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Clove Hall is an elegant two-storey bungalow of Edwardian Anglo-Malay heritage located in Penang. Built in the 1920s, in a former coconut plantation, it has been lovingly restored in the peranakan style and furnished with British colonial, Malay, and Chinese styles. Penang has a good choice of heritage accommodation but Clove Hall has the edge if you're looking to combine relaxation and sightseeing.
There are just six-bedrooms in Clove Hall, designed for the present-day traveller. All guest rooms have air-conditioning, four-poster beds and living spaces, decorated with antiques. Everything is generously proportioned, spotlessly clean and well-maintained. Throughout the property, Clove Hall follows a minimalist approach to design. The result is, that it retains its wonderful old-world charm, of the same unhurried and comfortable atmosphere.
The common areas are wide open to the garden and reflect a colonial ambience. The airy ground-floor living and dining spaces with French doors, open out to a green-tiled swimming pool, surrounded by Macarthur palms and frangipanis. Nearby, the hotel restaurant serves only breakfast at this upscale B&B. But, an SUV is on call for those who like to experience Penang’s diverse dining scene or explore Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amenities
Stay Clove Hall has just 6 spacious suites, all of which are bespoke and individual in nature. Three rooms are on the ground level and three on the first floor. These are tastefully furnished in period Malay/Chinese decor. The Cardamom room has poster bed and French windows while the exclusive Ginger Suite has its own separate private entrance and its own secluded courtyard garden filled with ginger lilies. All rooms are fully air-conditioned with indoor and outdoor seating area.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at the Clove Hall, George Town, Penang, but there are no specialist facilities available. However, babysitting can be arranged, if requested.
Dine The Clove Hall house functions more like an upmarket boutique guesthouse or a stylish "Malaya" home with 4- to 5-star amenities. Staying in Penang means eating is very much the order of the day. A fully cooked breakfast is served in the garden or where you like it. Clove Hall does not serve lunch or dinner but there is afternoon tea by the pool, accompanied by homemade cakes.
Relax A large pool at Clove Hall compliments the outside temperature with a nice sized deck and plenty of deck chairs to recline upon. For quiet reading, there are many nooks that you can retreat to within the splendid gardens to have your own quiet space. The residence is located about 20 minutes’ walk, or 5-min by taxi from the centre of Georgetown, known for its Peranakan culture and recognised as a UNESCO Heritage site.
Experience For those wanting to explore the George Town, Clove Hall speak with the owners Jo and Jim, who are the picture of the perfect hosts, whose knowledge of Penang and the local sights, attractions and eateries is flawlessly comprehensive. While in town, look out for the incredible street art supported by the government. Other sights include the lovely Cheong Fat Tze house and the butterfly park which is fun for kids and if you get hungry, eat at Monkey Tree, a great Thai place next door.
Location Clove Hall is an elegant 2-storey bungalow in Penang, now lovingly restored in the Peranakan style.
Getting There Malaysia with its regional and budget airlines like Air Asia connects from KL with major destinations including Langkawi and Penang. From the UK, you can fly Malaysia Airlines from London Heathrow and Air Asia from London Stanstead.
When to go Malaysia has a hot and humid climate year-round, interspersed with tropical rain showers. There is a clear east-west split in the weather. The wet season on the east coast is between November & February, which is when the west coast experiences sunny, dry weather. Conversely, the wettest months on the west coast are April to October, which are the driest months on the east coast. The capital, Kuala Lumpur has less rainfall during June to August.
Destination
Peninsular Malaysia, MalaysiaFeatured
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