Museum Hotel
Midrange Heritage in a quiet street
More on Penang
From the original Peranakan tiles lining the arched five-foot-way to the ornate gilt carved Chinese screen and huge antique British coat-of-arms in the vast lobby, and even the name, suggests you may be in for a bit of a treat at the Museum Hotel.
Travelfish says:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact details for Museum Hotel
Address: 76 Jalan A S Mansoor, Georgetown
T: (0422) 66 668; (0422) 63 546;
Email: info@museumhotel.com.my
Web: http://www.museumhotel.com.my/
Coordinates (for GPS): 100º19'46.2" E, 5º25'16.93" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 250 to 500 ringgit
Room rates
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
| Standard single room | 140 ringgit | 375 ringgit |
| Standard double room | 195 ringgit | 450 ringgit |
| Deluxe double room Art Deco suite | 308 ringgit | 705 ringgit |
| Family room | 289 ringgit | 720 ringgit |
Reviewed by
Sally Arnold
Sally spent twelve years leading tourists around Indonesia and Malaysia where she collected a lot of stuff. She once carried a 40kg rug overland across Java. Her house has been described as a cross between a museum and a library. Fuelled by coffee, she can often be found riding her bike or petting stray cats. Sally believes travel is the key to world peace.