Why e book
George Town, on the island of Penang, has lengthy captivated vacationers with its mural-lined alleyways, its richly layered Peranakan delicacies, formed by centuries of migration, and pastel shophouses that fuse European and Chinese influences. While the island has a wholesome handful of boutique accommodations set inside heritage buildings with extra apparent nods to previous Penang, Soori distinguishes itself by marrying the wealthy cultural historical past of its Chinese—occupying a Chinese clan compound—with a refined, modern aesthetic and a discreet persona that may enchantment to in the present day’s design-minded traveler.
Arati Menon
Arati Menon
Set the scene
On any given day, Armenian Street—one among George Town’s hottest thoroughfares—is thronged with vacationers drawn to its cafés, memento shops, and iconic road murals. Step onto the quieter Cannon Street, nonetheless, and a discreet entrance leads into Khoo Kongsi, Penang’s wealthiest Chinese clan temple, in-built 1906. Today, the complicated is visited as a lot for its ornate prayer pavilion and small museum as for the sense of repose it gives, with an expansive courtyard and neatly ordered shophouses. It is inside this cocoon of calm that Soori Penang resides—a petite, 15-suite property built-in into two rows of black-and-white shophouses. Flanking the temple’s entryway and set within the coronary heart of the heritage district, the lodge feels intrinsically linked to Khoo Kongsi and deeply interwoven into the material of George Town. Yet its smooth, monochromatic design serves as a quiet counterpoint to the temple’s wealthy ornamentation. Drawing from the spatial framework of conventional shophouse residing, the interiors are trendy, using a palette of wooden, granite, stone, and porcelain. The lounge, entered through a courtyard, is anchored by a big alabaster pendant lamp suspended above a hefty marble desk topped with shiny inexperienced apples. Custom-made darkish armchairs and pedestal tables sit atop herringbone flooring, and practically every thing is made to order. Though nonetheless in comfortable opening throughout my go to, it’s straightforward to examine well-heeled world vacationers gliding quietly via the walkways, lingering over a e book within the courtyard amid tidy tropical plantings, or sipping Old-Fashioneds on the small however moody bar.
The backstory
Penang is a mosaic of ethnic influences—the results of waves of immigration that peaked within the 18th and nineteenth centuries, drawing retailers and laborers from numerous elements of the world. The Khoo clan had been among the many rich immigrants from Fujian, China, who arrived within the nineteenth century and rapidly established themselves each economically and culturally. The Khoo Kongsi compound served as their temple, cultural hub—and residence—and have become seen as a mirrored image of the clan’s position in Penang’s improvement. For Soori Penang’s proprietor, architect Soo Okay. Chan, this compound was his household house and the place the place he grew up. As a consequence, the restoration carried an funding far better than the sum of its elements. Chan, who can also be the challenge’s architect, is not any stranger to constructing residences and accommodations: Soori Bali is a 48-villa idyll perched between rice paddies and volcanic-sand seashores in South-West Bali (rumor has it Justin Bieber and the Kardashians have all checked in sooner or later), and a ski resort is presently in improvement in Japan. When we final met, Chan recalled having to persuade his household that the Khoo Kongsi challenge wouldn’t take away from their shared historical past, and as an alternative improve the compound’s cultural worth. Eventually, they agreed. His work isn’t accomplished: over the following couple of years, the property will develop into among the shophouses on the perimeter, changing them into food-and-beverage retailers designed to serve each visitors and neighborhood guests.
Arati Menon
The rooms
There are 15 suites in complete, unfold throughout two flooring of shophouses and marked by stone plinths topped with the clan’s emblematic lions. The two rows of buildings are cleaved down the center by a pathway main guests towards the temple. Shophouses are integral to road life in Penang, so it feels becoming that figures drift previous your window—although a discreet set of latticed screens retains any peeping Toms at bay. Most lodging are one-bedroom suites measuring upward of 1,000 sq. toes and comfortably sleeping two adults and two kids, however there’s a three-bedroom suite deliberate for the latter half of 2026. True to shophouse design, the suites run deep and are illuminated by a central skylight that lets mild flit throughout a water characteristic and a shivling fountain, which gurgles from 8 a.m. to eight p.m. (however might be switched off if it proves distracting for relaxation). Décor right here is minimal: a picket sculpture mounted on the wall, a bowl of completely fashioned longan fruit on the desk. The bed room is ready simply past, separated by a slatted window that maintains a transparent line of sight, past which a walk-in closet—the place I discovered straw hats, woven baggage, and leather-based sandals to make use of throughout my keep—leads into the lavatory, the place alabaster, granite, and stone create a serene play of textures. Lighting controls are plentiful and intuitive, and locations mood-setting firmly in your fingers (I liked the day-to-evening-to-night settings), whereas trendy conveniences embrace a Tivoli radio, wonderful linens, Byredo toiletries, Dyson home equipment, and two massive TV screens that in some way soften into the palette. It’s stylish, materially rooted in place, and an oasis from the busy streets exterior.
