Straits Collection
Penang, Malaysia
Live like the locals, only better, in gorgeous restored shophouses in the heart of historic Georgetown
Straits Collection is a deceptively informal operation: in fact,
meticulous care has been taken to make you feel at home. The heart
of the hotel is a row of beautiful 200-year-old Chinese shophouses
with a cool covered walkway, tucked away on Armenian Street near
temples and museums. The friendly Little Kopi café
takes up the corner, and above it is a small art gallery where the
resident dog likes to sprawl out (much of the profit goes to an
animal shelter on Langkawi).
Each of the 4 shophouses contains a different guest suite
with 1 or 2 bedrooms and a living space. These are some of the best
conversions in Unesco-listed Georgetown - a beautiful adaptation of
Penang heritage, with plenty of contemporary colour and Chinese
antiques. Australian owners Alison and Narelle preserved what time
has done to the buildings - the worn doors and floors, the
interesting coats of paint, the adaptations to new purposes - and
let them dictate what additions could be made. Best of all,
there’s no hectoring about the ‘environment’, no
make-sure-to-do-this and don’t-touch-that; simply the
assumption that you’re the guest here and you’re a
grown-up. What could be more stylish?
Reviewed by Nicolas Buchele
Last updated 29 February 2012
Highs
- Very spacious and attractive suites with rain showers and flat-screen TVs; good value for money
- Lovely, helpful staff, who provide great suggestions about what to see and do in Penang
- The best location in town, within spitting distance of most important sights such as the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque and St. George's Church
- Tempting cakes at Little Kopi on the corner, and delicious food at Kopi C Espresso Café & Bar nearby, also owned by Alison and Narelle
- Great for families and anyone with an eye for style. Older people and children are made especially welcome
Lows
- No pool, a price you may willingly pay for being surrounded by all this history
- Whoever fixed the cement and plaster wasn’t a master of his craft, but this adds to the time-tempered charm
- Bottle openers are mysteriously missing from the rooms, at the risk of injury to the weak-fisted
- You're in the heart of town, so expect to hear some street noise
- Mosquitoes can be a problem and beds have no nets, but handy repellent is provided
A Vogue-like interior that combines heritage spaces, period antiques and functional but funky design furniture...
New Straits TimesStraits Collection: Read more press reviews
