82982 4 Location 482455 <p>The Copthorne Orchid Penang, We have stayed there for many years, did it need to improve… certainly yes </p><p>Has it improved……A BIG YES. So what has happened. With the changes listed below the staff are now more enthusiastic and the service has improved. There are many of the same faces that help to give you that “returned to a family” feeling. They smiled and respected us as guests, they cared about our needs and they listened to our suggestions.</p><p>The foyer has been enlivened and a tour and transport manager is on board, even includes a business centre with internet. And again….the staff now smile and actually help. Not to say they didn’t before but now they mean it.</p><p>Outside has been cleaned up, clean deck chairs everywhere [with sun umbrellas] and an attentive pool attendant to help watch over the kids The pool has been rebuilt, cleaned each day and it is being maintained and, oh yeah, free wifi internet, we could catch up on the world while we relaxed.</p><p>The rooms....upgraded and still being upgraded which is great, ours felt new and that’s what we wanted. Trusted cleaners keep them clean, the views are all great and we enjoyed our deck for private relaxing or....... a stroll down to the private beach, it’s now cleaner and peaceful now that the work next door is finished and guess what..... that’s proving to be a blessing, landscaping and security has improved the front street dramatically and the back is clean and safe.</p><p>Breakfast has improved with a greater choice, Asian or European and we always took advantage of the egg Chef for our own specialty omelettes.</p><p>So why do we keep going back…… The staff…. yes, they really do try their hardest and especially now with their bigger smiles and their friendliness, not like some places nearby.</p><p>The location….. yes a great location that puts us closer to the major shopping centres especially with the free transport provided and yet only a short distance to the hustle and bustle of the famous Batu Ferrengi night markets again with a free shuttle bus. Across the road there is an ethnic food court with excellent local cuisines as well as established restaurants that cater to European and Asian tastes. There is also a chemist, bakery, health food and general stores with alcohol if you so desire and the streets are safe if you want to have a stroll after a great meal.</p><p>At night we enjoyed a meal and then we had a drink in the hotel bar with live background music and there’s also a specialty Chinese Live Stars bar with singing if you enjoy listening and Karaoke and on one occassion the lunch we chose was the best real Chinese we have ever had.</p><p>The world’s largest toy exhibition is in what used to be the Old Egyptian Museum style night club, kids [many are adults] flocked from all over the place.</p><p>So…yes we will be back next year for what I am sure will be another great stay at what we now call… OUR SECOND HOME. You should visit...it really is worth a try</p> 2007-10-07T22:47:21-07:00 1228931161 2007-09-14T17:00:00-07:00 0 16 187075 5729167 82982 0 0.0 2007-09-04T17:00:00-07:00 Published 0.0 2007-10-07T22:47:37-07:00 97830 0