Stay in this hotel 3 years ago, on business trip. Tried here this time round for this business trip. Finds that hotel room is a bit run down and not as well clean and maintain as last time.
Location is very good though, but not so much value for the price paid and I don't feel the 5 star rating. Breakfast is decent but nothing to shout about. Besides location, view from room (16 floor) is good. May not consider this hotel next business trip or even for holidays, unless the price is really attractive.

This is my first choice when I need to stay on Gurney Drive for work at Gurney Plaza. It's just a 5-10min. walk to Gurney Plaza and the located right beside the shore.

The Pros:
1. Reasonably priced considering what you get. The rooms are standard, beds are comfortable, and it's clean.
2. If you're driving, there's a block right beside the entrance where parking is available and free for guests.
3. Check-in was fast and the staff converse well in English.
4. Again, the location allows you to explore Gurney Drive from the start to the end. Food is not a problem when you're in Penang!

The In betweens:
1. Given that the Evergreen has been around for quite a while, signs of aging is evident. A small facelift or upgrade would do the hotel even greater. I'm sure they have the budget for it.
2. At one glance, you know the reception staff are seasoned veterans - they know what they're doing and know how to do it fast. However I don't receive an atmosphere of hospitality as one would expect from someone who's been at the job long- what more at a hotel. People skills could be improved in my opinion.
3. The hotel is pretty dim, but the rooms are not.
4. There's supposed WIFI, but I did not use it.

The Bad:
1. Once I booked my room online through the hotel's website with my Amex, the next day after checkout, my card was used to purchase an airline ticket from Etihad and a software from a European website. Luckily my bank immediately called upon transaction and I had it disputed on the spot. I suspect the website had phished my card details or either that a staff had access to my details. I would advise travelers to reserve via phone.
2. Rooms are not always available especially on short notice. Book in advance.
3. Give the gym an upgrade! Only Arnold's generation would consider the gym well equipped!

On the overall, the hotel is business and family friendly. Even with my grouses I would still stay at the Evergreen whenever I need to by in Gurney Drive as the hotel meets standards and expectations for the price paid.

Lovely clean, bright welcoming hotel in a truly superb location.
Reminiscent of Shangri-la hotels without the service. Now don't get wrong dear reader, The service was good, but the reception desk team could do with the same training that they give to Shangri-la staff. We want a bit more friendliness, rather than the matter of fact get it done efficiency that this company provides on its airlines.
The rooms were great, Clean, fresh comfortable bright with a great bathroom that even had big fluffy towels.
There was a basket of fresh fruit which was replenished every day and 2 complimentary bottles of fresh water.
Breakfast (not included) for which i paid extra was a sumptuous feast which had I gone to earlier, I could have eaten more on the first day. A great buffet breakfast catering for all nationalities with so much choice, indeed worth the price I paid.
The location gives a great view out across the bay and the location is wonderful for getting to shops and hawker food stalls. It is only a 10 minute walk to Gurney Plaza and shopping heaven for all the ladies out there.
The hotel has a happy hour that lasts nearly all night, and the gin and tonic is excellent!

This is rated as a 5 star hotel, a little over-rated, but for the approx USD 75 that I paid for the room only per night on an internet deal, it was a bargain. The room was of an adequate size, comfortable beds and clean bathroom. The deal did not include breakfast, but the hotel was on Gurney Drive with lots of food outlets nearby within walking distance. There was free broadband internet in the roon, via cable, quite fast. Free car-parking also. I would definitely stay again.