The Yum List: <b>Hotel</b> Penaga, George Town, Penang, <b>Malaysia</b> - Hotel in Malaysia Blog |
| The Yum List: <b>Hotel</b> Penaga, George Town, Penang, <b>Malaysia</b> Posted: 08 May 2014 04:00 PM PDT Hotel Penaga -The Arts, Greenery and Comfort, All in One Beautifully Restored Heritage PropertyA Green Surprise in George Town The grounds of Hotel Penaga are a refreshing surprise amidst the sultry concreted George Town centre. Three beautifully restored heritage buildings comprise the block and in between the structures are stoned pathways lined with lush gardens. It's a breath of fresh air (literally) to see so much green making both a pleasurable start to the day and a very welcome respite after hours of traipsing the streets exploring the UNESCO and culinary sites within walking distance of the hotel.
Owners clearly value the natural environment and a number of programs and awards support their efforts. Solar panels generate both power and heat water. A rainwater tank captures roof runoff and, the kitchen separates organic waste for composting. Recycled materials, salvaged from demolished buildings, were used wherever possible to restore the structure. The garden too is thoughtfully landscaped using mostly indigenous plants and is designed to reduce heat and glare. These and other actions earned Hotel Penaga a Gold rating by the Green Building Index, the first for a heritage restoration in Malaysia.
Artistic Inspiration One of a few, if not the only hotel on the island, that supports an "artist in residence" program, rooms and common areas are filled with tasteful artworks from masters from around the world. Paintings, photographs, sculptures and mixed media pieces fit seamlessly into the setting inspiring guests with their diversity and messages for the world.
Heritage and Comfort Clarke Terraces Three room categories are offered in a trio of buildings. The Clarke Terraces are ideal for families or groups. Multiple bedrooms with ensuites, a large living area and courtyard, and well-equipped kitchenette make the stay very comfortable.
Transfer Suites Honeymooners will appreciate the eight Transfer Suites, especially the four with balconies and views to Penang Hill. A generous 60 – 70 square metres of space allows for a sitting room, bathroom with Jacuzzi and separate shower, and a large bedroom with a timber four-poster bed.
Hutton Rooms Our room, in the Hutton building is a decent 40 square metres and extends the most affordable rates. A balcony tiled with heritage ceramics is just big enough for a coffee table and two chairs. A roofscape, broken up with green foliage, is the view.
Dark wood frames the doors and windows, with stained glass letting in colourful rays of light. The lounge features restored timber floors and reconstructed Chinese antique furniture. Cable TV, a mini-bar, safe, complimentary Internet and, tea and coffee making facilities (standard tea bags and instant coffee) add comfort.
A set of stairs leads to the loft where comfortable beds, bedside tables and lamps make up the bedroom. Linens and the mattress are snug encouraging peaceful dreams.
Although the bathroom maintains its distinct heritage feel with antique furniture and dark wood paneling, modern conveniences are integrated seamlessly to provide a very comfortable bathing experience. A corner Jacuzzi sports powerful jets and the shower pressure too is strong - there's no wait for hot water to run through the pipes.
It's a beautiful space and we feel that even while sleeping, we're living the sites of Penang. The experience might only be bettered with a personalized welcome, such as a pot of tea or local treat.
Breakfast Breakfast is included in most packages and is served in the very pleasant atmosphere of Cinnamon Restaurant. Black wood and maroon cushioned chairs seat cream marble tables. White china and napkins and a single flower vase dressing the tables and uniformed waiters give the space a feel of elegance of the past. Taking full advantage of their green surrounds, a wall of folding windows open up to the lap pool, which borders the restaurant and gardens across from it. It's hard to believe we're in the middle of George Town.
The morning spread is a simple offering of mostly Western flavours. Fresh fruits, pastries and breads, cereals and a number of hot dishes including the usual fry up of mushrooms, sausages and tomatoes, some rice and noodles, are on the buffet. Eggs are made to order and coffee and tea is brought to the table. It's simple, but enough to begin the day well.
Other Food and Beverage Cinnamon Restaurant is opened throughout the day for a la carte meals and, the Tanglung Bar and Library Lounge serves a range of mixed drinks, wine and beer. We try their Penaga Punch, a mix of gin and tropical juices, garnished with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherry. It's sweet and refreshing, a welcome respite from the afternoon heat.
Relaxation A lap pool is filled with salt water, reducing the amount of chemicals used in the hotel, and is lined with garden chairs and umbrellas and, headed with a sun deck. It is a popular place for relaxation throughout our visit, with ladies catching some rays and taking a break from seeing the sites mid morning and afternoon.
