mylifestylenews: The STRAITS COLLECTION Residences @ Pre War Shop Houses Experience In Penang

2015-02-11

The STRAITS COLLECTION Residences @ Pre War Shop Houses Experience In Penang

The UNESCO listed heritage architecture of Georgetown is a definite must see, but you can also enjoy some history first hand by staying in the heart of the heritage precinct along the infamous Armenian street. The Straits Collection Residences - A pre war restyled shop houses cast aside any thoughts of living in a museum as this accommodation option offers all you need more than just a home stay, mylifestylenews writes……

The Straits Collection Residences is a collection of heritage shop houses in true BON TON style (managed by The brand BON TON who also owns and operates two heritage resorts in Langkawi, both of which having won international awards) that have been lovingly restored and restyled with updated mod-cons. This is not to say they have obliterated the oriental charm, as all key facets of the original shop houses have been well kept and given a spruce up (all the shop houses were in quite a state before being acquired), while still telling a story about the & heritage and history of the particular house.

We checked-in to one of the four residences at NO.93, a double-story house in the heart of Armenian street. Just a word of caution, these houses are not for the faint-hearted or infirm, as the bedroom is located at the top of vertiginous stairs on the first floor.

Yet, the furniture and general fit-out has been carefully considered to give you that feeling of how it was and is to live in these narrow and extremely high ceiling shop houses with an indoor tranquil courtyard - the coolest place in the entire house and perfect for an afternoon nap especially in such tropical climate.

The exterior façade is definitely preserved to add the authenticity of this heritage shop houses as well as the interior is kept at its best condition decorated in vibrant color, chic and modern furniture are chosen to suit the vintage classy mood. Original wooden shutters for windows and large wooden panels for doors are kept as it is to let light in and for the natural air flow.

The up stair bedroom polished concrete, wooden floors and bare stone walls create the perfect backdrop for the eclectic selection of furniture, floors rugs and object d’arts. When it comes to comfort, never fear, as the Straits Collection Reesidences definitely have a sense of living in a very comfortable private home. One delightful touch is that you have two bathrooms: a shower and toilet upstairs and a free-standing wooden bathtub/shower and separate toilet downstairs in the internal courtyard area.

The bedroom is incredibly spacious with minimal furniture for every basic thing you need, in addition to the large bed, a day bed can be used as extra bed for additional guest or for family with kids. The vanity table and additional seating, two China cabinet wardrobes adding more live to this spacious bedroom. The color window stained glass brought in just the right of of lighting coming through from the Armenian street. It is well positioned for all your needs and truly looks like it has come out of the pages of a design magazine under the category of raw heritage luxury.

The Straits Collection Residences are superbly located on the heritage trail and nothing seemed too far away, as walking is the best way to see the historic precinct of Georgetown, zigzagging up and down the streets and lane ways with street wall arts, cafes, temples of clans, mosques....this neighborhood is full of rich history sight and sounds. Not forgetting another essential reason for many visitors flocking in to this UNESCO Penang old town for its renown local street food and its Oriental heritage charm.