A New Take on Victorian in Penang, Malaysia

Date 21 June 2019

What does modern heritage look like? Opening in October 2019, The Prestige Hotel in the heart of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang, is a modern interpretation of Victorian design layered with the art of illusion and lush local flora. Dreamt up by the highly creative and award-winning team at Ministry of Design, the interiors surprise guests right from the ground-floor arcade where an envelope of Victorian-style mullions ensure that retail and dining spaces pop in and out, and indoor alfresco areas with verdant landscaping, rattan furniture, and plenty of natural light recall the area’s strong colonial influence.

The idea of illusion plays out in whimsical room features such as levitating beds and side tables, and secret doors that reveal toilet cubicles and pantries.

The design studio also found innovative solutions to structural challenges such as long room corridors where rotating lights project an intricate lattice pattern to animate the journey. Drawing on Penang island’s rich tropical bounty, the rooftop infinity pool comes alive with floral mosaic, the bathrooms feature botanical wallpapers, and plants are a green respite in all the public spaces.

Nestled between the landmark-lined banking district of Beach Street and the Weld Quay area, the 162-room property is only minutes away from major historic sites as well as art, culture, and dining options along the Heritage Trail of Penang. The island is undeniably the food mecca of Malaysia but guests at The Prestige Hotel need only head to the arcade or the lush greenery of the outdoor Glasshouse to explore this culinary paradise.