GEORGE TOWN, Feb 3 — Recently launched amidst a joyful cacophony of loud fire crackers and acrobatic lion dancers, the 1881 Chong Tian Hotel is one of the latest places to dine in Penang.

The beautifully-restored hotel in Jalan Pintal Tali is situated smack bang in the middle of the UNESCO Heritage Site of George Town, and claims to be the only one of its kind in the country.

“We believe it was originally a hotel of the same name for rich businessmen and travellers built around the end of the 19th century,” proprietor Seah Kok Seng explained.

It was in a dilapidated condition when he acquired it in 2010, but months of painstaking work and millions of ringgit later, it has been restored to its former glory, and turned back into a charming boutique hotel with 11 spacious en-suite rooms. Each has been designed with a unique colour scheme and characteristics, and furnished with valuable genuine antiques and Chinoiserie.

In the middle of the ground floor, two serene air wells, complete with ponds and water features, are connected by a lovely round entrance. There’s a small museum on the middle floor with some interesting old Chinese vases and artefacts on display, and right at the top, you can sit and enjoy a drink or snack in their breezy rooftop bar during the day, or look down on the twinkling lights of George Town by night.

However, people don’t just come to stay in the gorgeous rooms or to admire the fixtures and furnishings, stunning though they are: the place has rapidly established itself as a place Penang folk head for when they want to eat good food. There are two dining options: Western on one side and Eastern (Chinese) on the other.

“Being a Chinese heritage hotel, we had to have an outlet,” the businessman-turned hotelier explained. “In our culture, eating is of paramount importance. When we greet each other, we don’t ask how things are but whether the other person has eaten!”

And eat you will in their amazing red, blue and gold dining room, furnished with more antique yet serviceable furniture, and enjoy the wonderful traditional ambience and décor that they have managed to achieve. The executive chef in charge here is Lim Wah Keat, aka Monk, who brought with him ample experience from his 20 plus years as a chef.

That day, we tried the Chinese menu, which comprises a mix of traditional Cantonese and popular local specialties like Inchi Kabin, Chicken Curry, Assam Fish Curry and Yam Duck. There are also one-plate dishes like Seafood Sar Hor Fun which I have heard many rave about, with good reason: it’s full of fragrant wok hei. Their different types of fried rice are also quite popular.

“During our soft launch, we served our chef’s special Thai Fried Rice, and the next day people came back asking for it!” Seah said with a laugh.

Their Chong Tian Specials are gaining popularity, but require pre-ordering for tables of 10 and more, with dishes like “The Five Blessings at the Door”, “Fo Tiao Qiang” and “Poon Choy Abalone.” What will really make the experience quite exclusive is you will dine like Chinese royalty might have, eating off ornate Dragon Bowls, complete with gold handles, and other lavish crockery.

It’s early days yet, and although they are gaining a well-earned reputation, I look forward to them establishing themselves firmly in Penang’s great dining scene.

For details or reservations, call the supervisor Angie at 04-263-1881.

* 1881 Chong Tian Hotel, 38 Jalan Pintal Tali, 10100 George Town, Penang. (website: www.1881chongtian.com)