Special thanks to The Wembley for extending this hotel review invitation.
The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel Penang is a 4-star hotel at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), George Town. Formerly known as St Giles Wembley, The Wembley is the sister property of Cititel Penang and Cititel Express. The latter shares the building with The Wembley.
Stepping into the lobby, The Wembley welcomes new arrivals by flaunting its majestic grandeur. Glossy marble covers the lobby’s walls and floor, while fancy chandeliers cast a golden light on the hall. While waiting to be checked in, hotel guests can help themselves to complimentary refreshments.
The Wembley has 415 guestrooms in total. There are several room types to tailor the needs of each guest. My room, the Executive Superior, has an ensuite bathroom. Room amenities include flat panel television, high-speed Internet connection, minibar (drinks are replenished daily for Executive Superior), electronic safe, clothes iron, electric hair dryer and a range of toiletries.
Other room types are Superior, Deluxe, Executive Deluxe and Suite. The Suite is ideal for business travelers as it provides a separate living area from the bedroom. Some rooms are large enough to have bathtubs and to allow extra beds.
As for recreation, The Wembley has a swimming pool at Level 11. Water flows over the far end to produce an optical illusion. Next to the infinity pool is a shallow wading pool. Since there are no lifeguards on duty, parents must keep their children supervised at all times.
Level 11 is also where the fitness center is located. Open from 6:00am to 11:00pm, the gym is equipped with treadmills, stationary bicycles and weight machines. Clean towels and drinking water are provided. Changing rooms are also conveniently nearby.
The hotel’s 24-hour restaurant, Wembley Cafe, is located at Level 2. The dining area features several ornate chandeliers. The à la carte menu covers local delights and international dishes. Wembley Cafe also serves buffet lunch and dinner on several days of the week.
Breakfast is served at Wembley Cafe from 6:30am to 10:30am. To cater for guests who require caffeine to start the day, the restaurant provides espresso-based coffee with the push of a button. In addition, local coffee and Ceylon tea are available too.
The egg station is where egg dishes like poached eggs, scrambled eggs and omelettes are prepared. The queue may be long during peak hours, so if you wish to avoid the crowd, it is advisable to have breakfast before 8:00am.
As for cold cuts, I am delighted to enjoy succulent slices of turkey ham. Other comfort foods include breakfast cereals, chicken sausages, baked beans, hash browns and French toast.
The noodle station serves a different noodle dish every day. For instance, Sarawak Laksa is the choice today.
Another popular breakfast dish is fish porridge. Guests can choose from a variety of ingredients such as salted eggs, pickled mustard and braised peanuts.
Dim sum is well received by most people. There are several types of siew mai and baozi in the steamer baskets.
Guests who prefer Western cuisine can go for spaghetti bolognese. Al dente pasta also is served with chicken and cherry tomatoes.
The dietary needs of vegetarians are taken into consideration too. For instance, there are vegetarian fried mee, wok-fried vegetables and grilled tomatoes with oregano.
The pastry section has sliced bread and bread spreads like peanut butter, fruit marmalade and maple syrup. A conveyor toaster is provided. Also fresh from the oven are croissants and Danishes of various flavors.
Like Wembley Cafe, the Lobby Lounge is directly managed by the hotel. Comfortable chairs and couches allow guests to relax and mingle with others. There is a small room on the side should guests need some privacy.
The Lobby Lounge serves cakes and a variety of drinks. As for alcoholic beverages, Long Island Tea is a popular cocktail concocted from gin, rum, vodka, tequila, triple sec and cola.
Perched on Level 30, the Executive Lounge is exclusively for guests in Executive Rooms and Suites. This private area allows privileged guests to relax and enjoy the scenery from high above. Open from 6:30am to 11:00pm, the Executive Lounge provides cookies, fruits and drinks throughout the day.
Privileged guests can opt to have breakfast at the Executive Lounge for a more secluded setting. The food choices here are somewhat limited, though. In addition, the Executive Lounge serves evening cocktail from 5:30pm to 7:30pm every day.
Lamb bergedel is prepared this evening. This Indonesian dish is made of minced lamb and potatoes. I enjoy the mouthwatering taste of these fried patties.
Other finger foods are tandoori chicken sandwiches, Vietnamese spring rolls and tuna loin croissants.
Sushi, salads and gourmet cheeses are also served this evening.
While watching the sunset from high above, it is gratifying to have a glass of wine in hand. Other complimentary beverages are beer, fruit juices, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks.
An escalator from Level 30 leads to the DSRT Sky Room. Also called D’ Shining Roof Top, the rooftop bar provides panoramic views of George Town. DSRT Sky Room is operated by a third party. Other tenants within The Wembley’s premises include Enoshima Japanese Restaurant, Cloud 9 KTV and HH Health Therapy.
The Wembley’s check-in time and check-out time are 2:00pm and 12:00pm respectively. The hotel benefits from close proximity to shopping malls like KOMTAR, 1st Avenue and Prangin Mall. All in all, The Wembley combines modern comfort while staying in touch with George Town’s heritage charm.
Would-be guests are encouraged to book through the hotel’s website in order to enjoy the best rates. Here is an inside scoop: Enter promotion code “BESTRATESTGILES” to get 25% discount right off the bat!
Long stay guests should also take advantage of the “Be Wembley” Recognition Programme. The loyalty program grants special perks to guests who stay for at least 10 nights!
Name: The Wembley
Address: 183, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-259-8000
Business hours: 24 hours
Website: https://www.stgileshotels.com/hotels/malaysia/penang/stgiles-wembley
Coordinates: 5.41318 N, 100.33009 E
Directions: The Wembley is located at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), just opposite of Hotel Jen and 1st Avenue Mall. Wembley Cafe is located at Level 2 of the hotel. There is a multilevel parking garage at the hotel. In-house guests can get their parking tickets validated for free.