We were delighted to find ourselves at the rustic heritage-y doorsteps of The Edison Georgetown earlier this month. Always have a thing for historical rich, heritage hotel, we could not pass up the opportunity to experience this small luxury hotel for once.

Towing a baby bump around, I was fed with lots of concerns about how I should try to avoid flying overseas. Getting stranded in a foreign country and being treated by a doctor you-don’t-know-who, er… no thanks. Besides, taking a food trip north and experiencing The Edison sound like a much better idea, isn’t it?

The Edison Georgetown’s History

The Edison Georgetown has a background story that’s worthy of its own soap opera drama. A wealthy tycoon, Yeo Wee Gark built the place as a dream residence for his family back in 1906. As years went, the family ruin was completed by a gambler and the mansion changed hands. Came the WWII and the building was used as the Japanese administrative center during the Japanese Occupation. After the war, it was once an opium den and went through changes to a hotel (Cathay Hotel) until it permanently closed in 2013.

ET Group took over and great efforts were taken to return the mansion to its grandeur and now renamed as The Edison Georgetown, it is a luxury boutique hotel that you probably wouldn’t connect to its sad history.

What’s to Love About The Edison

Back to where we stood, oh yeah, the doorway. The Edison has ample guest parking space on its ground. A definite plus for us because a) not all heritage hotels have car parks 2) it’s not easy to get a parking lot in Penang, especially Georgetown. The building has a strong colonial influence but at the same time, it is adorned by early Chinese settlers influence. This is evident with the dragon fountain that sits right in the front entrance.

Entering the hotel lobby, we were greeted by the whitewashed reception area, with splash of striking blue and green wooden boards. A modern touch yet doesn’t look out of place at all. Check in was fast and the staff graciously walk us through the facilities in the hotel.

The clear winner was the 24-hour lounge, readily stocked with snacks, coffee, tea and drink. The best part was finding some of our favorite childhood goodies among the available snacks. Hotel’s complimentary tea time is served daily from 3pm to 5pm with local delicacies and fresh fruits, on top of the existing snacks.

 

The Edison Georgetown offers 35 guest rooms – Deluxe, Premium Deluxe and Suite. Our Deluxe room is adequately spacious and chic. One can easily noticed some of the original features are still retained, such as the greyish marble tile and the iron window grill.

Other room amenities include a safe, a rattan shopping basket (Penang is plastic free zone) for guest to use and every-day toiletries. The best highlight was the Appelles, an essential oil infused body and hair care collection from Australia. We just love these!

Strategic Location

Located on Lebuh Leith, The Edison is in Georgetown’s World Heritage Zone. The famous Cheong Fatt Sze Blue Mansion is just a few steps away, a 10 minute-walk away from Goddess of Mercy Temple and Penang State Museum and Art Gallery.

For foodies, the famous Penang Lobak at Kheng Pin Coffee Shop and Sup Hameed are easily in the vicinity too. The very reason that The Edison’s lounge does not provide lunch and breakfast, was that they recognize that local foods are aplenty in the area and guests would have loved to explore them.

Breakfast

A complimentary breakfast is inclusive in the package with nasi lemak, made-to-order eggs and omelets, Nyonya kuehs, selection of bread and pastries and some fibers in forms of fresh fruits.

CS has grown very attached to the all-you-can-drink coffee machine and wouldn’t stop ordering latte after lattes. For me, I am more than content with the selection of high-quality Birchall tea range.

Pool and Outdoor Lounge

The pool isn’t much but it’s hardly ever crowded, making it a good spot for CS to burn out all the creamy delicious scramble eggs he over-indulged for breakfast.

There is an outdoor area which seems like a big hit with people traveling in a group as a snug place for some little chat or simply, just like the warmth of sunshine.

All in all, our stay at The Edison Georgetown was great and we enjoyed exploring the nooks in this mansion while admiring the nostalgic interior design. So.. this is how the wealthy used to live in Penang a century ago?

My stay at The Edison Georgetown was complimentary. However, all opinions are, as always, my own.

Go to The Edison George Town website for more information and booking.