Note: Le Embassy Hotel is permanently closed, but this review remains as a record of its history and my personal experience.
Contents
Le Embassy Hotel at a Glance
Hotel: Le Embassy Hotel, George Town Penang
Stay Date: 19/02/2022 (1 Night)
Room: Counselor Queen Room (No. 204)
Price: RM120 (Breakfast RM10 extra)
Booking: Official Website
Deposit: RM100 Refundable
Floors: 2 | Rooms: 33 | Opened: 1957 | Renovated: 2019
History & Location
Le Embassy Hotel once stood proudly at the junction of Jalan Burma and Jalan Transfer, right in the heart of George Town.
For me, this spot carries layers of memory.
Before it became a hotel, the ground floor was a lively kopitiam where locals gathered for kopi, toast, and ais kacang.
My classmate Mei’s mum ran the place and often treated us kids.
I still remember the servers Lulu and Mary—why two men had women’s names.
I’ll never know, but as a 12-year-old, I didn’t ask.
Across the road was Rex Cinema, where many of us spent our Saturday afternoons.
Today it’s a furnishing shop, but the echoes of laughter and matinees still linger in my mind.
Looking out my hotel window in 2022, I could see Hai Onn Restaurant.
I still drop by sometimes for their Hainan chicken chop—a plate of nostalgia that tastes exactly like the past.
Further down Macalister Lane, I make my food pilgrimages to Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak, Siew Fong Lye Café, and the chee cheong fun stall.
Each bite keeps those George Town memories alive.
Le Embassy Hotel Stay (Looking Back)
My Counselor Queen Room was cozy and comfortable.
The queen-sized bed came with four fluffy pillows that made it easy to rest after a long day of walking George Town.
The room had space to work, windows that opened for fresh air, and natural light streaming in from both the bedroom and bathroom.
The bathroom was especially memorable.
Kampong glass windows cast a soothing green hue in the mornings.
From the bathroom I had a clear view of KOMTAR—George Town’s ever-present landmark.
The shower was hot with good pressure, though the lack of a partition made the floor wet easily.
Counselor Room (25 units)
Nice and neat bathroom
I chose the sandwich set, though I knew my real breakfast mission was outside at Penang’s famous stalls.
Food Memories Nearby
Staying here meant being in the middle of a food lover’s paradise. Within minutes, I could be tucking into:
- Roti Canai Transfer Road – Crispy edges, curry-soaked mornings.
- Sup Hameed – A Penang supper classic, steps away.
- Ais Tingkap & Nyonya Cendol – For those hot afternoons.
- Bee Hwa Café – A proper local breakfast spot.
- Hai Onn Restaurant – Proper Hainanese restaurant
And just a short walk further down Macalister Lane were my absolute favorites:
- Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak – A Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand stall with wok hei perfection.
- Siew Fong Lye Café – Local Kopi O and Roti Bakar
- Silky Chee Cheong Fun – A simple dish that never disappoints.
This neighborhood wasn’t just about staying the night.
It was about living the food culture that defines Penang.
Final Thoughts
Le Embassy Hotel was never about luxury.
It was about comfort, location, and a touch of nostalgia. It gave me a spacious room, friendly service, and a base to explore George Town on foot.
More importantly, it stood on the same ground where I spent my childhood, where kopitiam chatter and cinema crowds shaped the rhythm of the neighborhood.
Though the hotel is now permanently closed, the memories of Le Embassy remain tied to George Town’s story.
For me, it was a stay filled with history, comfort, and the flavors of Penang that will always bring me back.
Blog Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog post, but all opinions are mine.
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