The good life isn’t always about fancy lounge areas and cutting-edge architecture. The old and worn has its charm, too – especially in Penang. Wildly popular for its delicious street food and traditional architecture, George Town, the vibrant capital city of Penang, is also a famed Unesco World Heritage Site.
And whether you’re a local or a tourist, Penang is always a good idea. The next time you’re in town for a visit, be sure to check in to one of these charming heritage hotels for an authentic experience that will transport you back to Penang’s British Malaya past.
The Edison
Nestled along Lebuh Leith in George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on one of Penang’s oldest streets, The Edison offers a serene stay just a short distance from the bustling tourist spots. Initially commissioned and built as a residence for business tycoon Yeo Wee Gark back in 1906, the building was then used as an administrative centre during the Japanese Occupation in the mid-1940s. In 2016, the hotel was renovated and rebranded to what it is today – a historic mansion offering modern comforts and gracious hospitality while embracing its rich heritage.
Address: 15, Lebuh Leith, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-262 2990
Seven Terraces
Situated along Stewart Lane is a row of interlinked shophouses that make up Seven Terraces, a 19th century classic beauty. The Anglo-Chinese terrace features beautifully decorated details imported from England and distinctive traditional Chinese architecture. Apart from the open-air courtyard, the hotel’s excellent use of vintage furniture and antique finishing is something to look forward to. Round off the cultural experience by dining at the hotel’s Kebaya restaurant that specialises in delicious baba Nyonya food.
Address: 14A, Stewart Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Contact: 04-264 2333
Noordin Mews
Glorifying a part of history, Noordin Mews was once a Peranakan shophouse in the 1920s. Since then, the hotel has been refurbished by local firm Studio Eleven to honour the building’s original charm while being skillfully adapted to offer modern touches. Step inside and discover the beauty behind each interior and fixture, such as the colourful symmetrical floor tiles, ornate archway carvings, and vintage Peranakan furnishings.
Address: 53, Lebuh Noordin, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-263 7125
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion, was built in the 19th century by businessman and politician Cheong Fatt Tze. Previously a home for Fatt Tze’s family and a base for his commercial enterprises, it is now a beautifully restored historical attraction with daily guided tours as well as one of George Town’s most iconic boutique hotels. The hotel seamlessly melds Chinese and Western architecture with decorations from the ‘50s and Fatt Tze’s family’s precious private collection. Fun fact: the hotel made its glitzy appearance in the film “Crazy Rich Asians”!
Address: 14, Lebuh Leith, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-262 0006
Jawi Peranakan Mansion
Jawi Peranakan Mansion boasts an eclectic mix of 18th to 19th century British architecture, Islamic design elements from the Mughal times, and Indian ethnic motifs. It took three years for hotelier Chris Ong to restore the building in 2012, which guests today can experience the original features of the mansion’s lime plaster walls, wood lattices, plantation shutters, cornices, architraves, Doric columns and Adam’s wheel window arches. The hotel consists of 8 Mansion rooms and 6 family suites finished and furnished with these Ango-Indian features.
Address: 153, Jalan Hutton, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-218 9858
Yeng Keng Hotel
Built in the 1800s, Yeng Keng Hotel is a restored Anglo-Indian bungalow residence. Located in one of the oldest surviving and intact 19th century buildings, the hotel represents a stunning blast from the past, featuring joyful vintage rattan-woven furniture, wooden panel floors, expansive Persian rugs, and a vibrant colour scheme. There are three rooms to explore for a perfect blend of Asian heritage and modern comfort: Courtyard Room, Chulia Suite, and Yeng Keng Suite.
Address: World Heritage, 362 & 366, Lbh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-262 2177