Arati Menon
Food and drink
There is presently a single menu right here, loved both contained in the lounge or—if the climate is variety—exterior within the black-and-white courtyard, a classy al fresco house. It is crafted by government chef Mathijs Nanne, previously of the favored Suffolk House, a Georgian mansion–turned–restaurant in Penang. Nanne describes his cooking as Mediterranean in inflection, however led by the native elements he sources each day from the market. The menu stays small; presumably most visitors will select to eat out and expertise George Town’s celebrated culinary excellence. For breakfast, we loved poached egg, avocado, and pickled greens on toast, alongside in a single day oats loaded with ardour fruit, seeds, and dried fruit (attempt all of the housemade jams—they’re wonderful). For dinner, count on salmon rillettes, citrusy backyard salads, and delicately poached fish, greatest loved alongside an old school or conventional nutmeg juice. In the following part, the lodge will announce a café and specialty restaurant on the outer perimeter of the compound that may cater to each visitors and walk-ins (one can solely hope it’s going to highlight Peranakan fare). Inside the rooms, there’s a totally stocked minibar, tea infusions in your personal little tea ceremony, and nuts and dried fruit replenished each day. For tea lovers, there’s a devoted tea room reserved for tastings (you’ll be able to merely stroll in), in addition to occasional guided tea lessons.
For households
Soori might be greatest loved by grownups however households have been thought-about within the Three Bedrooms Residence that’s scheduled to be obtainable within the second half of 2026.
The spa
There is a small however well-appointed gymnasium on the second flooring, that includes Technogym gear, and subsequent to it a two-bed spa room that visitors can e book for massages and reflexology therapies. The lodge additionally has plans to introduce non-public yoga and mindfulness classes—though, I’ll say that regardless of one of the best intentions, my yoga mat within the room barely received dusted off. I blame George Town’s many treasures for conserving me busy.
Arati Menon
The neighborhood
George Town is a sensory delight: from its photogenic structure, marked by carved inlays and louvered home windows, to road hawkers peddling platefuls of char kway teow, and the kitschy decorations of trishaws, there’s a lot to seize your consideration. Tucked amid this bustle are trendy cafés and wonderful eating places in warehouse-like areas, French-style bakeries, and stylish linen outfitters. Take a stroll to Chew Jetty, a historic waterfront settlement of stilt homes constructed by Chinese immigrants within the nineteenth century; go to Little India, with its heady, culture-melding ambiance; or make a day doing the rounds of clan temples (Khoo Kongsi included) and Peranakan mansions. The vibrant Chowrasta Market isn’t far both, hawking favourites from Penang’s numerous cultures, from roti canai to bowls of syrupy chendul. Plan to eat quite a bit whenever you go to: between the nasi kandar eateries, nasi lemak stands, and pushcarts promoting peanut tambun biscuits, you’ll be properly fed. But if there’s something a go to to Penang will educate you, it’s that there’s no such factor as an excessive amount of meals.
The service
Service is heat and obliging. With solely 15 suites, you obtain the total consideration of your villa supervisor and the F&B group. A driver and automotive can be found on request, though other than airport transfers, George Town is greatest explored on foot. I significantly loved the turndown service: we’d return from a night out to discover a pot of sleep-friendly tea and a teeny woven basket containing native kueh (conventional sweets), in addition to considerate touches equivalent to handheld followers left charging by the bedside for the following day’s excursions. The lodge additionally arranges local-led, themed cultural outings at an extra value—and should you’re fortunate, it’s possible you’ll even trip in one of many stylish, refurbished trishaws parked within the courtyard.
Anything left to say
When you e book your journey right here, tack on an additional day to discover past the reaches of George Town, arduous as it’s to tear your self away. Accessible by a climbing path or funicular, Penang Hill has spectacular views of the town, harbor, and rainforest. And on the northwest aspect of the island, in Penang National Park, Monkey Beach is nice for picnicking and kayaking.