With its long history and rich culture, it’s no surprise that George Town draws tourists by the busloads. The whole city is oozing with old-school vibes, with heritage buildings right around every corner.
Aside from looking pretty, did you know many of these heritage buildings are still being used to this day? Not only that, but you can stay at quite a few of them. Heritage hotels are plentiful in George Town, and here are just a few of the best places to stay:
- Cheong Fatt Tze
Image Credit: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Also known as The Blue Mansion due to its exterior’s hues, Cheong Fatt Tze is possibly the most iconic of heritage hotels in Penang. This 111-year-old mansion is named after the Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze, because he funded its construction.
The design is typical of classic Chinese mansions of that time. This includes the English-inspired stained glass windows as well as Cantonese timber lattices. Today, the building houses 18 boutique rooms and five courtyards.
Tourists are welcome to tour the place and explore its history. Some people may also recognise Cheong Fatt Tze as where the famous mahjong scene from “Crazy Rich Asians”, with Constance Wu and Michelle Yeoh, was filmed.
Address: 14, Lebuh Leith, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Macalister Mansion
Image Credit: Sean Khing NG on Google Review (Left), Ian Oglesby on Google Review (Right)
If you ever wanted to rent out a whole palace for your dream wedding, Macalister Mansion is up for the task. This mansion is over 100 years old and has an old-world classiness and top-tier luxury that is hard to beat.
It looks, feels and is impressive indeed, with the building’s original design being complemented by modern comforts. You can stay in one of the eight rooms here, each with its individual design. And if you require a drink, the mansion’s bar has over 300 wine labels for you to choose from.
Address: 228, Jln Macalister, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Noordin Mews
Image Credit: JinWen on Google Review (Left), Noordin Mews on Google Review (Right)
Tucked away within a row of meticulously restored 1920s Peranakan shophouses, this boutique heritage hotel once housed the servants of rich families nearby. The street was a lively entertainment district in the 50s and 60s, and the hotel reflects this history.
Guests can stay in one of the hotel’s 16 uniquely designed rooms and units, each adorned with old-school tiles, polished wooden flooring and antiques from the 1950s. It is a nostalgia overload, but the hotel does have modern amenities to ensure a comfy and enjoyable stay.
Address: 53, Lebuh Noordin, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- The Edison
Image Credit: Joe Nagawa on Google Review (Left), The Edison on Google Review (Right)
Built in 1906 as a tycoon’s private home, The Edison shows how grand things were in the past. If you ever want to feel like a tycoon back in the golden days of Penang, this is the place for you to stay.
Guests can choose between the Deluxe, the Deluxe Premium, and the Suite. These rooms are all elegantly comfortable. Also, The Edison offers a personal concierge and a pre-dinner wine discovery at The Lounge. What a way to feel fancy!
Address: 15, Lebuh Leith, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Campbell House Penang
Image Credit: Teresa Ong on Google Review (Left), Campbell House on Google Review (Right)
Campbell House Penang is housed in a Straits-Chinese building dating back to 1903. In 2007, a husband and wife team bought over the place and carefully restored it, keeping original features like the wooden floorboards and arches.
Known for its great service and elegant design, this boutique hotel has rooms decorated with furnishings inspired by colonial and local influences. A warm colour palette is part of the cosy atmosphere, which you will likely love.
Address: 106, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Jawi Peranakan Mansion
Image Credit: Rahaya Mat Nah on Google Review (Left), Jawi Peranakan Mansion on Google Review (Right)
If you want to know what a building would look like with British and Indian architecture, the Jawi Peranakan Mansion is a living example. This building took three years of restoration, with its original features preserved to keep it authentic.
The mansion has just eight rooms and six suites for guests, but this just means every stay here is a private one. Previously, this house used to be part of the Malay Millionaires’ Row, and the look of the place really shows that even today.
Address: 153, Jalan Hutton, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Chulia Heritage Hotel
Image Credit: Renu Wilson on Google Review (Left), Chulia Heritage Hotel on Google Review (Right)
A charming century-old mansion in the centre of George Town serves as the home for this 45-room hotel. When guests make their way to the entrance, they pass through a long, curved driveway, marking the start of a wonderful vacation.
The interiors have a clean, modern white theme, and the rooms offer guests a comfy place to rest after a day exploring the city. With its many rooms, this hotel is appropriate for tour groups. Its central location also helps, as you can get around town very easily.
Address: 380, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
- 23 LoveLane
Image Credit: Azli Umar on Google Review (Left), Heart Patrick on Google Review (Right)
Unlike the other hotels on this list, this boutique hotel is not a single building but a group of them. Different periods saw the construction of these buildings, with the oldest dating back to the 1800s. The main building used to house a wealthy family and still has a homely vibe.
The living quarters are in four separate wings, including the Anglo Indian Bungalow, Indian Shop House, Straits Eclectic Building and 1920s Jack Roof Annexe. Plus, there are also extra suites in the surrounding area’s pre-war shophouses.
Address: 23, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- East Indies Mansion
Image Credit: East Indies on Google Review (Left), Bo-Jun Kee on Google Review (Right)
This mansion used to belong to Koh Lay Huan, the first Kapitan Cina of Penang. At one point, plans were in place to demolish the building, and only the efforts of local conservationists saved it from an unceremonious fate.
After years of restoration, the mansion now houses ten individually designed rooms. Each comes with the usual modern comforts. Distinct to this place are the Fujian-style courtyards, which act as skywells that still work as they did back in the day.
Address: 25, Lebuh China, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
You should also check out: The oldest hotel in Malaysia was opened in Penang in 1885 & here’s how it’s holding up in 2025
Feature Image Credit: The Blue Mansion Tour on Google Review (Left), Warner Bros (Right)