Uncovering the beauty and surprises of Penang is one of
Malaysia's must do's. There you'll find beautiful, accessible
beaches dotted with luxurious family-friendly resorts, Georgetown's
UNESCO World Heritage Site colonial mystique and some of Malaysia's
best food. All of which delivers a holiday experience rich in
history, culture and relaxation.
Let's begin with food, as it's sure to be one of the highlights
of your time in Penang. Even Malaysians acknowledge that the range
and quality of the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian hawker food in
Penang, and particularly Georgetown, is as good as it gets. It's
been drawing global gastronomes to its fresh ingredients and heady
aromas for decades. The renowned specialities curry mee and shaved
ice bean desserts are just two sought-after favourites. To learn
more about the flavours behind Penang's amazing food, a visit to
the beautiful Tropical Spice Garden shows spices in their natural
form in a beautiful garden setting.
The
capital Georgetown is a magnificent example of colonial-era
architecture and design. With its carefully maintained public and
private buildings, it's an open-air museum from another era that
can be explored from the comfort of your very own pedal-powered
trishaw. There's always something on, whether it's the Batu
Ferringhi Night Market or a guided walking tour around the quaint
streets.
The real beauty of Georgetown is that its history is alive. The
Spice Market down by the wharf encapsulates it perfectly - it's
been trading in spices from around the world since the
18th century, and continues to do so today.
Hotel of the month
The Straits Collection is an eclectic mix of Retail, Restaurants and Residences, over two separate rows of heritage Chinese Shop Houses.
One row of 5 houses, built in 1927, is behind the Goddess of Mercy temple in Stewart Lane. The other 4 houses are located at the start of the heritage walk in Armenian Street. The 5 minute walk between the two follows Harmony Street where one can find a Chinese Temple, Indian Temple, Islamic Mosque & Christian Church.
The Straits Collection
47 to 55 Stewart Lane - Georgetown 10200 Penang - Malaysia
89 to 95 Armenian Street - Georgetown 10200 Penang - Malaysia