88 Armenian, Penang

Penang: a place where cultures and history collide in a beautiful mélange of great taste and aesthetic delights. And right in the centre of historic George Town, on Armenian Street – a place where Armenian traders gathered in the 1800s and history was made at the Penang Conference of 1911 – is a place that so perfectly captures the coming together of east and west, old and new: 88 Armenian.

88 Armenian first opened its doors in 2019; a luxury boutique hotel within a converted 19th century townhouse in typical colonial style. Its bright white facade and wooden-shuttered windows blend surreptitiously with the surroundings of the old town, but glass sliding doors open with a blast of air conditioning to reveal the moody ambience of Tóng, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, where locals and visitors alike share ideas and stories over Hokkaido scallops and Foie Gras rice. One of the first conversations we overhear on arrival is that of two international theatre actors, who have chosen the spot to swap tales of scripts and shows. It’s clear that 88 Armenian has built a reputation as a meeting place for the international community as well as local creatives.

Copper is a very deliberate choice here; an homage to Armenian Street’s alternative moniker of Coppersmith Street, named for the Malay braziers who fabricated copper and brass in a past life. You’ll find copper accents all throughout the hotel in tribute to these rich historical surroundings, and the hotel’s six luxury suites bear the names of historical figures who contributed to the copper industry in some way.

Everything about 88 Armenian is a little bit quirky, not least the hotel’s paternoster-style lift, which brings us to our room, the Revere Suite (named for American patriot Paul Revere, who opened the first copper mill in the US). A member of the team accompanies us with a welcome drink of fresh lemonade and a handcrafted iced cookie. The desk in the suite is thoughtfully laden with numerous guides and maps on the best sights, walking trails and, of course, eating spots to celebrate Penang’s renown as the ultimate foodie destination.

Despite the rich threads of history and the age-old surroundings outside the front door, everything about 88 Armenian is cutting-edge and designed for convenience. From lights to locks, the whole room is controlled from an electronic panel as you enter the door. The panel even features a button that casts a green glow around the entrance door when you need housekeeping, and a red glow when you select ‘do not disturb’.

The hotel’s suites are built for maximum comfort, boasting square footage ranging from 300 to 600 meters squared, much of which is occupied by enormous cloud-like beds. The Revere Suite also includes a living area with couch, desk and widescreen television, and a very generous bathroom.

The bathroom is an expanse in marble and copper that stretches the width of the suite and contains a walk-in shower and standalone bath tub. Atop the marble surface of the double vanity unit are products from luxury cosmetics brand Aesop, dried flowers, touches such as bespoke towels for removing makeup and – wait for it – a menu advertising one of the most unique hotel amenities we’ve ever experienced: a bath butler service.

From 10am-10pm, guests can call reception to request the experience, first choosing a ‘mood’ (from revitalising coconut citrus to relaxing ylang ylang) from the menu and leaving the butler work their magic.

In the morning, breakfast is another above-and-beyond experience. It’s an authentic representation of the multicultural melting pot of Penang, alternating each day between western and pan-Asian fare. We’re lucky enough to sample both during our stay, first starting with the Asian variety: a multi-course smorgasbord of dim sum, dumplings, nasi lemak, Malaysian custard tarts, and fritters. The next day, the theme switches to Western breakfast and with it comes a platter of tropical fruit, pastries, overnight oats with yoghurt and shakshuka. Both breakfasts are accompanied by freshly-squeezed fruit juice and coffee.

The thing that really makes this an out-of-the-ordinary stay is the attention to detail afforded to every single element. Prior to our arrival, we’re asked if we prefer sweet, savoury or unexpected (of course we choose ‘unexpected’). This detail informs the contents of a treat jar left in our room every day: freeze dried strawberries, truffles, an unusual sugared crisp with meat flavouring. In addition, a complimentary mini bar is well-stocked with a variety of soft drinks, water and beer. Each day we look forward to returning to the room to uncover what the hotel has left for us.

We’re shown to our room by a member of the team who makes the time to talk us through her own favourite spots. The personal touches continue with the hotel’s turndown service, which involves a handwritten note from the team wishing you a pleasant sleep, fresh bottled water by the bed, and another treat jar on the bed, usually filled with something that represents Malaysian nostalgia, such as favourite childhood sweets or typical biscuits that grandmothers would make, always accompanied by a note explaining its local relevance. It’s a sweet nod to the past for Malaysian visitors, and a way for tourists to get to know the real Penang. Slippers are ready and waiting by the bed, and monogrammed robes are hanging in the bathroom.

In the morning, we wake up in a fresh, air-conditioned room, blissfully unaware of the heat building outside. Palm trees sway in the window and the streets are bustling with people on their way to work, the cars and motorbike horns silent behind soundproof windows. After breakfast, we decide to start our day with another call to the bath butler service (this time choosing an energising fragrance to ready ourselves for the day ahead), sinking into the deep standalone bathtub. Frankly, it’s difficult to pry ourselves away from the comfort of our suite at all, but it’s made easier by the promise of the treats we’ll return to discover later. 88 Armenian is unique in the sense that every time you open the door, you’re delighted with yet another surprise that keeps you guessing, wondering what you’ll experience next.

Nothing could prepare us for the disappointment we faced when, having left the hotel and gone home, we returned to our room to find no nostalgic treats or ‘unexpected’ snacks. 88 Armenian is a place where delight and surprise happens at every turn, and guests will leave feeling that they’ve experienced modern Penang in a way that no guide book or website could manage. So stop reading and book!

We stayed
in the Revere suite, priced from around 1500 Malaysian ringgits per night (~£270), including a fantastic breakfast (stay min. two nights to experience the Asian and western varieties). This price also includes the described small touches and bath butler service.

For best rates and offers, always book directly on the hotel’s website.

This was a media stay – all opinions are our own.