Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Penang

The city of Georgetown, in the northeastern part of the island of Penang, was founded in 1786 by Francis Light, an English captain, for the British East India Company and King George III, hence its name. Today, the city is a UNESCO world heritage, and although British traditions have left their mark in the region, other influences worth discovering symbolize the cultural diversity of the city. A great many Chinese people gradually moved here, bringing their own culture with them. Going through the city’s narrow streets in the Chinatown quarter, we find traditional rickshaws commonly in use and shimmering, brightly colored street lamps. A bit further on, there’s Little India, and its typically Bollywood atmosphere, complete with Hindu temples and sari boutiques! The island of Penang is also known for its cuisine with its varied Asian and Indian influences. Tasty, fresh fish and shrimp dishes with noodles as well as curry-spiced meat with rice will delight even the most demanding palates.

A hotel steeped in history

The Blue Mansion hotel in Georgetown, situated in the heart of Penang island, is not the kind of hotel one sees every day. Originally the home of Cheong Fatt Tze, a rich Mandarin who came to Malaysia at the age of 16 without a penny in his pocket, and through perseverance, earned himself a fortune. The house was one of the most beautiful symbols of his success. It was completely renovated in the purest of traditions in order to preserve its authenticity. The building, although a pure product of Chinese architecture, does have both Indian and British influences. The main characteristic of the structure is its blue indigo facades, which gave the building its name.

With five interior courtyards and thirty-eight rooms, the hotel represents a radical change of scene and unparalleled charm. The hotel’s decorations, which reflect traditional luxury, are a feast for the eyes, with Chinese porcelains, exotic wood, precious silks, gold leaf, Scottish wrought iron staircases, delicately carved woodwork and a host of other refined details. Each room has its own special décor, created by renowned local artists, retracing a small part of the country’s history as well that of the building’s founder. They all have modern comforts, and guests have access to a private valet.

Breakfast is served in the outdoor courtyards in the totally feng shui atmosphere which was so dear to Cheong Fatt Tze. There’s a legend that tells of the house being qualified as Feng Shui Perfection by a number of Chinese masters.

It was in this hotel that French film maker, Regis Warnier shot a number of scenes from his 1990s film, “Indochine”, with Catherine Deneuve, awarded the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 1993, and which retraces the life of a French woman living in Indochina in the 1930s.