The Penaga Spa by Tanamera is located in the gardens of the hotel. An airy patio holds the reception area, which benefits from the natural green surrounds and lovely art pieces by a number of the resident artists Hotel Penaga has hosted over the years. One of the earliest artworks is a feature wall, a mosaic of broken tiles, stones and ceramics that provides an inspirational backdrop to the entrance. Round stained glass windows filter the outdoor light leaving muted hues in the treatment rooms. Three double rooms are fully equipped with a separate changing room including shower, sauna and toilet. All rooms have a claw foot bathtub, which is a wonderful thing to soak in after a body treatment.
Indigenous plants from the region are used as the primary ingredients in their spa products, which feel natural and unprocessed. I partake in a Warming Massage (60 minutes RM175), which combines a dry scrub and massage into one session and, Hubby tries the Malay Traditional Massage (60 minutes RM140). Our therapists are gentle sweet ladies, best suited for those who prefer a light to medium strength massage. We'd definitely stay at Hotel Penaga again. We appreciated the greenery, artwork and beautiful heritage restoration. Added benefits of a spa, hotel restaurant and bar, and salt water filled lap pool are appealing bonuses. Reasons to visit: a beautiful heritage building in the heart of George Town; a green garden haven rare to find in the town centre; artworks everywhere; great location; a Gold rating by the Green Building Index. Hotel Penaga Corner of Jalan Hutton and Lebuh Clarke 10050 George Town Penang Malaysia 1300 88 1891 +6 04 261 1891  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penaga Spa, <b>Hotel</b> Penaga, George Town, Penang, <b>Malaysia</b> Posted: 06 May 2014 04:00 PM PDT
The Penaga Spa by Tanamera is located in the gardens of the Penaga Hotel. An airy patio holds the reception area, which benefits from the natural green surrounds and lovely art pieces by a number of the resident artists the hotel has hosted over the years. One of the earliest artworks is a feature wall, a mosaic of broken tiles, stones and ceramics that provides an inspirational backdrop to the entrance. Round stained glass windows filter the outdoor light leaving muted hues in the treatment rooms.
We're greeted with a cool peppermint towel and hot hibiscus tea as we meet our therapists and fill out a questionnaire highlighting our areas of need, any injuries or special considerations. It's here too where we choose an aromatherapy oil of our liking. Herbal, ginger, coconut, coffee and basil are all options, but we both find the tropical scent of coconut the most alluring. Indigenous plants from the region are used as the primary ingredients in Tanamera's spa products, which feel natural and unprocessed.
Three double rooms are fully equipped with a separate changing room including shower, sauna and toilet. All rooms have a claw foot bathtub, which is a wonderful thing to soak in after a body treatment.
I partake in a Warming Massage (60 minutes RM175), which combines a dry scrub and massage into one session. Tanamera's powder is adapted from the principles of Ayurvedic udsadana and features turmeric, ginger and rice powder as the main components. As it's a dry application is helps to warm the skin and is not the sticky gooey mess I often find is the case with wet body scrubs. It's claimed to increase circulation and have detoxifying properties, which in turn leave the skin feeling silky soft and reduce cellulite. It's such a relaxing setting I nod off a couple of times during the scrub down. A rose petal and jasmine flower bath finishes the session and slices of fresh lime are given to help remove excess scrub.
Hubby tries the Malay Traditional Massage (60 minutes RM140), which is a nice change from the common Balinese and Thai massages offered everywhere else. It celebrates the traditional Malay techniques of stretching, stepping, long kneading strokes and pressure applied to various parts of the body. Hubby also receives a 30 minute Body Compress, which is complimentary when you book a 60 minute massage (until May 31, 2014). Mangosteen peel, various roots, lemon grass, kaffir lime peel and galangal not only emit a refreshing aroma, but too discharge their natural oils leaving the skin lightly moisturized after the treatment. Our therapists are gentle sweet ladies, best suited for those who prefer a light to medium strength massage.
Penaga Spa by Tanamera is in a lovely location and a treatment here is a great option when you need a break from the mid afternoon heat, or to relax after a hot day of sightseeing.
Reasons to visit:green, heritage setting conveniently located in the heart of George Town; relaxing treatments offering a good activity to break up walking the streets of the town. * For the months of May and June, The Spa at Hotel Penaga is offering some great deals in celebration of mothers and fathers. Check out their website or give them a call for details. The Spa at Hotel Penaga Corner of Jalan Hutton and Lebuh Clarke 10050 George Town Penang, Malaysia +6 04 261 1891 ext. 8017 +6 010 288 2554 |
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