Come prepared for the Penang local hospitality which is not to be rushed. Staff are protective of facilities; and rightly so given the vantage point with unblocked views of Georgetown day and night. Simple courtesy and a smile goes a long way with the few staff. Lunch menu is limited to 3 local delights - fried rice and noodles with refreshments - tea, coffee and lime juice with sour plum. Breakfast menu is limited to tea, coffee, half boiled eggs and jam & toast. I stayed with my 2 primary school aged children. Yes I would stay again and to plan more time to explore the nature trails.

Excellent views of the town and the bridge of Penang from the highest peak on this lovely island. Recommend a stay in the hotel, now that the rooms are newly renovated. Try the ride on the buggy or the Segway when you are there.

Note that when you make a booking, you can request a pickup from airport or anywhere in town and arrange for 4-wheel drive vehicle to bring you and your luggage up to the hotel. Thus avoid using the train and the crowds.

I didn't actually stay at Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel, having only visited to dine in the cafe and enjoy the view. However, it's obvious that the facilities are aging... No surprise, as Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel is among one of the first stone structures ever built on Penang Hill, and was formerly a bungalow owned by the sheriff of Penang, William Halliburton.


As the first and only hotel on Penang Hill, Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel is rather small, with only 11 rooms, and no other normal hotel facilities (Swimming Pool, Arcade, etc.). It does have a small cafe / lounge, on a deck behind the hotel, which overlooks Penang Island, and has a great view.


Nowadays, Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel is mostly booked for events, rather than hotel stays. Currently, as of September 2012, the hotel is undergoing upgrading and restoration works, although you can still visit and dine at the cafe.


The Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel cafe is minimally staffed, during my visit, there were only 2 staff present. Also, unless the Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel (Cafe) has been booked for an event, the menu selection is limited to finger food. The full menu is only available during an event booking, this is because they ferry supplies up the hill according to demand.


Tip: Staff are instructed to discourage guests from dining in the garden behind, however, they will allow garden dining if the cafe is full. Or if you first dine indoors on the deck, then request to move to the garden later. You can however, walk around the garden, take photographs, and enjoy the view. As Bellevue The Penang Hill Hotel is private property, there won't be hordes of tourists here, only guests and customers of the hotel, and is therefore relatively quiet compared to the rest of Penang Hill.

I just recently stayed at Bellevue when i hiked up Penang hill. My initial plan was to hike from Teluk Bahang forest park till penang hill. I had reserved Bellevue because it would be late when i reach Penang hill and there would be no way to get down.
The service is average and so is food - Nothing fancy. Alcohol is expensive. However, the view from the restaurant is great. You get a good view of Georgetown.

All in all, expensive and may not be worth it. If you can go down the same day, just eat at the restaurant, enjoy the view and skip staying at the hotel.