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This beautifully restored midrange hotel is located on a quiet street with little traffic noise about 500 metres north of Jalan Penang, a little outside the main tourist zone, but easy walking distance. Climb the gorgeous spiral wooden stairs (or use the lift) to the rooms located above the lobby and the equally enormous marble lounge. Dotted around the halls, little nooks of museum-like collections feature family photos and antiques.

Easy to find. Photo: Sally Arnold

Lodgings range from cosy singles to large suites with interiors painted in rich heritage tones with high ceilings, warm timber floors and contrasting dark wooden shuttered window panels, although in the twin and single rooms they face a narrow internal lightwell and can’t be opened. Some of the room layouts are a little quirky due to the heritage nature of the building, with L-shaped rooms and mezzanines, but not quirky enough to cause any surprises.

Rooms are tastefully decorated with period furniture including a desk and seating in some rooms and ornamental touches such as old bakelite telephones and brass switches. Beds are comfortable and inviting with plush feather pillows and cosy quilts. Note that in the twin rooms the beds can’t be pushed together, so if you’d prefer a double bed, book a double. Air-con, ceiling fans, TV, minibar, tea-making facilities and safe are all standard, and suites up the ante adding extras such as gym equipment.

Open the shutters for more light. Photo: Sally Arnold

Luxurious marble ensuite bathrooms are outfitted with heritage style amenities and hot showers, adding a bath tub in the suites and some twin rooms and family rooms enjoy double showers, great for getting slow kids out the door to explore.

Breakfast is included in some rates, and served in the breezy open-stye lounge where marble-topped tables, potted plants and a piano evoke a time when life was perhaps a little slower, so take your time and relax. Staff are charming too, all adding up to a very good offer.

The five-foot-way. Photo: Sally Arnold

As with most heritage buildings, Museum Hotel tends to suffer a little noise from the creaking wooden floors exacerbated by stomping guests (don’t be that guest). Booking direct with Museum Hotel seemed to offer the best rates, but shop around for a deal as we found vast differences in prices for the same rooms at this hotel and the lower end rates make for an excellent midrange choice. Rates jump steeply in high season—shop around.