Here are 7 heritage hotels to spend the night that come with the best old-city charm and close-knit hospitality that Penang is known for.
As much as Penang is known for its food, a big part of its attraction is also its culture and heritage -- it wasn't listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site for no reason.
Next time you're in the heritage city, don't break the old-city charm that you've enveloped yourself in from indulging in the humble street food, traversing the labryinth of streets dripping with faded colonial glory and conversing with the locals by going back to an impersonal commercial hotel.
Here are 7 heritage hotels to spend the night that come with all the best close-knit hospitality Penang is known for.
The Edison Georgetown
Refurbished from a former mansion that has been around since 1902, this property balances the perfect amount of modern luxury and historic architectural features. It consists only of 35 rooms and suites built around a breezy open-air central courtyard and even comes with its own pool by which you are free to lounge on its shaded cabanas. Best bit: It's only 10 minutes away from the famed Penang Road Teowchew chendol! Visit the official website here.
Muntri Mews
Dating back to the Edwardian era, the building that is now Muntri Mews used to be a communal parking lot for horses during the days of horse-drawn carriages. When renovation took place to transform it into the contemporary hotel row it is today, as much of the original features were maintained as possible, including the wooden windows, doors and roof trusses so the prized 20th century feel of the place is preserved to go with the warm communal living it offers. Find it here.
The Blue Mansion
The Blue Mansion, formerly known as Cheong Fatt Sze Mansion, was conceived and constructed back in the late 1800's and today stands as one of the most iconic boutique hotels in Malaysia. Discover a beautiful blend of cultures in what is a quintessentially Chinese Court House -- Cheong Fatt Sze's most lavish and favourite -- complete with noveau-inspired windows, Chinese porcelain carvings and British geometric tiles. Locate it here.
Love Lane Hotel
If you're looking for something low-density, Love Lane Hotel offers only 10 rooms and 3 family suites, all located within the walls of the courtyard of 23, Love Lane, hence the name. Being built at different times between the 1800 to present, 5 different architectural periods are apparent throughout the hotel, making each stay a truly immersive journey through the eras. Make your reservations here.
Loke Thye Kee Residences
Contemporary, luxurious and central, the Loke Thye Kee Residences are made up of 5 shoplots-turned-suites along Penang Road that stand as singular units of their own. Its historic Straits Chinese architecture is maintained but spruced up with contemporary luxuries like private kitchenettes and outdoor terraces. Inside, be ready to be wowed by a mix of sleek modern furnishings matched with rustic fixtures of the original building. See more here.
Yeng Keng Hotel
Like most heritage buildings in Georgetown, the property that houses Yeng Keng Hotel was also built in the late 1800's. It has since been restored to become the 20-room boutique hotel it is today boasting modern infrastructure amidst deliberately olden architecture to provide guests with an authentic heritage experience. Its hotspot location right in the middle of Chulia Street also makes it within a stone's throw away to many popular destinations in and around town. Book your stay here.
Campbell House
Don't let its sleek and shiny facade fool you; inside, warm wooden floors and quaint IndoChinese furnishings welcome you to a world of luxury accented by culture and history. Its restaurant, Il Bacaro, is also one of the best places in town to indulge in small plates style tapas along with a glass of wine should you feel like a break from the Penang street food. Discover more here.
For a slice of colonial luxury closer to home, here are 5 located both in KL and Penang.