In George Town, a restored 1904 annexe reopens as Cheong Fatt Tze – The Qing Suites, inviting heritage enthusiasts and travelers to experience a new chapter in Penang’s heritage story.
There are places in George Town where history feels present rather than preserved. Across the road from Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion, a long-forgotten annexe has returned to view, now reintroduced as Cheong Fatt Tze – The Qing Suites. Built in 1904 as servants’ quarters, the structure has been carefully reimagined to extend the mansion’s story into the present day.
The Blue Mansion itself has lived many lives since the death of its founder, Cheong Fatt Tze, in 1916. Its revival in the late 20th century marked a turning point, reopening in 1995 as both heritage attraction and boutique hotel, before receiving the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for its restoration in 2000. That foundation made today’s expansion possible.
Since 2015, Managing Director Shen Loh-Lim has guided the property with a long-term view, treating heritage as something active. Planning for The Qing Suites began in 2020, paused during the pandemic, and resumed in 2023 with Arkitek LLA translating the concept into built form. The result feels deliberately restrained. Cleaner lines, quieter spaces, and intuitive comforts create a contrast that still respects the original mansion’s presence, inspiring pride and curiosity in heritage and luxury travelers alike.
13 suites ranging from 44 to 67.3 square metres are divided into Signature, Terrace, and Garden categories. Local artworks, ceramics, and custom furnishings ground the rooms in Penang’s creative community, while generous bathrooms and thoughtful layouts support longer stays. This blend of heritage and modern comfort aims to make guests feel confident and eager to experience the space.
Wellness adds another layer through Virtue TCM at The Qing Suites, Southeast Asia’s first heritage hotel spa shaped entirely around Traditional Chinese Medicine. Consultations, herbal rituals, and restorative therapies are integrated gently into the stay, from welcome tea to in-room baths, offering guests a sense of exclusivity and well-being.
Set within the UNESCO-listed city of George Town, The Qing Suites do not compete with the past. Instead, they continue it, offering a composed, contemporary setting where heritage remains lived in, not looked at.
Cheong Fatt Tze – The Qing Suites
9, Lebuh Leith, George Town, 10200
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
T: (+60) 12378 8006
E: reservations@cheongfatttzemansion.com
W: cheongfatttzemansion.com
IG: @theqingsuites
