Hollywood Gem: The Blue Mansion – George Town, Penang

Welcome to The Blue Mansion, a captivating hotel located in the heart of Georgetown, Penang,  a city UNESCO inscribed as a World Heritage Site. This iconic establishment has gained worldwide recognition, not only for numerous awards by UNESCO, and ASEAN but also for its appearance in the blockbuster Hollywood movie Crazy Rich Asians. 

Steeped in rich history, The Blue Mansion traces its origins back to the late 19th century and is closely tied to the story of the prominent Chinese tycoon: Cheong Fatt Tze, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers alike. As a luxurious and unique hotel experience, The Blue Mansion offers a perfect blend of heritage and contemporary comfort, making it a standout choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable stay in Penang.

Quick Facts: 

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Opening Hours: 11 am-6 pm 

Entrance Fee: 

Guided Tours: 

Adults: RM25

Children: RM12

Self-Guided Tours (with app): 

Adults: RM25

Distance from Penang airport: 18.2 km

Table of Contents:

  1. Tours
  2. Suites
  3. Dining
  4. Architecture
  5. Reviews
  6. History

The Blue Mansion Tours

Guided Tours: 

The tour will take 45 minutes in total and covers the reception hall, the famed courtyard where the Mahjong scene from Crazy Rich Asians was filmed, and the museum exhibitions on the first and second floors.

  • Each tour can only accommodate a maximum of 35 guests.
  • The Blue Mansion also functions as a hotel and so some parts are inaccessible during the tour to protect the privacy of hotel guests
  • Tour guests are welcome to enjoy classic cocktails at The Bar, a meal at our fine dining restaurant, Indigo, or refreshments at Cafe Mangga
  • The tours are a good way to experience the mansion before you decide to commit to staying. 

Self-Guided Tours:

Using your phone, earphones, and SmartGuide tour app you can experience this self-guided tour at your own pace and have the choice to do so on-site or virtually. 

  • Covers the facade, main lobby, courtyard, and both ground-level and upstairs exhibitions. 
  • Operating Hours: Daily from 11 am- 6 pm

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Suites

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The Ming Collection

  • Double & Twin Rooms
  • Pool & Oriental Garden access

These rooms beautifully blend modern luxury with the grandeur of the 19th century. You’ll find unique furnishings from Cheong Fatt Tze’s family, giving them a touch of history. Plus, these rooms come with modern amenities like espresso machines, ensuring you have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

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The Liang Collection

  • Double & Twin Rooms

The smaller and cozier Liang rooms can be found on the ground and first floors of the East Wing or the first floor of the West Wing. These rooms are thoughtfully decorated with antique furniture and artwork that has been passed down from Cheong Fatt Tze’s family. They also come equipped with modern amenities to ensure a convenient and enjoyable stay.

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The Tang Suites

  • Double Rooms
  • Ensuite jacuzzis 

There are only two Tang suites – expansive rooms with unique themes and design. Set on the ground floor of each wing, these rooms are located beside the iconic cast iron spiral staircases, featuring personally curated artifacts and memorabilia. Both rooms also boast deep jacuzzis, perfect to soak in after a day spent exploring the charms of George Town.

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The Han Suites

  • Triple Rooms

The Han suites are located at the front corners of The Blue Mansion. These grand chambers are spacious enough for a small family, or a group of friends. Here, you will find an elegant sitting room with a daybed, a large master bedroom, and an en-suite bathroom equipped with a claw-footed bathtub and shower.

Dining

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Indigo Resaurant 

On the first floor, you’ll find Indigo restaurant, which takes inspiration from Cheong Fatt Tze and creates a fusion of Eastern and Western elements, not only in its ambiance but also in its cuisine.

The restaurant offers a harmonious blend of flavors and skillful cooking techniques, showcasing the diverse culinary influences that Chef Jack has acquired throughout his life in Penang, his international kitchen experiences, and his travels around the world.

The interior design of Indigo is thoughtfully crafted to complement and elevate the dining experience, making it a highly recommended dining destination in Penang.

Indigo is open daily for lunch, dinner, and private events.

