Hotel Review: M Social Resort Penang

Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Tanjung Bungah—translated as “Flower Cape”—M Social Resort Penang emerges as a bold and stylish new hotel option in Penang’s hospitality scene. Officially launched in July 2025 after a refurbishment from the previous Copthorne Orchird Penang, this is the seventh global property under Millennium Hotels & Resorts’ M Social brand and its first in Malaysia. For those unfamiliar, Millennium Hotels & Resorts has a number of properties under their wing including the M Social Singapore and Copthorne King’s Hotel.

Stepping inside, one is greeted by bright colors and a distinctly fun vibe —think geometric patterns, lively color palettes of rose pink, sky blue, sea green and cream—that pay homage to George Town’s heritage shophouses and coastal beauty. An expansive mural in the lobby leads one to gaze outward toward panoramic sea views from the signature restaurant, Beast & Butterflies. 

By the lobby, the naturally lit The Social Hub was probably thought of as a co-working space but the funky furnishings make it just as appealing as a lounge area, especially with the pinkish hues of the bougainvillea by the window adding more colors to the eyes. During weekends, a live band graces the venue to serenade guests looking for an evening tipple. 

Rooms

With 318 rooms and suites across two distinct wings—the sunset-facing Sunset Bay Wing and beachfront Azure Wing—the resort caters to everyone from solo travelers to families. With the 8th floor lobby separating the two, the sunset bay wing occupies the upper floors and the rooms here have panoramic sea views. Rooms in the azure wing, on the other hand, have direct beach access. For this particular stay, my room was a Social Cosy located in the upper sunset bay wing.

One of the benefits of inheriting the same structure as an older hotel is that rooms tend to be bigger. In the case of M Social Resort Penang, not only are the rooms spacious. Every room, even the base-level ones, comes with a balcony. This is especially apt when in an area like Tanjung Bungah where it’s particularly quiet even in the day. One small thing to note is that since the balconies look out into the sea, those evening and late-night thunderstorms originating from the Andaman Sea are more perceptible here.

Each room blends modern comforts with whimsical tech – think 55-inch smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi and the ingenious Aiello voice assistant. It can be thought of as a gadget where one can control the lights, order room service or checking local attractions—like where to find the best street food—without picking up the phone. That being said, the gadget also acts as the phone if ever one needs to reach the front desk. 

Due to its positioning as a resort, M Social has done away with the traditional work desk and replaced it instead with a round table situated next to the sofa. It’s a multi-purpose setup, allowing an easy way to dine during those late-night hunger pangs and for last-minute work calls at the same time. 

The bathroom is spacious and comes with almost the complete set of amenities (lotions not included). Toiletries are the dispenser type.

Dining

I had a pretty good experience with the original Beast & Butterflies over at M Social Singapore so I was curious to see whether the Penang outlet would be just as good. Beast & Butterflies here is positioned as an all-day dining restaurant with a mix of ala carte options. During Saturdays, they also run buffets which seem to be popular among locals. truly shines with its Peranakan offerings alongside international fare. The buffet rotates daily, featuring everything from nasi briyani and oyster omelette to grilled lamb and fresh seafood. Creative live stations—hokkien mee, roti canai, kaya toast—add a theatrical touch to every meal.

Beast & Butterflies is also where breakfast is served. One can expect the usual suspects here – from eggs done your way to noodle stations and even a nasi lemak section. I also did note the rather extensive pastry selection although I focused more on the salads and porridge. One of the nice things about the restaurant is that many of the tables are positioned in a way that the diner looks out into the tranquil sea – a befitting sight in the morning!

I also dropped by during lunch and dinner. The ala carte menu features some creatively concocted dishes. Standouts include the butterfly chicken and grilled cod. Those looking for local flavors can indulge in the popiah as well as kueh pie tee. 

For lighter bites, Breezy Bites offers poolside cocktails and games while The Social Hub serves afternoon tea and relaxed cocktails in a cozy lounge vibe. I dropped by to try the afternoon tea and at MYR 88 for two, I thought it was of good value. The set included some local treats such as kueh pie tee contrasted with smoked salmon burrito, mini donuts and more. 

Facilities 

The resort boasts of a sea-facing swimming pool. On clear days, one can get a glimpse of Gunung Jerai from the mainland in the distance. 

The gym is also located in the same level as the pool. It contains many of the essential gym equipment, such as treadmills for running / cardio as well as a set of weights and one for multi-purpose resistance training.

Final Thoughts

Overall, M Social Resort Penang offers a stylish stay with modern facilities and an alternative location, something in between the hustle and bustle of Georgetown or the tranquil vibe of Batu Ferringhi. While there are areas that may appeal more to certain types of travelers than others, it provides a balanced mix of comfort, design, and accessibility that makes it worth considering for a Penang getaway.