Macalister Mansion
STORIES

Glorious History,
Splendorous Address

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THE BRAND

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Macalister Mansion, a sophisticated destination for relaxation, leisure and pleasure is inspired by Sir Norman Macalister, the British Governor of Penang from year 1808 to 1810. It serves as a homage to Penang’s rich colonial past.

This exquisitely restored boutique hotel has the makings of a truly memorable stay – resplendent rooms, fabulous facilities as well as a phenomenal range of food and drinks.

Restored in 2012, this treasure trove is proud to be the first member of Design Hotels in Malaysia.

It reinvents the notion of a modern-day luxury retreat in its rooms, dining, bar, and mosaic lap pool attached to a “swim-up” bar offering personalised service and gourmet food and drinks for an unrivalled experience.

The Mansion creatively captures the nostalgia of the past and present hospitality, featuring bespoke artworks and fixtures, topped with impeccable service.

CHRONOLOGY

From Inception
To Success

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Year 1880

Built in 1880, the mansion was owned by an Indian moneylender (known as ‘chettiar’).

Late 1890s

China-born Hokkien property tycoon Choong Lye Hock bought the mansion (No. 228 Macalister Road) where he lived with his family and mother, along with a retinue of staff including gardeners, cooks and 20 servants from China. The mansion had 41 rooms, with approximately five stairways including an ornate spiral staircase that led to a watchtower on the third floor.

Early 1900

Choong Lye Hock installed four gold-plated eagle statues that loyally stood guard at the gates. There are only 10 such eagles in Penang.

The 1900s

In year 1960, Choong Lye Hock passed away and left the mansion to his two sons. Eng Hye bought over Eng Kim’s share. They leased it out as an office to the Consumers Association of Penang for about 10 years, followed by the Arredo furniture showroom and Crystal Brides, a bridal house.

Year 2010

A local businessman Datuk Sean H’ng and his wife Datin Karen H’ng undertook the restoration project measuring 48,943 sq ft as part of their corporate responsibility initiative project to demonstrate that old colonial buildings can be regenerated into functional and practical spaces with a contemporary feel. The planning and restoration work for the 17,286 sq ft mansion took about 20 months.

Year 2011

The launch of Macalister Mansion was in the works. H’ng appointed architect Colin Seah from Ministry of Design (MOD), a Singapore-based interior design company to produce breathtaking interior designs. The design process spanned eight months, followed by a 12-month period to restore and reinforce the original columns, staircase and archways, original brick walls and wall cornices.

Year 2012

Macalister Mansion was opened to the public in April 2012. It is proud to be the first hotel in Malaysia to make the cut and be part of Design Hotels. Its name honours Sir Norman Macalister, one of Penang’s first British Governors from 1808 to 1810. The mansion comprises eight delicately designed guest rooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Bagan Bar, The Den, and The Lawn.

Year 2015

The refurbishment and upgrading of the eight rooms were constantly carried out to enhance the guests’ experience and ensure their comfort as well as keeping the amenities and facilities well maintained.

Year 2019

The new facelift of the Dining Room involved rebranding. The Restaurant Blanc Penang was launched in mid-June, flaunting a hint of captivating sapphire blue for the interior. The iconic white foliage centrepiece and the deep blue velvet banquette still remained to encapsulate the elegance of the setting. The restaurant stepped up to raise the bar for Penang’s fine dining scene with its contemporary French cuisine as well as the wine it offers for food pairing and cooking.

Year 2020

This year marked the remarkable facelift of the eight rooms and lobby, along with the unveiling of the new function room and poolside garden.

PROMISES

Upholding Our Principles

At Macalister Mansion, we steadfastly adhere to our core principles in our day-to-day operations while going above and beyond to ensure our guests' satisfaction.

SUSTAINABILITY

Preserving the heritage elements of the mansion lies at the heart of our sustainability efforts. In line with this, we support local artisans and trades as well as exercising various recycling and upcycling initiatives which include using sustainably sourced materials for our room services and F&B outlets.

EFFICIENCY

From the moment guests step in, they will be on the receiving end of efficient and exceptional services. Our highly trained and friendly staff are dedicated to ensuring all their needs, preferences and queries are taken care of.

PERSONAL TOUCH

Every guest matters to us. That's why we take pride in warmly greeting our guests by name to make them feel welcome.

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HERITAGE

Preserving Heritage With Care

Since George Town gained UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) status in 2008, more than RM46.3mil has been allocated to restoration work in four major heritage projects. Situated at Macalister Road, the Choong Lye Hock mansion restoration project was undertaken by local businessman Dato’ Sean H’ng and his wife Datin Karen H’ng.

He collaborated with architect Colin Seah from the Ministry of Design, a Singapore-based architectural firm to rehabilitate this building to its former glory by conserving significant architectural details whilst incorporating contemporary design elements.

Various renovation and reparation works were carried out, along with the soundproofing of the windows. Specially commissioned artworks from Malaysia and Southeast Asia were brought in.