Best Condos for Airbnb in Penang 2026: The Top 12 Buildings

Not every Penang condo is Airbnb-friendly. Some have strata bylaws that ban short stays. Others have management committees that quietly throttle bookings. Below are the top 12 condos for Airbnb in Penang in 2026, ranked on what actually matters: realistic ADR, occupancy, strata-bylaw friendliness, and net cash-on-cash return.

Numbers reflect our internal portfolio data and public OTA benchmarks. For neighbourhood-level analysis pair this with our best areas for Airbnb in Penang guide.

How We Ranked These Condos

• Strata friendliness — does the bylaw actually allow short-term rental?
• ADR ceiling — peak nightly rate the building supports
• Occupancy floor — realistic year-round occupancy
• Guest demand profile — heritage, beach, medical, corporate
• Maintenance overhead — age of building, sea-air exposure
• Resale optionality — capital-appreciation track record

The Top 12 Penang Condos for Airbnb (2026)

1. Quayside Resort Condominium — Tanjung Tokong

Straits Quay's flagship — sea views, marina access, Skybar, and a guest-friendly management committee. Strong international and Singaporean weekend demand.

• ADR: RM 280–RM 450
• Occupancy: 75–85%
• Best for: 2–3 bedroom sea-view units, family + couple segments

2. Birch The Plaza / Birch Regency — Pulau Tikus / Tanjung Bungah

Mid-market workhorse. Central location, good amenity stack, and a track record of approving Airbnb hosts. Strong for digital-nomad long stays.

• ADR: RM 180–RM 280
• Occupancy: 72–82%

3. Gurney Paragon Residences — Gurney Drive

Premium ADR, premium guests, premium entry price. Best for owners with capital seeking medical-tourism and high-end family bookings.

• ADR: RM 380–RM 600
• Occupancy: 68–78%
• Caveat: tighter strata vetting — confirm before purchase

4. The Tamarind — Tanjung Tokong

Resort-style facilities, sea views, and one of the best pool decks in Penang. Strong year-round family draw.

• ADR: RM 220–RM 360
• Occupancy: 70–80%

5. By The Sea — Batu Ferringhi

Beachfront, walk-out access. Peak ADR in Penang during Middle Eastern travel season (Dec–Mar).

• ADR: RM 250–RM 480 (RM 700+ peak)
• Occupancy: 65–78%

6. Mira Residences — Tanjung Bungah

Newer-build, sea-view, family-friendly. Excellent ROI band for first-time investors.

• ADR: RM 200–RM 320
• Occupancy: 72–82%

7. The Light Collection (Phase I–III) — Gelugor

Modern, well-managed, and a magnet for corporate and long-stay guests heading to PSDC and FIZ.

• ADR: RM 200–RM 320
• Occupancy: 70–80%

8. Tropicana Bay Residences — Bayan Lepas

Airport-side, lifestyle mall (Queensbay) on the doorstep. Best Airbnb-friendly building near PEN airport.

• ADR: RM 150–RM 240
• Occupancy: 68–78%

9. Setia V Residences — Gurney

Upscale finish, premium guest profile, walking distance to Gurney Plaza. Be sure to verify the latest strata position.

• ADR: RM 320–RM 500
• Occupancy: 65–75%

10. Mansion One — George Town fringe

Walkable to heritage zone, modern build, popular with heritage tourists who want a contemporary base.

• ADR: RM 220–RM 360
• Occupancy: 72–82%

11. Vertu Resort — Batu Kawan (mainland bonus)

Mainland outlier worth mentioning — Ikea, Design Village, and the Penang Second Bridge driving steady weekend domestic demand.

• ADR: RM 150–RM 240
• Occupancy: 65–75%

12. Heritage Shophouses (Armenian Street / Lebuh Chulia) — George Town

Not a single condo — but the best-yielding asset class in George Town. Pre-war shophouses converted for boutique Airbnb stays consistently top our portfolio for ADR.

• ADR: RM 350–RM 700+
• Occupancy: 70–85%
• Note: heritage compliance via MBPP required — our Penang renovation team handles it.

Buildings to Avoid (or Verify Carefully)

Several premium Penang condos either ban Airbnb outright or have hostile management committees. Verify the latest strata position before you sign — common problem buildings include certain phases of:

• Newer Gurney/Tanjung Tokong launches with "residential only" bylaws
• Some Bayan Mutiara buildings with capped short-term licences
• Older walk-up apartments without proper management committees

What to Check Before Buying for Airbnb

1. Read the strata bylaws — Section "Use of Parcel" specifically
2. Confirm in writing with the management committee that Airbnb is permitted
3. Check the building's MOTAC registration eligibility — see our Penang licensing guide
4. Estimate net ROI with our ROI calculator
5. Compare against long-term rental income

Want a Building Vetted Before You Buy?

We pre-vet strata bylaws, MC stance, and realistic ADR/occupancy for any Penang building — free, before you put in an offer. Send us the building name on WhatsApp and we'll come back within 24 hours.