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Once the digs of Georgetown’s “Rockefeller of the East” this opulent and elegant boutique hotel is one of the city’s finest. Rooms are housed in a separate annex to the main museum, over two floors that open to an exclusive courtyard, so you won’t have the hordes traipsing though your private space during the daily tours, and once they’re left you have the run of the house.

This should do nicely. Photo: Sally Arnold

Voluminous rooms are full of delights with lofty ceilings, some with intricately embellish gilt Chinese screens and others with more quirky elements such as an old stove—each is unique and has its own story to tell. Much of the antique furnishings and art comes from the collections inherited from the family of Cheong Fatt Tze and luxurious amenities ensure modern comforts against this backdrop of historical splendour.

A handful of rooms offer direct access to the Chinese Landscape garden and swimming pool but due to the heritage restrictions, the smallish pool is not built-in, but raised and surrounded by wooden decking, however it’s still a welcome addition for a refreshing splash on a hot day. A couple of sun lounges grace the deck (be quick), but the whole area is quite exposed, and you’ll want to slap on the sunscreen.

Fancy a dip? Photo: Sally Arnold

Breakfast is included in the rate, served in the beautiful inner courtyard and you can enjoy an aperitif and watch the sun set from the bedroom balcony of the tycoon himself, and you may also care to indulge in some fine dining at the mansion’s Indigo Restaurant.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is certainly an impressive address, the only negative of this wonderful hotel is that it can get very noisy from the hawker centre next door, unfortunately you can’t choose you neighbours.

Relax well away from the hordes. Photo: Sally Arnold

If your budget isn’t quite at Rockefeller standards, you could join one of the daily tours and perhaps choose to stay at one of Penang’s more affordable heritage hotels such as Ren I Tang or Cintra Heritage House.