Historic Penang offers a compelling mix of heritage, dining and nightlife with a well preserved Straits Chinese heritage reflected in the shop-houses and temples of the island’s capital Georgetown. The second largest city in Malaysia, Penang is an essential stop on any tailor made or self-drive tour of Malaysia or as a base for touring the island which has plenty of attractions for the whole family. Penang beach resort hotels can be a little dated (with the exception of Shangri La and Lone Pine Resorts), but there are a number of excellent luxury and boutique hotels in the capital Georgetown.