![photo P1220655_zps2121711f.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220655_zps2121711f.jpg)
I normally stay in budget hotels during my travels as I prefer to spend my money on food and sightseeing instead. Besides I only need the hotel to sleep. But this time, I decided to splurge a little and stay in a 5-star hotel.
![photo P1220441_zps3ec582f0.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220441_zps3ec582f0.jpg)
There are two types of rooms in this 18-storey hotel. The first type faces the city of George Town, and the second type which is more expensive, faces the sea. Naturally, I chose the room that has a sea view!
![photo P1220442_zps07479869.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220442_zps07479869.jpg)
Although this hotel is quite old (built is 1997 and last renovated in 2007), it was pretty well maintained.
When I checked in at about 1pm, the staff at the counter asked if I wanted to upgrade to a Premier room by paying an additional RM5++ per day. I thought why not? So I was given a Premier room on the 10th floor facing the sea.
![photo P1220443_zps3c26b4fa.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220443_zps3c26b4fa.jpg)
The room was spacious and clean. I loved it!
Here's an environmental message from the hotel.
![photo P1220448_zps220e3b71.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220448_zps220e3b71.jpg)
There's an alarm clock to help wake me up and a phone for me to call for assistance.
![photo P1220449_zpsca2429d0.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220449_zpsca2429d0.jpg)
Three red apples on a plate. But they looked rather old and wrinkly. The hotel should have provided fresh fruits instead!
![photo P1220450_zps64162597.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220450_zps64162597.jpg)
I did not really bother about the apples though. Who cares about the apples when you have so much yummy food out there in Penang? I did not even bother to dine in the hotel's restaurant. It would be quite silly to eat in the hotel when so many good food could be found in the city of George Town.
![photo P1220490_zps05c60ee4.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220490_zps05c60ee4.jpg)
This is the chair which I liked to sit and read my book, or tweet or checking out Facebook or simply to take a short nap!
![photo P1220456_zpsbba0fdd4.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220456_zpsbba0fdd4.jpg)
As expected from a 5-star hotel - a TV with multiple local and satellite channels. Although I must say I hardly watched the TV during my stay there.
![photo P1220460_zps76e7c728.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220460_zps76e7c728.jpg)
Coffee and tea making facilities.
![photo P1220461_zps1187456f.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220461_zps1187456f.jpg)
And as usual, there's a mini fridge, safe deposit box, bathrobe, iron and hangers.
![photo P1220462_zps90cd920b.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220462_zps90cd920b.jpg)
One of the many photos hanging on the wall.
![photo P1220458_zpse81e7921.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220458_zpse81e7921.jpg)
And most important of all, complimentary broadband internet and wifi. I really can't stand hotels that do not provide free and good wifi service! What about you?
![photo P1220474_zpsd8722e06.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220474_zpsd8722e06.jpg)
I have to say though that the best thing about my stay in Evergreen Laurel Hotel was the sea view from my glass window.
![photo P1220451_zps508efd3e.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220451_zps508efd3e.jpg)
I spent many moments looking out to the sea and enjoying the view. Imagine if I had been here on that fateful Boxing Day in 2004 when the tsunami hit Gurney Drive! I would have had a first hand view of the disaster!
![photo P1220454_zps758ae1dc.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220454_zps758ae1dc.jpg)
The fountain and car park below.
![photo P1220455_zps55094b53.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220455_zps55094b53.jpg)
Of course, to ensure I had a comfortable stay in this hotel, I made sure I checked out the bathroom and toilet!
![photo P1220470_zps5e79ce91.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220470_zps5e79ce91.jpg)
I was glad that it was clean, although I would not go so far as to say that it was spotless.
![photo P1220472_zps7c7b22a0.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220472_zps7c7b22a0.jpg)
Since I seldom use bathtub, I still prefer a shower inside a cubicle that would separate the shower area from the toilet bowl. And I really missed those nice rainforest shower that I enjoyed in many other hotels.
Some house rules...
![photo P1220468_zps97e5cef5.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220468_zps97e5cef5.jpg)
Essential toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, body lotion, shower cap, hand soaps, hand towels, and bath towels as expected in a 5-star hotel.
![photo P1220464_zps7a0ed8e7.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220464_zps7a0ed8e7.jpg)
Did I take some of the toiletries home? Of course I did. I always do, either as souvenirs or to be used in future travels where the hotels do not provide such amenities.
![photo P1220465_zps5ab9c45c.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220465_zps5ab9c45c.jpg)
A hair dryer was also provided.
![photo P1220466_zpsfc90f1b5.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220466_zpsfc90f1b5.jpg)
![photo P1220467_zps518d0f21.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220467_zps518d0f21.jpg)
This is how my room looks like during the night with the TV switched on, and the curtains drawn.
![photo P1220638_zps99332e8a.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220638_zps99332e8a.jpg)
Every morning during my stay in Penang, I would wake up to a beautiful sunrise over the ocean.
![photo P1220643_zps37692851.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220643_zps37692851.jpg)
Here are a few snapshots of the early morning skies viewed from my hotel room.
![photo P1220639_zps2ae56f86.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220639_zps2ae56f86.jpg)
![photo P1220642_zps6859198a.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220642_zps6859198a.jpg)
If you choose to stay in Evergreen Laurel Hotel, make sure you choose the room that faces the sea! It is definitely worth it!
![photo P1220647_zps95a506d7.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220647_zps95a506d7.jpg)
Although the hotel offers facilities like swimming pool, gym, spa and tennis court, I never had the chance to make use of them.
But I did love strolling outside the hotel along Gurney Drive.
![photo P1220659_zpsbb0a328a.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220659_zpsbb0a328a.jpg)
I had an enjoyable time walking and enjoying the cool breeze from the sea.
![photo P1220660_zpsc5d154f3.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220660_zpsc5d154f3.jpg)
I even composed a song during my walk here and named it "A Relaxing Afternoon At Gurney Drive". You can listen to it HERE.
![photo P1220657_zps6343edfa.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220657_zps6343edfa.jpg)
One thing good about Evergreen Laurel Hotel is the location. It's a short walking distance to Gurney Paragon Mall, Gurney Plaza Mall, the (overrated) Gurney hawker centre, and to the famous Thai and Burmese temples.
![photo P1220977_zps20947398.jpg](http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac228/jesselton88/Bahulu%20UFO/P1220977_zps20947398.jpg)
Although not as trendy as G Hotel located further down (or is it up?) Gurney Drive, Evergreen Laurel Hotel is still to me, a good place to stay if you do not mind paying a little bit more for comfort and luxury, and of course the sea view!