Asia - Penang (Georgetown) hotel recs?

Does anyone have recommendations for a hotel in Penang. Unlike the post from a few days ago, I am looking for a hotel in Georgetown and NOT on the beach. Preferably, I'm looking for something under $60USD, which should give me plenty of options, but I can't seem to find a solid recommendation. Lots of reports of old, scuzzy, hotels. That's not what I want for my vacation.

(p.s. The E&O sounds lovely but is WAY to expensive for me and the Cheong Fatt Zhe mansion is not returning emails, so those two are both out).

Thanks!

It's been a while (years, really), but I liked the Hong Ping on Lebuh Chulia. 27 rooms, so not that big. Maybe US$15/night. I see it got a terrible review based on a stay in July, 2006, so who knows.

You may want to look at Asiatravel or ask at thorntree.lonelyplanet.com for some current recommendations.

yeah, i've tried thorntree. although its usually quite helpful, there's been a dearth of information. oh well. . .

My friends from Malaysia like to stay here when they're in Penang for business - http://www.northam-hotel.com.my/index.htm - for the price it's great value, RM190++ for a studio suite. If you need to be in Georgetown it's definitely a good option.

I spent a night in Georgetown in late September at the Bayview Hotel, which I was told is right in the heart of Georgetown. I was only there for 11 hours, 8 of which I spent sleeping, so I can't tell you much about the surrounding area.

The hotel itself was pretty decent. I'd say that my room was at least as good as one at a Holiday Inn or something similar. It was cheap, too, less than $50. All in all, it was perfectly fine for me.

www.bayviewintl.com

My only complaint is that the breakfast buffet was pretty bad.

Does anyone have recommendations for a hotel in Penang. Unlike the post from a few days ago, I am looking for a hotel in Georgetown and NOT on the beach. Preferably, I'm looking for something under $60USD, which should give me plenty of options, but I can't seem to find a solid recommendation. Lots of reports of old, scuzzy, hotels. That's not what I want for my vacation.

(p.s. The E&O sounds lovely but is WAY to expensive for me and the Cheong Fatt Zhe mansion is not returning emails, so those two are both out).

Thanks!

Hang in there for the Cheong Fatt. I've stayed there a half dozen times and it is fantastic.