It's All About the Magic

IF THE LATE illusionist and stunt performer Harry Houdini were still alive today, and on a vacation in Penang, he would feel very much at home at the newly opened The Prestige Hotel.

It's hard to believe that this newly-built 162-room hotel, located near Church Street in Georgetown, was once a former godown that was too run down to preserve. But now, the five-storey building has been restored to new glory with a regal colonial demeanour, thanks to its design by Malaysian firm KL Wong Architect, with the interiors and branding by Singapore firm Ministry of Design (MOD).

MOD founder Colin Seah is no stranger to designing hotels in Penang, having put his touch to Macalister Mansion and Loke Thye Kee Residences. In fact, The Prestige Hotel's owner Tommy Koay liked the Macalister Mansion so much, that he hired Mr Seah to design his first hotel.