Seven Terraces

Before it became Seven Terraces, the homes that would later combine as a hotel were originally built in 1893 as part of a property development project. The building itself was owned by Khaw Sim Bee, a millionaire who also happens to be the governor of Southern Thailand. Through his company, Koe Guan, he constructed the commercial-residential housing during a time of George Town's expansion.

Over a century later, in 2008, George Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca. As it so happens, an enterprising George Town native named Christopher Ong was already making a name for himself as a heritage hotelier. Formerly an investment banker, he realized he had a knack for hospitality and management back in 2003, when he restored a Dutch mansion in Sri Lanka and opened it as the Galle Fort Hotel. His next project was the Clove Hall Hotel, which was an Anglo-Indian bungalow transformed into a five-room boutique hotel.

Seeing more opportunities to save his hometown's heritage, Chris Ong purchased several more old homes in Penang. These include Muntri Mews, Noordin Mews, Muntri Grove, and of course, Seven Terraces.

Seven Terraces counts itself as among the finest examples of George Town's Colonial Anglo–Chinese architecture. Adaptive Reuse is a driving concept in many of Penang's restoration projects, preserving old properties by ensuring they remain useful to the current generation.

Penang's terrace houses set themselves apart from traditional Chinese courtyard compounds due to a variety of factors. Most apparent is their embracing of British colonial influences, resulting in a hybridized aesthetic reflected in the Western-style windows and doors, as well as the plaster pillars.

The interiors are much closer to traditional Chinese conventions, featuring inner courtyards providing ventilation and natural light. The ground floor consisted of former social or shop spaces, now repurposed as the hotel's common areas. Included in the novel transformations were the addition of a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool.

For its decor, authentic antique items representing Chinese, Malay, and British heritage were chosen, creating an ambiance that captures the essence of Penang's Peranakans. You'll find altar tables, as well as gilded tables and cabinets, set alongside discreet modern fixtures and amenities.

Savor fine Indochinese cuisine at Kebaya Dining Room, the signature restaurant of Seven Terraces. Led by Chefs Zac and Kent, the restaurant takes traditional Peranakan recipes, passed down from mothers, aunts, and grandmothers, and elevates them with Pan-Asian touches and innovative French cooking techniques.

Enjoy a plate of signature Kebaya satay as your starter, before moving on to the sticky plum duck legs and sambal goreng. For dessert, treat your sweet tooth with a pandan crème brûlée or cool off with a gula melaka parfait.

Since Seven Terraces is located within George Town's colonial era districts, that means it's actually a part of the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aside from the hotel itself, many other historic landmarks and heritage attractions are within walking distance.

Right around the corner from the hotel is St. George's Church, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion, is a Chinese generational home that has been transformed into a heritage hotel. Another generational home that was repurposed is the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, which now operates as a history and cultural museum about the Peranakans, or mixed-heritage people of Penang.

For further recommendations on where to go and what to do, you can approach the management for referrals to guided tours, cultural spots, or even hidden gems found in George Town and Penang.