Words by Ying-Di Yin
Situated between 19th-century Victorian buildings and the dense, multicultural food mecca of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown, stands The Prestige, one of Penang’s newest five-star, luxury hotels. Blending heritage and modernity with a playful twist, The Prestige is an exquisite and spacious hotel that pays homage to magical illusions through its contemporary design.
In 2023, it was honoured with numerous awards including the Global Best Modern Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel in Malaysia, and Best Business Hotel in Malaysia. With 162 rooms, an all-day dining oasis, a charming retail arcade, a 24-hour gym and a stunning rooftop, sea-salted infinity pool, it’s hard to leave and explore the city’s beautiful historical surroundings, despite being only minutes away.
Hotel
Once the site of a large shipping warehouse, the transformation of The Prestige is impressive. Not beholden to restoration restrictions, The Prestige is the result of complete freedom in design. By reinterpreting the idea of luxury, the hotel is creating a distinctive experience for business and leisure visitors. The hotel façade gives a colonial nod but the most alluring difference is what’s inside. Inspired by the magical elements of the 2006 thriller film The Prestige, the hotel has sophisticated architecture and illusionary delights embedded within for visitors to be pleasantly surprised by.
Guests enter via a spacious and welcoming lobby. The hotel offers valet service or you can call for a car via the Grab app (think Uber combined with UberEats, Deliveroo and grocery apps). From the lobby, you enter The Glasshouse, a tropical, light-filled dining space where breakfast and all-day dining are served. On the other end, specialised food and retail options are available, from the American-styled café San Francisco Coffee, to a fine dining experience at Gēn 根 (highly recommend booking!). There is also a convenience store for all of your last-minute needs.
Room
When you exit the golden elevators onto your hotel floor, you enter the first design illusion – a seemingly never-ending corridor, turning an ordinary passage into a delight. There are 162 rooms total, including the original, executive suite, loft suite and the deluxe suite – where we stayed. No matter which room you choose, you won’t miss out on the stylish and contemporary magic touches.
From the sleek design of the plush king-size bed that appears to be levitating, to the cage-like, glass rain shower positioned in the middle of a spacious room, discovery exists at every corner. A hidden door against the muted, grey-toned wall leads you to the toilet, keeping the amenity designs elegant yet amusing, while the toiletries are packaged uniquely to resemble a complete puzzle for you to pick apart or rearrange.
In-room touches include a portable garment steamer, a hairdryer, Nespresso coffee machine and a minibar with daily replenishment in selected rooms. Stunning rose-gold metal frames the open wardrobe and side tables, while soft-toned lighting is concealed throughout, giving the room an avant-garde yet warm experience – the perfect balance of luxury.
Food and drink
Breakfast in the charming, sun-drenched Glasshouse is a buffet of local traditional dishes and international cuisines. Must-tries include Chinese congee or the popular Malay breakfast starter, Nasi Lamak, sourced straight from an early morning hawker stall so you don’t miss out. If you’re on a business trip, The Glasshouse is the perfect location for a business lunch meeting.
Guests are lucky to have Gēn 根 – one of the Top 100 Best Restaurants in Asia (2021) – at their doorstep. Catering to 26 guests only per seating, this hidden oasis of tranquillity and design is a must-do for an elevated fine dining experience. Founder and head chef, Johnson Wong started Gēn 根 to tell the story of Malaysian produce and local foods in a new way. Steeped in creativity, he expertly showcases traditional culture through luxury elegance. Most dishes highlight a local ingredient in at least two interesting forms – the food is surprising, delicious, inventive and pairs beautifully with its fantastic wine list.
San Francisco Coffee is your go-to stop if you’re craving fresh American-style coffee. With a bright and modern interior, it’s a great moment for a quick break in between activities.
To do
The exceptional pool is beautifully positioned to enjoy the modernity of the rooftop whilst looking out at the incredible traditional Penang jetty. To enjoy the serenity, it’s best to come here before the humidity exponentially rises by lunchtime or better yet, have a dip and cool off ahead of dinner. For those on business or who simply wish to keep fit in between the many meals you will have, there is a 24-hour gym.
When venturing outside the hotel, be sure to head to Georgetown, the food mecca of Penang famous for its countless hawker stalls. By simply walking or taking a short Grab ride, you will find an incredible dining spot in less than six minutes. The Prestige is next door to Little India and Penang Street Art and a short walk to the one Michelin-star Peranakan restaurant, Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery. Don’t miss a visit and a cocktail at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion or take a trip into the past at the Clan Jetties in the early morning.
In a nutshell
The Prestige pushes the envelope in design with joy, while providing an accommodating and luxurious experience. It’s perfect for a business trip or if you’re looking for an elegant experience while being steps away from the unique cultural diversity of Penang’s heritage and food.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £101pn for the deluxe room, including breakfast.
Address: 8 Gat Lebuh Gereja, George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 10300
Phone: +60 604 217 5888
Email: reservation@theprestige.com.my
Website: theprestige.my
Hotel photography courtesy of The Prestige Hotel Penang.
