The blue mansion was truly an experience. Almost like living in a museum in a good way. The rooms are absolutely beautifully decorated. Breakfast was good. Everything you needed. The staff were friendly. We had a ground floor room that backed out to the grass and the swimming pool, which was very pleasant.

On the ground floor you did get a little noise coming from upstairs. I guess this is to be expected in a house that old not really a problem. Also, the tours are a bit of a nuisance however that’s very well noted on their website so we expected it. Nothing would stop me from going back for a few nights at another time.

History

Toilet leaked at the base and was not fixed in spite of being told. The plug for the washbasin was not secured. The place needs an overhaul.

When you walk into Cheong Fatt Tze, aka The Blue Mansion, it honestly feels like you've stepped back in time a hundred years. The building has been beautifully restored and has this rich, exotic vibe that hits you right away. The staff totally match that atmosphere – they’re super helpful and incredibly friendly. One of them even brought us by car over to Armenian Street when we asked where to find the best street art. They hold doors open for you, move ropes out of the way when they can, and there’s a warm smile wherever you go. And the hotel itself? They don’t use room numbers – each room has a name. Ours was called 'Fragrant Poem', and we had to use this old-fashioned 100 year old key to open the door. Inside, the room had all the modern comforts, but with antique touches in the furniture and on the walls. It was honestly very nice. Breakfast was another highlight – super tasty, really well done, and a little different each day. Just to show how special the building is: they do guided tours twice a day (don’t worry, not through the guest rooms), and as a hotel guest, you can join for free. The funny thing is, during the tour you might catch a little wink from one of the staff who recognizes you – it’s a nice touch 🙂. Long story short: Cheong Fatt Tze is one of the most unique and authentic places we've ever stayed. And while the price per night is relatively high (at least by Malaysian standards), if this place were in the Netherlands where we live, it would easily cost five times as much. Totally worth it.

To be honest, nothing was disappointing. If we háve to say something, it would be the pool. We didn't use it, but it was small and looked a bit dated. But you don't go to The Blue Mansion for a pool vacation.

Thé Blue Mansion has amazing staff in the breakfast room and bar. They were welcoming and friendly and remembered what we liked. They are the backbone of this organisation!

We finalised our bill on the evening prior to our departure. We were humiliated when the front of house person accosted us in our taxi as we were leaving to say we had not paid our bill. What she meant was that their clerical staff had not finalised our bill correctly….. but she chose to accuse us of not paying!!! What a way to end an otherwise wonderful 10 day stay. The front of house staff could learn something by watching their staff who are faultless in their dealings with guests.

A beautiful building, with a rich history. It feels very special to spend time inside, and relax in the courtyards. The staff were very attentive and friendly, and accommodated my early arrival without any trouble. The pool area although small was never crowded, and was a nice spot to relax and cool off from the heat.

It's an old building, so of course it comes with it's own character – the soundproofing isn't the best so you can hear footsteps above if you are downstairs, and music playing from the courtyard or cafe. It also isn't possible to completely black out the room, so take an eye mask and you own ear plugs if you are sensitive to light/noise at night.

Such a brilliant stay!! I was blown away by the mansion, such wonderful accommodation. Originally there was a mix up with our booking, however the mansion contacted me months in advance to work it out, and we ended up staying in the Tjong Townhouse for 2 nights and the Han Triple Suite for another 2 nights, plus we were given a complimentary lunch for the trouble. The townhouse was lovely - so spacious and well equipped, and I loved the loft bedroom, it was really easy to keep cool and I didn't have any issues with sound despite the earplugs provided. The mansion also drove us to and from the townhouse whenever needed, including for breakfast when requested, though there was also the easy option to have packaged breakfast dropped off at the townhouse the night prior. We also really enjoyed the Han triple suite, it was comfortable and clean, and the mansion provided lovely little desserts each evening as a cute surprise. The bathroom was spacious and included a bathtub, plus the mansion has a gorgeous pool which we loved using. The cafe and restaurant attached to the mansion are also great, as is the provided breakfast at the mansion - lots of options at the buffet, as well as some meals to order.

Tjong townhouse does have a wide-open massive skylight type thing, which meant that mosquitoes easily came in (and, presumably, rain). There is a concrete area with drainage below for the rain, and many cans of mosquito killer were provided plus a net for the main bedroom (while I found it easy to keep mosquitoes from the loft by closing the door), however there was still a minor mosquito issue. Nonetheless, really enjoyed the stay!!

I loved the look of the place and what it is providing, but the service and my experience there left a bad note and I will not be returning again.

Breakfast – Disappointing for the price. The selection didn’t reflect the cost, so we ended up skipping it on most days. Internet – Advertised as ‘high-speed’, but I couldn’t run conference calls on my MacBook. Staff – I checked at the end of my stay if anything was outstanding. Later, I received calls and texts saying I’d ‘forgotten’ to collect my RM200 deposit. I was also told I owed the Manga Café money, though we paid cash throughout. They requested receipts for two drinks I had before finally returning the deposit a week later.

Very impressive stay in a historic mansion. Very good preservation and maintenance. Like staying in a museum. Worth it! Also it’s pleasure to see ginger the cat living her best life in the mansion. Super cute.

The guide tour is good but it’s too full, very crowded. So the experience wasn’t very comfortable. Suggest open another slot for hotel guest only. Also the hospitality and service of staff have room for improvement. The communication before checkin is not very smooth, some messages lack of clarity looks like copy n pasted . Also slow in response. They are friendly to serve you everything inside the mansion, but would be good if there’s also service to offer local insights and guide of exploring Penang.

To The Blue Mansion Hotel Manager and Team, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the unforgettable experience my husband and I had during our recent stay at your beautiful hotel. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the tranquil ambiance that enveloped the entire property. The guided tour provided us with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the surroundings, making our stay even more meaningful. The delicious breakfast spread each morning was a delightful treat that we eagerly looked forward to, setting a perfect tone for our days of exploration. Moreover, the convenient location of your hotel to nearby tourist attractions made it incredibly easy for us to immerse ourselves in the local culture and beauty without any hassle. Thank you for creating such a magical and memorable retreat for us. We are already looking forward to our next visit! Warm regards, Lee

None.

Wonderful ambience makes for a great way to spend your time. The authenticity of the place made for a delightful stay as well as a unique experience. Being surrounded by great architecture and jaw dropping interiors ensure you great memories. The staff were beyond delightful in an easy manner guaranteed to make you comfortable. Room sizes are impressive and are maintained and replenished regularly. Attention to small details add so much to your visit - dressing gowns and sarongs, really good range of toiletries, ear plugs, coffee machine, ironing board, pool towels changed every day and steamed sweets are brought to your room (with personal message) on your return in the afternoon. Breakfasts are good and include a Western style buffet, set menu and a full Asian buffet set around the central indoor courtyard.

Depending where your room is, then you need to be out or under cover when the guided tours take place. These provide much needed finance to maintain this historic building. However, it fails to stop the tourists stepping over no entry signs and gawping at you as they take their photos.