet bridge felt ten miles long. (Curse you, tiny plane!) Grab a Grab car. Pray to the transportation gods it's not a death trap disguised as a sedan. Okay, okay, so far, so good. Driver seems sane. Small victory.
2:00 PM: Check-in Chaos & Room Appraisal: Arrive at my (slightly-too-budget) hotel in Batu Kawan. The lobby smells faintly of disinfectant and…hope? The room…well, let's just say the photos online were generous. The aircon's blasting like a hurricane. Time to adjust to this new reality.
3:00 PM: Design Village Penang – The Shopping Abyss Begins: Right, time to dive head-first into the gaping maw of retail therapy that is Design Village. Feeling optimistic! I'm thinking a new travel pillow and definitely some snacks. (Food = happiness, right?) First impressions? Wow, it's big. Really big. I feel like an ant.
4:00 PM: The H&M Hangover, Zara Woe: Okay, so H&M was a bust. Same stuff I see back home. Zara, though… Zara did me dirty. I found this amazing dress, and of course, it was the wrong size. Cue mini-meltdown in the dressing room. I'm not sure whether to cry or just buy the damn thing and try to sew it myself in the hotel room.
5:00 PM: Food Court Fury and Strategic Eating: The food court! This is where the real action is. So many choices! I opt for… laksa! OMG, heaven in a bowl. Spicy, creamy, and utterly delicious. I nearly choked on it from pure joy. Okay, so the plastic chopsticks are a bit flimsy, and the table is sticky, but who cares? Laksa cures all. This is possibly the best decision anyone has ever made.
6:00 PM: The "I Need A Break" Bench Sit: The sheer volume of shops is starting to get to me. I find a bench. I watch people. A couple's arguing over a handbag. An elderly lady is trying to navigate a pushy sales assistant. A kid is having a tantrum. It's beautiful, in a chaotic kind of way. This is life.
7:00 PM: "One Last Look" and Sudden Impulse Purchase: "Just one more shop…" I tell myself. And I do find something I hadn't thought I needed… A phone case with a picture of a cat wearing a tiny hat. Instant buy. Regret incoming? Possibly. But the cat hat is just so… I don’t know.
8:00 PM: Dinner Debacle and Early Night: Dinner's planned -- another food court adventure (naturally) and maybe a movie in the hotel room. Unfortunately, by now I can barely stand, from trying clothing on and the sheer shopping stamina one needs. The movie turns into a blur of half-watched trailers. Sleep calls.
9:00 PM: Retreat to hotel. Sleep. (Or try to.)

Day 2: Cultural Immersion (And More Food, Obviously)

9:00 AM: Sleep In! After the previous day, I deserve it.
10:00 AM: Seeking the Local Market (Possibly Lost) The local market is what I'm aiming for today. The promise of genuine, non-chain food. Let’s see if I can find it…
11:00 AM: The Hawker Centre Hysteria Begins: Okay, finally found some hawker stalls! The smells alone are enough to make you swoon. I order a plate of… whatever looks good! (Spoiler alert: everything looks good). Street food is the best food, period.
12:00 PM: Exploring Batu Kawan itself: Okay, so I'm realizing Batu Kawan itself isn't exactly overflowing with attractions. Which is kind of the point! I wander around. Admire the slightly rundown but charming architecture.
2:00 PM: Back to Design Village (Against My Better Judgement): Yeah, yeah, I know. I vowed to stay away. But…the siren song of the sale racks is calling. This time, I'm on a mission: to get a decent t-shirt. Wish me luck, I could be back in hours.
3:00 PM (or later): The T-Shirt Triumph (or Tragedy): I found the t-shirt. A simple, unassuming cotton tee. It's perfect. Score!
5:00 PM: Back to Hawkers. Again: Seriously, why bother with other restaurants when you can have cheap, delicious street food? This time, I'm hunting down char kway teow. Let the carb-loading commence!
7:00 PM: The Sunset Stroll and Existential Angst: Okay, I found a little water area. The sun is setting. It's pretty. I have a moment of profound introspection. Am I a tourist? What does it all mean? What will I eat tomorrow? Okay, maybe not that profound, but it's still a nice view.
8:00 PM: Dinner - Second Round, No Regrets: You know the drill. Hawker stalls. I experiment, and try something I've never heard of. Delicious!
9:00 PM: Sleep!

Day 3: Departure and Last-Minute Panic

9:00 AM: Breakfast and Pack: Coffee, toast, try to consolidate all the stuff I bought. The cat in a hat phone case is a star.
10:00 AM: Design Village - Farewell Tour: One last stroll through Design Village, just to make sure I haven't missed anything. I probably have.
11:00 AM: Last Laksa Run. I need One. Last. Laksa: A final, desperate quest for the perfect laksa. It's the send-off I need.
12:00 PM: Check-out and Grab Car Drama: The check-out part has gone smoothly. Time for the airport.
1:00 PM: Airport Shuffle and Farewell, Batu Kawan: I arrived at Penang International Airport with a bag full of memories, a slight food coma, and a phone case that's already brought me so much joy. As I wait for my flight, I already feel a longing for the chaos and the hawker stalls.

The Verdict:

Batu Kawan, Design Village, and the surrounding areas are not perfect. It’s messy. It’s hot. It’s occasionally overwhelming. But it's authentic. It's a reminder that travel isn't about perfection; it's about experiences, the food, and the little moments of delicious chaos. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, maybe next time I'll try to pack smaller (and resist the siren song of Zara). Until then, Batu Kawan, you absolute delight!

