Spent two nights in June 2011 as a part of our babymoon. As we would be on the move for the whole day and be spending only the night in the hotel, did not go in for a more expensive hotel and Traders turned out to be an excellent value for money. We flew in from Langkawi with Firefly and were advised to take a bus to Komtar. Our boarding passes allowed us a free ride. We got off at Komtar and dragging the suitcase we approached the hotel from the rear side. The bell boy saw us and came and took the back. Check in was smooth. Staff was professional. My credit card was used to block a security deposit. Later on in the evening got a call from reception advising they had accidently billed my card and promptly handed me cash for the billed amount and a extra 5 ringgit to cover and transaction fees. A gesture highly appreciated. While the view from the room was not spectacular, the room was comfortable and we got a good night's sleep. The location was fantastic. The mall was right next to us so we could shop and enjoy a movie. Bus service from Komtar to all over the island was fantastic. There was even a free bus to take is all over town. The rooms were clean and well maintained. We did not opt for the breakfast at the hotel as for a price lower than that, there was a lot to eat in Georgetown. Strongly recommend this place as your base while in Georgetown. Very convenient and close to everything.

I stayed here at the recommendation of my brother and was so glad. I had a club room which I think is worth the extra, especially for the nibbles at happy hour in the club lounge. I was there only for 3 nights and had an accident in Penang while I was there. I could not have been looked after any better, the hotel staff were amazingly kind and went well beyond their duty of care and I cannot speak highly enough of my treatment while I was there.

I spent four nights at Trader’s, and had a superb experience. From the moment I checked in, through a multitude of interactions with staff, to the final minute when the bellman ran into a rainstorm to hail a cab, this was good old style Asian hotel service.
And the price wasn’t too bad either, in my opinion.
Evidently the Shangri-La doesn’t manage this hotel anymore, but the high standards of that group still linger throughout the property. I obtained a deluxe room on the Club Floor-highly recommended--and staff in that private lounge went out of their way to make all guests feel important. By the morning of the fourth day, waiters in the breakfast lounge already had my coffee and newspaper preference at my favourite corner table by the time I made there from the front entrance.
I felt that the extra cost of the Club floors on 16 and 17 were worth it--you may even get a free upgrade--as you get private breakfast and evening cocktails in the lounge, free wi-fi, newspapers and late checkout. (I received a 4 pm checkout on first request.)
Other notes: the gym and pool area are smallish but well-maintained, and I had two excellent therapeutic massages in the spa. Wi-fi reception was excellent throughout the hotel and in my room, and was free(although that may have come with the Club floor premium). Location is good for access to mall shopping, and about a 15-20 minute walk to old George Town historic area.
There are some signs of tiredness around the hotel, but compared to some of the five star properties I stayed at in Australia the week before, Trader’s seemed brand new.
One shortfall for me was the rather bland restaurant in the main lobby; it was unimaginative and overpriced when many good and cheap cafes and eateries are right next door in the big mall.
Overall, I could have easily settled into a much longer stay at Trader’s. It had that comfortable feel of the grand hotels I used to stay at in Asia 25 years ago, and Penang in particular is a marvelous city of ethnic diversity and historical interest.
Both warrant a stopover for anyone visiting, or passing through, Malaysia.

i was surprised by the hotel, because i had saw couple of slightly negative reviews about the hotel. the location was central, it takes 45mins flat to get to komtar from the penang int'l airport. and the hotel is right beside komtar, or the bus terminal.
true that the room doesn't have those flat panel lcd tvs, but hey, penang is a rustic old town. the tv shouldn't matter much. the room size is decently big, the toilet's clean, bedsheets always nicely tucked. i have nothing to complain. i had arrived earlier than the official check in timing, and the frontdesk staff even took her initiative to look for an empty room so that i can check in early.
they've got free shuttle buses between rasa sayang at batu ferringhi by the beach, and gurney drive. the bus ride was scenic, and bus came promptly too. had no issues with the bus; in fact, the bus wasn't even fully occupied. there's also shuttle buses that goes to the industrial area.
the location of the hotel is central, beside couple of shoppng malls and within walking distance from the penang heritage zone. the buses from the bus terminal behind the hotel cover pretty much all of the tourist sites. one thing i didn't like was that there wasn't much food options nearby other than outlets in the shopping centres.
my room came with a nice view which oversee the swimming pool, the old shop houses, and the hills in the far distance.