When researching our stay in Penang we decided we wanted to stay at a
boutique hotel in the Heritage Zone of George Town for two nights.
We
were immediately attracted to the Blue Mansion - A Cheong Fatt Tze
Legacy By Samadhi and UNESCO World Heritage Site with its indigo blue
facade
and lavish decoration.
An added bonus was that the
hotel belongs to Samadhi Retreats. We have already stayed at the Villa
Samadhi in Kuala Lumpur - please see also review - and loved it, so we
thought we would enjoy staying at the Blue Mansion too.
There are
four different room types bookable. Some categories have more rooms,
like the Liang (entrance category) and Han (highest), while the 50's
room and the Tan Room are especially unique, because there is only one
each available.
After much debate we decided to book the Tan
Room. It is located in the former kitchen of the mansion and is also
known as the Old Kitchen Room.
The original stove is used as minibar.
Since we like to cook and eat, we thought it was just the room type for us.
Besides being a hotel with a Cantonese and modern Chinese Restaurant, named after the original owner, it is also a museum.
Guests
can join tours for free daily at 11.00 hours, 14.00 hours and 15.30
hours. Otherwise it costs 16 MYR or ca. 3.30 Euro / ca. 3.75 USD per
person.
The Blue Mansion houses a library and lounge, where films
made at the Blue Mansion (Indochine) or Penang (Anna and the King), are
regularly shown.
Guests can have drinks and aperitifs on the balcony of Cheong Fatt Tze's bedroom daily from 18.00 hours.
We
took a taxi from the Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Batu
Ferringhi to the Blue Mansion. The journey took ca. forty minutes and
was as picturesque as the journey to the Rasa Sayang. Please see also
this and the Feringgi Grill review.
There were a gate and
security guard. The guard asked if we were guests. When we confirmed we
were staying guests heinvited us to go inside. Another couple, not
staying at the Blue Mansion, was a bit surprised we could enter the
hotel, even so there wasn't a guided tour available at the time. It
seems many people aren't aware the Blue Mansion is more than just a
museum.
We were welcomed warmly by the Resident Manager James Lim
and other staff. We received refreshing towels, welcome drinks and
bookmarks with the password for the free Wifi access attached. Checking
in felt more like signing a rent agreement. The Blue Mansion was used as
a lodging establishment for a while, so this harks back to those times.
Our arrival was around an hour before check in and our room wasn't
ready as expected since there are only eighteen rooms. Our luggage was
stored until our return later in the afternoon. To our surprise we
didn't receive the room we booked, but the equivalent to it - the 50's
room. At first we were a bit disappointed, but it turned into a delight.
The room was very large with extremely high ceilings and large windows.
The bed was king sized and comfortable.
There was also a large writing desk, a credenza containing the minibar, a TV, a seating area, vanity table and a wardrobe.
All
the furniture was from the 50's and accordingly smaller than
contemporary ones would be. It was ideal for me, because I normally have
issues hanging or reaching things.
The furniture was mint
green, but it was suitable and in mint vintage condition. The floor was
tiled with honeycomb shaped terracotta tiles. The air condition and fan
made sure the room was always cool.
The TV channels were limited, but we were happy with the Asian Food Channel and BBC World.
The
mini bar was stocked with Belvoir lemonades and ginger beer, Samadhi
water and Carlsberg beer; snacks included vegetable chips, cashew and
pistachio nuts, Kit Kat, Snickers and other knickknacks. The water cost 8
MYR (ca. 1.65 Euro or ca. 1.90 USD), the lemonades were 15 MYR (ca.
3.10 Euro / ca. 3.50 USD) and the beer 13 MYR (ca. 2.70 Euro or ca. 3
USD). The snacks started from 7 MYR (ca. 1.45 Euro or 1.65 USD).
Artwork was a collage of Malaysian stars from the 50's.
The bathroom was large with a Jacuzzi, separate shower, sink, toilet and towel rack.
It was black and white tiled and the bathroom amenities were locally produced and came in porcelain dispensers.
Two
small side tables could be used for your own beauty products and held
also some amenities like mouth wash, cotton wool and a shower cap.
