The George, a beautiful city hotel evoking the heritage of colonial Penang, is now part of The Crest Collection under Malaysia’s growing Ascott group of hotels.

The George, in the heart of the heritage district in Penang’s George Town, is a relatively new hotel, but it was not only inspired by the island’s colonial heritage, it was built in accordance with the rules and regulations governing heritage properties, adhering to the guidelines set forth by UNESCO.

We recently visited the elegant property and found a lot to like, not least the fusion of heritage aesthetics with more modern design and construction and five-star conveniences. Simply put, The George is one of Penang’s most winning, appealing boutique properties, and it’s now been brought under the group that includes The Ascott, Citadines, and several other brands, to become The George Penang by The Crest Collection.

This charming six-floor city hotel offers guests 92 tastefully furnished rooms and suites. All of them have contemporary facilities and amenities, which are thoughtfully designed to exude good taste and luxury. The steam rooms, gym, and a long, fully covered saltwater swimming pool with indoor landscaping are added benefits for guests. An additional specialty of the hotel is its multi-cuisine restaurant, Saffron Dining, where meals are enjoyed in a venue with a lovely ambiance.

We stayed in one of the Governor Suite rooms, and absolutely loved it, not least for its beautiful balcony overlooking the always-thriving street scene below. The room’s design was so elegant and we really appreciated the well-coordinated colour scheme, too! It should be noted, however, that despite the name, the Governor Suites are rooms — not suites. Proper suites are available at The George, of course, but this is just a very nicely appointed room.

The hotel’s location could hardly be any better, either. The George stands as an iconic monument in the heart of George Town, Penang, gracefully positioned at the intersection of four historic streets: Penang Road, Leith Street, Chulia Street, and Argyll Road. Its location bears witness to Penang Island’s rich tapestry of history. In bygone eras, it proudly served as the distinguished Australian Hotel and Teik Bin Chinese Dispensary.

Just opposite the hotel, Argyll Road held a special place in the vibrant tapestry of Little India, catering to the local Indian community. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Odeon Cinema regaled countless generations during the golden age of film in Penang.

The George’s strategic location and its timeless architectural allure have already made it a favourite among photographers and visitors alike. It stands as an enduring testament to George Town’s captivating past and continues to be a symbol of the city’s charm and character.

We loved our time at The George and the hotel has quickly taken its place among our favourite upmarket Penang properties. We are certainly looking forward to seeing how the new management and its prominent placement under The Crest Collection helps to make this lovely property even better.

TEG MINGLE AT THE GEORGE

If you haven’t dropped by The George yet, we are working on a terrific opportunity… together with the hotel’s management, TEG Media will soon be hosting a fun Penang Mingle at the inviting bar on the ground floor at the hotel. Stay tuned for the date and details on this social and professional networking event that’s sure to be a great time, and a perfect introduction to one of George Town’s most elegant and charming hotels, The George.