Noordin Mews

Rooms

The L-shaped double storey former stables have been converted into 14 Mews Rooms which run the length of the property. All 14 are identical in size and layout with a (very comfortable we can vouchsafe) kingsize platform bed with useful shelves alongside, plus a purpose-built sofa which can convert to a single bed. Original terrazzo floors, medicine cabinets housing vintage curiosities and framed cheongsam dresses complement the original 1950s furniture - expect a couple of armchairs, a wardrobe and a dressing table.

The two first-floor Suites are accessed by a handsome wooden staircase. Noordin Suite faces the street and has two four-poster beds, whereas larger Sultan Suite is to the rear above the cafe and its veranda overlooks the pool. Note that one of its interconnected bedrooms (both also with four-posters) can only be reached by walking through the other. Each suite has wooden floors and 1950s retro teak furniture.

Wet room-style ensuite bathrooms are simple and effective, with Grohe rain showers. There are no baths.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast, included in the rate, is taken in the cafe area poolside. You get a tropical fruit platter and mixed fresh fruit juice, plus a main course from the small but perfectly formed menu of classic cooked breakfast, egg florentine, pancakes, French toast or fruit and nut granola, and your choice of tea or coffee. There's also a daily Asian special (yum!) on the chalk board. Vegetarians and any dietary requirements are catered for.

From noon until eight you can order snacks such as chicken dumplings, croque monsieur, or calamari rings, and there's an all-day drinks service. And guests like the complimentary slice of cake and tea/coffee offered 3-5pm daily. But you're unlikely to eat here outside breakfast given that Penang is Malaysia's food capital. The front desk can advise where to go for various varieties of street food and different cuisines, and will provide a handy food map of the city, which we found extremely useful. We ate the full gamut from cheap Chinatown to the upscale fusion cookery at Copper Bar & Restaurant and loved it all.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• We found UNESCO-listed Georgetown utterly fascinating. Check out the landmark colonial buildings, the varied religions which live side-by-side, the 1920s Chinese shophouses, the public art on every corner, the modern high rises
  
• This is the food capital of Malaysia. Whether in high-end restaurants, street food or ethnic cafes you'll dine fabulously
  
• Ascend Penang Hill via funicular for slightly cooler temperatures, long views across Penang, and a fascinating colonial history
  
• The Clan Jetties, still lived and worked by the original families, are five minutes around the corner
  
• The hotel can arrange a trishaw tour, a day trip to idyllic village Batik Pulau on the other side of the island, and a heritage tour guide

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Historical sites
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets

Best Time to go

Our Top Tips

Location

Noordin Mews is in Georgetown on the island of Penang off the west coast of Malaysia. It is a short stroll away from the UNESCO-listed heritage heart of Georgetown.

By Air
Fly to Penang International Airport, about a 30-minute drive from Georgetown. The hotel can arrange a transfer or you can take a taxi.

By Ferry
Cross-channel ferry services connect Georgetown and Butterworth. High-speed ferries to the resort island of Langkawi, Kedah and Medan are also available.

By Bus
We found the cross-country buses (the terminal is in Butterworth) to be very easy to use, good value, punctual, clean and air-conditioned. There are local buses, but they may be too complicated to work out. As a rule of thumb, if you’re stuck outside Georgetown and a bus going vaguely northwest says ‘Jetty’, hop on.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

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