Penang is an excellent place to visit, both for its rich heritage as well as street food. There’s lot to see, do, eat, and explore. When in Penang, you’ll also want a place to stay, and we have a list of Top 10 Boutique Hotels in Penang here for you to check out!
The results of this Top 10 list is derived from the voting period of 25th November 2021 to 28th November 2021 on Carilocal.com. Over time, the ranking of the businesses as seen on Best Boutique Hotels in Penang may differ from this list.
1) 23 Love Lane
23 Love Lane houses 10 rooms that combined retro and contemporary interiors. The hotel, which is actually refurbished old buildings from the 1800s, includes several facilities such as SteakFrites@23 Restaurant and Lobby Bar. Guests can also chill out at the private garden or read some books and magazines while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee in the Anglo Indian Bungalow’s library lounge. Complimentary WiFi access is also provided in the building.
23lovelane.com | FB: 23LoveLane Hotel | IG: @23lovelanepenang
2) Noordin Mews
Noordin Mews’ 1920s Straits Eclectic shophouse-turned-boutique hotel attracts a lot of local and international visitors since its meticulous restoration. The hotel preserves its early 20th-century architecture as seen in its five-foot ways, old-school symmetrical floor tiles and vintage framed photos. All the rooms are tastefully furnished with a blend of old and new interior styles. Guests can look forward to unwinding in the hotel’s little garden or taking a dip at the courtyard pool.
noordinmews.com | FB: Noordin Mews Heritage Hotel | IG: @noordinmews
3) Macalister Mansion
Once a colonial home built in 1880 before it was meticulously refurbished into a boutique hotel-like mansion and opened to the public in 2012. Macalister Mansion has eight exquisitely-designed, yet spacious rooms, complete with luxurious Simmons BeautyRest king-sized beds. Each room is also well-equipped with amenities like a 55″ smart TV, complimentary TWG teabags and even a Nespresso coffee machine, where you can enjoy a cup of espresso coffee using the Nespresso capsules. And when it comes to its facilities, you can choose to relax and dine at the Guest Lounge or if you love wine, The Cellar would be a great place as they offer over 300 wine labels from around the world.
macalistermansion.com | FB: Macalister Mansion | IG: @Macalister.Mansion
4) The Edison
The Edison has an illustrious history stretching way back to the early 20th century when it was originally a residence built for a tycoon named Yeo Wee Gark. But it wasn’t until after the World War II that the building was subsequently transformed into a hotel establishment between the interval years in the 1940s, 60s and finally 2014. Today, The Edison impresses many guests looking for a luxurious, yet comfortable stay in a heritage building. All rooms are elegantly furnished to posh perfection that combines both traditional and modernity. The Edison also has a lounge, a central courtyard, a pool and a cabana for guests to chill and relax.
theedisonhotels.com | FB: The Edison George Town, Penang | IG: @theedisongeorgetown
5) Museum Hotel
Here’s a boutique hotel located on a quiet street outside the city centre (George Town), with the old building restored to its original architecture as close as possible. The Museum Hotel has 29 intricately-decorated rooms that are both homey and spacious. Various facilities are also available within the hotel, namely a rooftop terrace as well as a courtyard restaurant and a sake bar. Not to forget their hearty breakfast options, offering the likes of French toast, egg benedict and nasi lemak all served with a hot or cold refreshment.
museumhotel.com.my | FB: MuseuM Hotel Penang | IG: @museumhotelpenang
6) Blue Mansion @ Cheong Fatt Tze
The iconic Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion famously served as one of the picturesque backdrops for the 2018 Hollywood hit, “Crazy Rich Asians”. And the good news is, you can actually stay in this 130-year old heritage mansion while immersing in the well-preserved 19th-century East-meets-West architecture. They have 18 rooms in total, all of which are beautifully furnished with a mix of traditional and modern aesthetics. The rooms are also separated into four different themes, namely The Ming Collection, where guests have direct access to the pool and Oriental garden.
cheongfatttzemansion.com | FB: Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion | IG: @cheongfatttzemansion
7) Carnarvon House
A haven for budget travellers and backpackers, thanks to its affordable price and overall warm hospitality from owner Nicole Ng. Carnarvon House is also known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century Straits Chinese heritage house, retaining the likes of the timber floor and huge woodcarving screen. The location itself is strategic and that means you will have no trouble going from one tourist-friendly attraction to another within a few walking distances, namely Chowrasta Market and KOMTAR.
FB: Carnarvon House 康乐轩 | IG: @carnarvonhouse2830
8) Areca Hotel
Named after the Pinang palm (areca catechu), Areca Hotel spans 12 adjacent shophouses renovated into a boutique hotel while retaining its old-world charm. And interestingly enough, philanthropic landowner Khoo Sian Ewe once owned these pre-war shophouses. The hotel has 48 rooms divided into four different categories including Heritage Loft, Heritage Room, Family Suite and Garden Room. For instance, the Heritage Loft, which is located on the top floor with an A-frame ceiling consists of two cosy super-single beds and essential amenities like a minibar, cable/satellite TV channels and complimentary WiFi access. And if you are hungry, there’s a cafe, which offers local street foods as well as delicious Nyonya and Western cuisines.
arecahotelpenang.com | FB: Areca Hotel Penang | IG: @arecahotelpenang
9) Muntri Grove Hotel
Muntri Grove consists of 10 living quarters all refurbished into hotel rooms, with its retained original architecture ranging from its doors to roof trusses. The rooms are both airy and spacious, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and vintage Teak furniture. Guests can chill out in a private pool or check out some of the hotel’s other facilities such as the oasis outfitted with rattan pods and lush greenery and a tropical garden on the back row.
10) Yeng Keng Hotel
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town, Yeng Keng Hotel is originally an 1800s Anglo-Indian bungalow and now a boutique hotel, all carefully restored to its former glory. In other words, the hotel retains its colonial-era architecture and each room is beautifully furnished with the likes of vintage furniture and rugs. And like most repurposed heritage buildings-turned-boutique hotels, Yeng Keng Hotel integrates some modern touches to the overall interiors as well. They have 19 rooms and suites, complete with amenities from air-conditioning units to flat-screen LCD TV, complimentary WiFi access and coffee & tea-making facilities. Guests can enjoy Hainanese and Western cuisines at the hotel’s cafe & bar and there’s a swimming pool too.
yengkenghotel.com | FB: Yeng Keng Hotel 燕京酒店 | IG: @yengkenghotelpenang
Voting was carried out on Carilocal.com: Best Boutique Hotels in Penang.