The
Jacuzzi is heated in the early evenings, but if you ask nicely it can
be done earlier or later like in our case, because we were mostly out
and about exploring George Town.
Water pressure and temperature were always good.
The
bathroom door and bolts were a bit own minded. If not locking the door
with one of the bolts on either side it would fall open. When one of us
was locking him or her into the bathroom, the bets were on if the bolt
was going to work or not. Somehow we always managed to release it and
open the door. It was quirky and didn't disturb us.
Every evening turn down was provided with a "sweet dreams message".
Our
red water flask was daily refilled free of charge and there were
personal notes on real leaves left by Mr. James. One read for example
"Dear Ms.... + Mr. ..., sleep is the best meditation, sleep well!
Resident Manager James." There were also white and dark chocolates left
for us.
If we had wanted to we could have sat outside in the
courtyard. Every room had its own - not private, though - coffee table
and two chairs. There were also large day beds in the public areas.
Reading
material in the room was the Penang International Magazine, there was a
also a guide to the Blue Mansion and our "50's Room".
We loved our room and felt right at home. Spending time there was a glimpse into a more recent history.
We
used the laundry service. It was done quicker than expected, same day.
The garments were folded perfectly and sealed in a plastic bag, creating
a pillow. The cost was reasonable too.
Other services provided are walking tours, Tai Chi classes, Trishaw rides and free bicycle rental.
During
our stay we were also advised that there was some renovation work going
on in the right wing of the building, but we never heard anything. In
the future there will be a spa, swimming pool and a Chinese garden.
In
regards to noise a warning for light sleepers: While the room is
peaceful during the day, it can be noisy at night due to the nightclubs
and bars surrounding the hotel. Music and people talking woke me once
each night, but I could settle down within a few minutes again.
We
had breakfast every morning at the main courtyard, which is only used
for this purpose. Breakfast is available all day a la carte whenever
guests wish to partake.
There was a small buffet with a variety
of bread, cereals, jams, butter, cold cuts, fruits and much more. All
hot items and a wide range of juices and smoothies could be ordered a la
carte. We enjoyed the scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, pancakes, the
Malaysian egg set and Morning Detox juice among other things. If you
have the chance try the Kaya - it's out of this world.
On our
full day we took the guided tour of the Blue Mansion after breakfast.
The group was large with around thirty people from around the world. We
had a chat with an Australian. Our tour started punctual. The guide gave
us a biography of Cheong Fatt Tze. Originally he was very poor and came
from Guandong Province in China, moving to Indonesia to have better
chances in life. Cheong Fatt Tze built his empire with rubber, tea and
coffee. Later his investments were far reaching including banking and
railways. The Blue Mansion was his favorite house amongst the many he
owned throughout Asia. He also had eight wives and number five and seven
were his favorites.
Photographs of them can be seen, where breakfast is served in the courtyard.
The
mansion was built according to Feng Shui teachings. The highest energy
point can be found in the main courtyard. Our guide pointed it out.
There was also a Chinese wedding bed. We learned more about Chinese
traditions and where the different materials came from, like Scottish
cast iron columns, the Szechuan screens and the Staffordshire floor
tiles or the porcelain cut and paste shard works, called Teochew "chien
nien". It was highly interesting and brought us our "home" nearer.
On
another occasion we explored areas not accessible for non-guests. One
of the courtyards was especially peaceful with three koi ponds.
One morning we met the true master of the house, a very demanding cat.
She ignored us successfully and headed straight to the back of house. We heard her meowing, but didn't see her.
The
location allowed us to walk everywhere we wanted to go, including the
Eastern & Oriental Hotel, the Love Lane, Church of the Assumption,
St. George's Church, Fort Cornwallis and the Jubilee Clock Tower to
celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
We loved the Blue
Mansion, because of the great heritage, the unique rooms, the
atmosphere, the tour, location and the attentive and friendly staff.
Should
our travels take us to Penang in the future, we would stay at the Blue
Mansion - A Cheong Fatt Tze Legacy by Samadhi for our second time. This
was our second Samadhi Retreats property and yes, we would look forward
to stay with the Samadhi Retreats Group again in our future.
©2015
