4D3N Penang Beachside Stay: Seashells, Sunsets & Swimming – Part 1

We recently returned from a 4-day family trip to Penang — and it was just the kind of escape we needed. With sun-soaked mornings by the beach in Batu Ferringhi and leisurely afternoons wandering through the heritage streets of George Town, this trip struck a lovely balance between play and culture, rest and discovery.

Beach days in Batu Ferringhi

Located along the northern coast of Penang, Batu Ferringhi is one of the island’s most popular beachside areas — known for its relaxed coastal charm, family-friendly resorts, and long stretch of sandy beach lined with palm trees. It’s about 40 minutes from the airport, and offers a very different pace from the busier streets of George Town.

Family comfort at Golden Sands

While Rasa Sayang offers a peaceful, more luxurious vibe, we chose to stay at Shangri-La Golden Sands — and honestly, we preferred it for this trip. It’s more relaxed, more family-focused, and felt perfectly suited to travelling with young kids.

We booked a Superior Family Combo Room, featuring two interconnecting room — one King Size Room for parents and one adventure room for kids, equipped with a tree house inspired loft bed and tippy tent with single bed.

But what really made the kids’ eyes light up was the water play area. There’s a colourful splash zone with fountains and sprays, just right for toddlers and preschoolers to run wild safely. Next to it are two water slides that feeds into a shallow pool — exciting, but not intimidating. The whole area is shaded, and the soft flooring made it worry-free for us parents.

We ended up spending a lot of time by the pool — swimming, lounging, and just letting the day pass slowly. It had that perfect balance of energy and ease.

One of the most magical parts of our stay was simply walking along the beach in the evening. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky shifted into soft hues of orange and pink, casting a golden glow across the sand. The tide was low, the air was cooler, and everything felt just a little slower.

The kids chased waves and looked for seashells, their laughter carried by the breeze. We left our slippers behind and walked barefoot, taking it all in — the sound of the waves, the faint music from nearby stalls, the warmth of the day finally giving way to a gentle calm.

It was one of those simple moments that felt almost too perfect to plan — just being together, with the sea stretching endlessly ahead.

Then, we wandered down the night market stretch, which was full of colourful stalls and local snacks — though we mostly browsed (it gets quite lively and crowded later in the evening). One of the highlights was catching a free fire show right on the beach — a spontaneous surprise that had the kids absolutely mesmerised.

Entopia: Surprisingly fun!

Honestly? We weren’t super keen on visiting Entopia at first. None of us are particularly into butterflies, and we figured it’d just be a quick stop-and-go kind of place. But we went anyway — and we’re so glad we did, because it turned out to be sooo much nicer than expected.

Entopia isn’t just about butterflies. It’s a beautifully designed, open-air space that blends nature, play, and gentle discovery. The butterfly garden was much bigger than we expected — with winding paths, waterfalls, and lush greenery everywhere. The butterflies fluttered freely all around us, and yes, it was magical in a way that completely snuck up on us.

There were also plenty of interactive elements to keep the kids engaged. And the highlight? Releasing live butterflies into the garden! It’s such a simple, awe-filled moment that they’re still talking about.

After the butterflies, we wandered deeper into Entopia and found ourselves face-to-face with a whole world of bugs — stick insects, beetles, leaf insects, and more. To our surprise (and slight horror?), there was an opportunity to touch some of them!