George Town is one of Malaysia’s most attractive tourist destinations, with many hotels nestled in its classy, antiquated buildings.
These heritage hotels offer a unique experience to guests, who can enjoy creature comforts while staying in period-authentic quarters.
Need a guide to which hotels to stay at on your next visit? Here are some options to look into.
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Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
No list of George Town’s heritage hotels would be complete without a mention of this historic landmark and luxury accommodation. Easily spotted from street level due to its distinctive royal blue facade, the building is unsurprisingly also sometimes called the Blue Mansion.
Built by the Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze, the mansion is a superb example of Chinese architecture of the time, featuring open-air courtyards and stained glass windows. Little wonder the blockbuster film Crazy Rich Asians filmed a particularly iconic scene here, with Michelle Yeoh and Constance Wu specifically.
If you would like to indulge a night here, be prepared to spend about RM600 for a room.
Macalister Mansion
Hate jostling with fellow guests during the morning buffet rush? This hotel has just eight rooms, meaning you will largely have free rein within this century-old mansion. Named after a British lieutenant-governor of Penang, the mansion began its life as the residence of an Indian moneylender, before being sold to a Penang Peranakan family.
It would be transformed into a hotel in the 2010s, with an extensive renovation taking place in 2020 to give it its current classy appearance. Each room is individually designed, featuring different coloured marbles, lush carpets and other top-tier luxuries.
Staying here will set you back about RM700, but it is a worthwhile experience.
The Edison
Ever fancied the tycoon life? The Edison might just scratch that itch for you, as it once served as the family residence for a wealthy tycoon. These days, the Anglo-Colonial mansion houses guests with an impressive amount of elegance and charm.
The hotel has 35 guest rooms, each well curated to welcome guests tired after a day of exploring the city. Additionally, the hotel is perfect for guests coming along with little ones, as kids aged between three and ten stay for free!
So, stuff the kids into the backseat and expect to fork out about RM550 for a night here.
Jawi Peranakan Mansion
Did you know that other than the Chinese Peranakan community, Penang is also home to the Jawi Peranakan people, who have mixed South Asian and Malay ancestry.
Some elements of their culture can be seen via the Jawi Peranakan Mansion, a heritage building which took three years of restoration before its launch as a hotel.
At present, it has just 12 well-designed rooms, adorned with traditional decor, but equipped with modern amenities.
Not to be missed is the hotel’s outdoor pool, which plays the part of an alluring oasis with its lush greenery and grand views of the mansion’s facade.
Tempted to take a dip? A night here will cost you about RM320.
Campbell House
Turning a crumbling building into a fine hotel sounds like a dream project, but that summarises the rebirth of Campbell House back in 2007. The Straits Chinese building, which has stood since 1903, was bought over by a husband-wife team that carefully restored the place to its former glory.
While the ground floor is occupied by an Italian restaurant, the two storeys above host 12 guest rooms, some of which come with private balconies. Each room comes with furnishings that ooze authenticity, taking pages out of colonial and local decor, all while being well-equipped to keep you comfy and cozy.
Located just 1km away from the city centre, a night’s stay here sets you back by about RM500.
Noordin Mews
Once serving as servant quarters, Noordin Mews now houses guests wishing to enjoy a charming stay in one of Penang’s quaintest heritage hotels. The hotel boasts 16 gorgeous rooms, each having its own style and charm, with even the smaller options being temptingly cosy.
Just think of waltzing across old-school tiles, polished wooden floors and you get the idea of why staying here feels like stepping back in time to the 1950s. Additionally, the hotel also allows guests below the age of five to stay for free, making it a perfect stay for guests with infants.
A stay here will cost you about RM950. Oh, and the hotel is pet-friendly, with two pets per room allowed!