Oakdale's Hidden Gem: Best Western Oakdale Inn (LA) Review & Deals!

Book Now

Batu Kawan(Comfort)Near Design Village Penang MalaysiaOkay, buckle up, because "Escape to Batu Kawan's Design Village" isn't just a shopping trip; it's an *experience*. And I'm about to give you the unvarnished truth, FAQ-style. Get ready for some opinions, some rambling, and probably a few typos. You've been warned. ```html

So, is Design Village really a "hidden gem" or is that just marketing fluff?

Okay, let's be real. Hidden gem? Depends. If you're used to the monstrous malls in Penang, then yeah, it *feels* hidden, tucked away in Batu Kawan. But, "gem"? Again, depends on your definition. I went with expectations of a serene oasis of bargain hunting. Reality? A sunny afternoon of almost-but-not-quite-what-I-wanted shopping. Don't expect a diamond; more like a sparkly cubic zirconia. Still, definitely worth the trip if you're on the hunt for specific brands or just need a change of scene. Just don't go expecting to be *blown away*.

Getting there... What's the actual deal? Taxi? Grab? Renting a car?

Alright, this is where things get interesting. I tried *everything*. Taxi? Forget it. Good luck convincing them to go that far. Public transport? Theoretically possible, but the journey felt like a quest. Then I tried Grab. Success! But the surge pricing was... ouch. Coming back was even worse. My driver, bless his soul, got lost *within the parking lot*. He and I were circling for what felt like an eternity. Seriously, rent a car. It's the easiest, especially if you plan on buying anything, because carrying bags on Grab is a nightmare. Also, parking is plentiful, which is a major win after battling malls!

What brands are actually worth the trip? Don't hold back.

Okay, this is where I get opinionated. Adidas and Nike, ALWAYS. The deals are generally pretty decent. I scored a pair of running shoes for almost half price. *Almost*. The catch? The sizes were sparse. So, arrive early, be prepared to sift through the racks, and hope you have feet in the "popular" range. Other good ones? Brands like Carlo Rino, and some local Malaysian brands. They rotate often. But the real trick? Patience. Don't expect a miracle. Look for those little gems of sales.

Is there anything to eat or drink besides some fast-food joints?

Right. Food. Okay, yes, there are your typical fast-food options. Burger King, KFC, that sort of thing. But, and this is a big but, there's a nice little cafe or two that are actually pretty good! But, it felt pretty underwhelming, honestly. Like, they were *fine*. Nothing to write home about, except that the air-con was great when I was in there. The coffee was okay. The pastries were... edible. Nothing that's going to elevate your entire Design Village experience, but enough to recharge your batteries and maybe prevent you from getting a shopping rage. Pack snacks. Seriously. I swear, I was halfway through the afternoon and I was already getting hangry.

Okay, so what about the vibe? Is it crowded? Is it relaxing? What is it really like?

Ah, the vibe. This is a tough one. It's… mixed. During the week? Probably chill. Weekends? Brace yourself. It's not *insanely* crowded like Gurney Paragon on a public holiday, but it's enough to make you wish you'd brought a body shield. I went on a Saturday, and there were definitely moments when I felt claustrophobic. Especially in the Nike store. The outdoor areas are nice, though, but remember the sun, okay?

I heard there's a playground. For the kids? What's it like?

Yes! There is a playground (or at least, there was when I went). It's actually pretty decent. It's a good distraction if you have kids in tow, which is a lifesaver. A screaming child in the middle of a shopping spree is never fun. But it's outdoors, so bring the sunscreen. And insect repellent. Because nothing ruins a good afternoon like being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Seriously.

So, you're saying I shouldn't get my hopes up?

Look, don't go expecting Harrods. But also, don't write it off entirely! I actually got *some* stuff I liked. I found a pair of jeans. And a shirt. The deals sometimes make it worth it. Just manage your expectations and be ready for a bit of a trek. Think of it as a shopping adventure rather than a destination. Plus, let's be honest, sometimes it's nice to escape the chaos of Georgetown, isn't it? Yes, the driving there and the driving back wasn't ideal... but overall worth it if you're looking for a few brands with a good sale and some sun!

Any absolute deal-breakers? Anything to watch out for?

Okay, watch out: The parking. Seriously. The parking lot seemed humongous, but on the Saturday I went, it was packed during the afternoon, and there were lines getting out. Also, the toilets. Make sure you know where the nearest clean one is. I remember one spot where the queue was so long, I almost gave up and went searching behind a bush... (kidding!). The other thing? The lack of shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and an attitude prepared to battle the sun.

Do they have any events or special sales?

Yes! They do. Check the Design Village website or social media *before* you go. Sometimes, they have weekend markets or special promotions that could make your trip even more worthwhile. I completely forgot to check, and I felt like I missed out on a bunch of things. Doh! Check. Check. Check! I swear!

Okay, you mentioned the parking… Elaborate. Spill the tea.

Alright, let's dedicate a whole section to the parking. It's… a journey. The parking lot *looks* huge. It *is* huge. But it's also, well, it's not optimally designed. It's a labyrinth. You might think you've found a spot, only to realize you're on the literal edge of the world, and the nearestTaguig Getaway: Luxurious BGC Short Stay - Unbeatable Price!