Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion Expands With The Qing Suites
The boutique hotel begins a new chapter with a restored 1904 annexe, continuing the legacy of the great man.
Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion stands as one of the most striking landmarks within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built more than 130 years ago, it was one of the homes of the self-made tycoon dubbed the ‘Rockefeller of the East’. An embodiment of Cheong’s legacy, the masterfully restored mansion on Penang Island has served as the filming location for multiple productions, including Crazy Rich Asians and the Academy Award-winning Indochine.
Three decades after opening its doors as both a heritage attraction and an 18-room boutique hotel, the property now expands with a magnificent annexe: The Qing Suites.
First constructed in 1904 as servants’ quarters, it originally housed the staff who kept the household running—cooks, attendants, cleaners, and runners. Needless to say, they did not live in the splendour that the annexe now offers, as it has been transformed into a sanctuary comprising 13 suites. The row of five terrace houses, each 15 ft deep and 100 ft wide, has been reimagined with clean lines, warm textures, and crafted light fixtures to evoke how Cheong Fatt Tze might have lived were he alive today.
The Qing Suites was conceived and realised under the vision of Shen Loh-Lim, Managing Director of Cheong Fatt Tze Hotels & Residences, with the restoration guided by conservation architect Laurence Loh, continuing the architectural lineage of the Blue Mansion. Its striking indigo-coloured walls make it unmistakably part of the mansion, located directly across the street, a mere 80 metres away. Two traditional Chinese crafts woven into the façade—chien nien (剪黏), hand-shaped porcelain shard relief work, and cai hui (彩绘), hand-painted Southern Chinese ornamentation—further reflect the grandeur of the household.
Upon check-in, or at their convenience, guests are invited to a complimentary tea session at the Tranquility Tea Room, a serene space offering a curated selection of Chinese teas, including aged pu-erh and high-mountain oolong. I felt myself relax as I breathed in the floral aromas of the Double Petal Rose Shou Mei White Tea from Fujian and savoured its smooth notes.
Each of the 13 suites in The Qing Suites is thoughtfully named after figures and themes connected to Cheong’s life, such as Che Lun Ping (the village where he was born) and Fu Hui (a glass company he founded). Guests can choose from three room types: the Signature Suites; the Garden Suites, a private sanctuary of tropical greenery; and the Terrace Suites, which open onto a rooftop garden. I stayed in the former—a thoughtfully designed suite blending contemporary comfort with heritage sensibilities, featuring wall-to-wall windows with splendid views of the mansion.
Inside, a king-sized bed and a built-in daybed that doubles as a lounging nook rest on restored timber floors, where one could imagine Cheong’s honoured guests—consuls and dignitaries—once reclining. The room is adorned with touches from local artists and artisans, including calligraphy by Bryan Phua, premium Malaysian hardwood furniture by Dad’s Woods, and ceramics by Sean Pottery. These are complemented by modern amenities such as a Nespresso machine and a Ruark Bluetooth speaker.
The Signature Suite
Connecting the once-separate terrace houses is The Qing Courtyard, featuring newly added Roman arches crafted in the traditional manner by Italian masonry expert Giovanni Santo. As morning light filters through the bonsai, guests can indulge in their breakfast of choice (I opted for the Herbal Duck Soup) from a menu curated by Kim Hock Su, consultant executive chef at The Blue Mansion and chef-proprietor of the one-Michelin-starred Au Jardin.
Guests can also enjoy a tipple or two at The Qing Bar, a space reserved for in-house patrons. The menu includes Asian botanical-inspired cocktails featuring chrysanthemum gin, osmanthus, ginseng, and pandan—I particularly enjoyed the latter. For more dining options, stroll across to Indigo at The Blue Mansion, Café Mangga, Courtyard, and The Bar. Guests also have access to facilities such as the swimming pool opposite, with stays including complimentary tours of The Blue Mansion.
A Journey of Renewal
No stay would be complete without a session at Virtue Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at The Blue Mansion, housed within the three front terraces. This makes The Qing Suites Southeast Asia’s first heritage hotel spa rooted in TCM, offering a unique experience that goes beyond massage. These wellness treatments aim to restore harmony between Jing (Essence), Qi (Vital Energy), and Shen (Spirit)—fundamental energies believed to sustain life, body, mind, and spirit. Interestingly, Cheong’s own father practised these ancient methodologies.
Thian Zu Juin, one of the practitioners, began with a personalised consultation and pulse diagnosis. She noted excess moisture in my body and performed Gua Sha on my back to promote lymphatic drainage, followed by soothing scalp acupressure. Other traditional treatments, such as cupping and acupuncture, are also available (I opted out of the latter due to trypanophobia).
At The Qing Suites, guests can relax in spaces that honour the Peranakan aesthetic, admire subtle nods to Cheong’s life and achievements, and experience a sense of being in the heart of the city.
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