Hotel Penaga: A unique fusion

HERITAGE conservation and hospitality are about to take a novel turn in George Town's historic enclave in Penang by the end of the year.

This is when owners of a new hotel raise the bar in luxury boutique accomodation with retail and artistic spin-offs.

The RM15 million job involved the puchase of 15 pre-war terraced houses and shophouses, and restore them into Hotel Penaga.

The hotel is slated for opening by the middle of December.

It is set to see its owners, international architect Hijjas Kasturi and his wife Angela offering a residency programme for artists, and a shop selling most of the materials, fixtures and furniture found in the hotel.

"We have had a lot of fun over the project in sourcing for materials from all over the region and we will open a shop selling most of these things, in particular mirrors and lights from Indonesia, reconstructed antique furniture from China, and contemporary art works from the region," Hotel Penaga Sdn Bhd director Angela Hijjas told Business Times in Penang.

Angela said she and Hijjas will also provide a link to others interested in restoring old buildings for materials like tube line decorations, wall tiles and second-hand timber.

"With all the experience we have garnered over the last two years, we can virtually be a one-stop shop for people trying to source appropriate materials and fittings," she added.

The project, when completed, will boast a spa, a restaurant, a bar and garden.

"Officially we are three-star but this is mainly because we do not have many outlets and lack the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhbitions facilities," Angela said

"Our rooms in terms of size and finish, however, will be equal to anything provided by the five-star hotels, and service will also be the highest priority." Angela said although Hotel Penaga cannot market itself as a five-star hotel, its owners will position it as a luxury boutique hotel "at the doorstep of the old city, where a fusion of heritage and cultures, art and green buildings merge."

With Singapore as it primary target market, Angela says the hotel is banking on the fact that there are currently 70 flights a week into Penang from the island republic.

"Singaporeans are in the free, independent travellers (FIT) category, who make their own arrangements without the need for an intermediary, especially as Penang is so familiar even if they have never visited the island before.

"Most come for the food, but they also expect to find an interesting place to stay and they may well economise by flying on a budget airline, but accomodation is something they may want to splurge on a bit," she added.

Angela added that the company is looking to acquire more buildings in George Town, but contended that it is not easy.

"Many are held in multiple names or by family trusts and although they may be decrepit, they are not on the market.

"We would like to extend our role within the MICE industry, as there is a great shortage of venues with an old-town heritage character," she added.

Singling out the recently-restored Suffolk House by reknowned architect Laurence Loh, as one such venue, she pointed out that there is still demand for more.

"So we are on the lookout but with no luck so far. Even through we only have 50 rooms to sell, having an affiliated venue would be beneficial in broadening our appeal," Angela added.