Cafe Mangga

A casual, laidback cafe underneath the old mango tree on the grounds of George Town’s iconic heritage mansion, Mangga offers classic and contemporary comfort foods, and refreshing drinks to partake in. Enjoy good food and breezy, sun-speckled conversations during the day, or live music and drinks in the evening within the Mangga garden.

Cafe Mangga is open:

8 am – 6 pm serving the “All Day Dining” Menu

7 pm – 11 pm serving the “Mangga Nights” Menu (Starting June 14th, 2023)

Blue Mansion Bar

The tranquil lounge at The Blue Mansion offers guests a different view of the iconic building. Here, they can relax and enjoy signature cocktails, wine, coffee, tea, and a menu of all-day dining options. On weekends, guests can also enjoy the beautiful melodies of the guzheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument, with rich resonant notes. 

The Bar welcomes guests daily from 11 am – 12 midnight.

Courtyard Restaurant 

The iconic courtyard restaurant where the final scene in Crazy Rich Asians takes place is also stunning in its own right, the perfect place to have breakfast. 

Come noon guests on the daily tours wander in to discover the space. Courtyard seating is also open to guests of The Bar, who can enjoy their drinks and snacks at the tables fringing the center.

On weekend evenings, the resident guzheng player takes his turn in creating an ambiance that is truly special.

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Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion: Architecture

The Blue Mansion’s architecture is a remarkable blend of Chinese and European influences. Designed in the late 19th century by master craftsmen from China, the mansion showcases the distinctive architectural style of the era. The indigo-blue façade, an iconic feature of the mansion, is believed to symbolize prosperity and luck in Chinese culture.

Inside, the mansion features a unique courtyard design that allows natural light to flood the interior, creating a harmonious balance between nature and architecture. The intricate wood carvings, ornate porcelain decorations, and colorful stained glass windows further highlight the mansion’s architectural grandeur.

The Blue Mansion, Penang: Reviews

Exceptional Stay

Arrived with my partner and greeted with warm welcoming. The Blue Mansion is stunning and out of this world, very unique! All staff were excellent and polite. Room cleanliness was of a high standard, cleaned everyday. They hotel provided you with some evening snacks delivered to your room, which I thought as a good touch. Breakfast was amazing, with a great view of the centre courtyard. The breakfast food too was great, high quality and plenty of choice.

Overall, I’d rate my stay 10/10.

Blue mansion WOW!

Dripping in culture and history. Service is outstanding. Nothing is too much for the staff. Absolutely loved our stay and discovering George Town by trishaw and on foot.

Only pit fall is the food markets next to the hotel that play music until 1am. Ear plugs are supplied in your room and are a must for light sleepers.

Everything else was outstanding, so much so that we wanted to stay another night but they were booked solid.

Great experience!

The most authentic luxury Penang experience.

This is my second time back at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.

I’ve previously stayed at one of the rooms on the first floor. But this time my partner and I opted for the room on the ground floor with direct pool access. There’s a reason as to why I chose to come back here

This house feels like home. It’s one of those places where you leave the door and window open and it feels alright, just like you would do when you are at your rich Chinese grand parents house.

The staff there were also friendly, and the bar is a great place to hang out. We had our lunch at indigo and the food is of such great value.

The location of the hotel is pretty central, so taking a walk in the evenings are great as you absorb what Georgetown city has got to offer.

The 4D3N i spent there went by so fast. But this is definitely the place I’ll stay Everytime I go to Penang.

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Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion History

The Blue Mansion’s rich history dates back to the late 19th century when Cheong Fatt Tze, the “Rockefeller of the East,” commissioned its construction. The mansion served as his residence and also hosted numerous social and cultural events, attracting dignitaries and influential figures of the time.

After a period of neglect, the mansion was lovingly restored to its former glory, preserving its cultural heritage and architectural splendor. Today, it stands as a testament to the vision and legacy of Cheong Fatt Tze, offering visitors a glimpse into Penang’s vibrant past.

2 Comments

  1. Hussain June 23, 2023
    • Bina July 4, 2023

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