The extended tasting showed the pastry counter’s range during our visit.
The 2PM Lounge afternoon tea at G Hotel Kelawai brought a modern alternative to Penang’s more traditional tea rooms. During our 2018 visit, the set combined savory bites, scones and a generous choice of cakes in a high-ceilinged lounge near Gurney Drive. The tea selection was limited and served in bags, while the food, presentation and remarkably good value made a much stronger impression.
This review records the experience as Vivi and Ian tasted it, including an extended set provided for editorial review. For travelers planning afternoon tea in Penang today, we have also checked the venue’s current status, address, opening hours and contact details separately.
Is the 2PM Lounge afternoon tea worth booking?
Best for: Travelers who prefer a contemporary hotel lounge, generous cakes and approachable prices over a formal heritage setting.
Contents
G Hotel Kelawai stands close to Gurney Paragon Mall, where contemporary towers have become neighbors to the smaller buildings that give George Town much of its character. The hotel’s ground-floor 2PM Lounge remains part of its current dining collection, alongside SPOON and the rooftop Gravity bar.
When we visited in 2018, afternoon tea was a relatively new addition to Penang’s hotel scene. 2PM approached it with an international menu and a relaxed, urban setting, quite different from the heritage atmosphere found elsewhere on the island.
The lounge paired black and gold finishes with double-height windows that brought daylight into an otherwise dark interior. Its open layout still gave each table enough separation for an unhurried conversation, and a private room was available for guests wanting more privacy.
Seating was comfortable throughout, including on the outdoor terrace. We had hoped to take our tea outside, although the weather had other ideas that afternoon. Indoors proved a pleasant second choice, with the tall windows keeping the room from becoming too enclosed.
The tea list was one of the weaker parts of the experience. 2PM served a short selection of Ronnefeldt teas in pre-portioned bags, which seemed a little too practical for a hotel afternoon tea. A broader range of loose-leaf tea would have matched the care shown in the food and presentation.
I chose Ronnefeldt Rooibos Vanilla. It had an earthy base, a gentle sweetness and a recognizable vanilla aroma. Ian went in the opposite direction with peppermint tea, whose natural menthol produced a sharper, cooling finish. Both cups were enjoyable, even if the format lacked the small ritual that loose leaves and a properly timed infusion bring to afternoon tea.
Our host provided an extended version of the afternoon tea so that we could taste more of the kitchen’s work. The standard set at the time arranged savory pieces, scones and sweets on a three-tier stand, accompanied by two cakes per person chosen from the daily display. Any items described below should be read as part of our 2018 experience, since the hotel’s current menu may differ.
The savory course opened with a black slider filled with chicken and crisp lettuce. The bun was notably fresh, as was the croissant used for a straightforward sandwich of ham, lettuce and mayonnaise. We were told that the pastries were made from scratch each day, and the croissant’s brittle outer layers supported that claim better than any kitchen slogan could.
A tuna canapé followed, lightly sweetened by mayonnaise, together with a sausage wrapped in puff pastry. The latter carried the strongest flavor on the plate and worked particularly well with a sip of rooibos between bites. None of these combinations attempted to reinvent afternoon tea; their appeal came from freshness and tidy execution.
Scones are usually my favorite part of afternoon tea, and those at 2PM Lounge justified the anticipation. Their rustic appearance concealed a crisp crust and a clean interior without the floury aftertaste that can spoil an otherwise good scone. Jam and butter accompanied them, though clotted cream would have completed the plate far more convincingly.
The freedom to choose two cakes per guest distinguished 2PM from many hotel teas, where the pastry selection arrives without consultation. Faced with the display, we favored the carrot cake and banana cake. Availability changed daily, which made the choice more interesting and also meant that no particular cake could be guaranteed.
The carrot cake was moist and light, with nuts bringing a welcome interruption to the soft crumb. Banana cake can easily become heavy or overly sweet. This one avoided both problems, using ripe fruit for flavor without leaving the sticky texture I have encountered too often elsewhere.
The chef also selected a cheesecake, then one of the lounge’s best sellers. Its filling was airy, creamy and properly cheesy without becoming excessively sweet. The macarons were similarly accomplished and left us with a persuasive reason to return to the pastry counter.
A tart with neatly folded mandarin segments appeared next, followed by a temporary specialty that was not included in the regular afternoon tea set: white chocolate lava cake. Cutting through the center released a warm Swiss chocolate filling. We certainly did not need another dessert by then, a technical detail that did little to stop us.
Our 2018 afternoon tea at 2PM Lounge succeeded through fresh pastries, good scones, an unusually generous cake choice and attentive service. Its contemporary setting suited travelers who wanted a relaxed hotel tea near Gurney Drive, while the use of tea bags and the absence of clotted cream kept the experience from being fully complete.
Value was exceptional at the price charged during our visit, although that historical figure should not be treated as a current offer. The hotel continues to list afternoon tea at 2PM, so the experience remains relevant, with the sensible proviso that today’s menu and price need checking before a visit. For a broader comparison, see our guide to the best afternoon tea in Penang.
| Detail | Information checked in September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | 2PM Lounge at G Hotel Kelawai |
| Address | 2, Persiaran Maktab, 10250 Penang, Malaysia |
| Category | Hotel lounge and afternoon tea |
| Price guide | Our 2018 set cost approximately US$12 for two. A September 2026 seasonal afternoon tea was advertised at US$22 per set for two. Confirm the current menu and price before visiting. |
| Opening hours | 2PM Lounge: daily, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Afternoon tea serving hours may vary by menu or promotion. |
| Dress code | No formal dress code is published on the official venue page. |
| Phone | +604 238 0000 |
| Website | Official 2PM Lounge website |
Yes. G Hotel Kelawai’s official 2PM Lounge page still lists an afternoon tea menu in September 2026. The selection and price can change, so confirm the current set when reserving.
The official venue page lists 2PM Lounge as open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Afternoon tea is sered between 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Our 2018 afternoon tea cost approximately US$12 for two. In September 2026, the hotel advertised a seasonal afternoon tea at US$22 per set. Treat both as dated examples and ask the hotel for the current price.
2PM Lounge is on the ground floor of G Hotel Kelawai at 2, Persiaran Maktab, 10250 Penang, Malaysia, near Gurney Paragon Mall.
Based on our 2018 visit, yes. We rated it 9.0/10 for its fresh savory pastries, scones, cake selection, service and value. The tea selection was limited, and we would have preferred loose-leaf tea and clotted cream.
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