MANGO TREE PLACE HOTEL REVIEW

Mango Tree Place Boutique Hotel- Penang Hotel Review

Mango Tree Place- Boutique Hotel in Penang

MANGO TREE PLACE BOUTIQUE HOTEL- A PENANG HOTEL REVIEW

On my way to Mango Tree Place, I couldn’t help but recall their charming website with its relaxing music and unique, interesting design. This unusual boutique hotel aims to ‘provide interesting spaces and unique experiences’. It describes Mango Tree as an ‘away home’ (ie. ‘home away from home’). Intriguing. I wondered what I’d find?

Mango Tree Place- Penang

I soon discovered that Mango Tree Place is located down a quaint, very quiet, residential street off Jalan Burma, just 10-15 minutes from Georgetown’s central heritage district. The ‘hotel’ is a collection of row houses, renovated with original fixtures in tact and splashed with pastel colors, natural-material decor, and contemporary furniture. I arrived at reception, as such, which is much more like a private living room than a hotel lobby. In fact, there’s nothing ‘hotel like’ at all about Mango Tree Place.

lobby of Mango Tree Place- Penang

Their young ‘suitekeeper’ greeted me with her very relaxed, down-to-earth, casual manner. Nothing stiff or formal about either the staff, the living room lobby, or the check-in procedures. Just simple and friendly. I felt more like I was visiting a friend of a friend than checking into a hotel.

my room at Mango Tree Place

The suitekeeper soon escorted me to my room- down the street, to be exact! It proved to be housed in yet another renovated row house, the back quarters of the ground floor. Upstairs was another suite. A common living room occupied the front room of our house, complete with a computer to use, sofa, coffee table, magazine, and photos on the walls. Although other guests were staying upstairs that day, I only heard them once, when they returned in the evening. I didn’t see them at all. Very private.

My Garden Suite at Mango Tree Place

My ‘room’ was more like an apartment, sans full kitchen. Being in a historical colonial home, it sported large rooms with high ceilings, which made it feel very spacious. My ‘apartment’ had a sitting room, bedroom overlooking my own private outdoor patio, and a massive bathroom tiled in sleek black. It reminded me of my days in the USA, twenty years earlier, when I’d rented my own apartments during university days. The whole place was immediately relaxing and familiar.

My Garden Suite at Mango Tree Place

My ‘apartment’ sported a very interesting blend of interior elements: plain cement floors, pastel colored walls, natural fiber baskets. It was modern, casual, and comfortable in a notably traditional home.

The suitekeeper soon left me to myself and I settled in. Immediately I was struck by… utter silence. Mango Tree is immensely quiet and peaceful! The perfect place to de-stress, unwind, escape, or maybe indulge in a romantic getaway. (But perhaps not so good for those who want to be in ‘the thick of things’, go out socializing, or who get lonely easily).

Mango Tree is ecology minded, as stated on their cute website. Throughout the rooms are little reminders and tips for ‘green living’. For example, they only change sheets during your stay when you request it. Otherwise, they simply make the bed up for you each day. If you want a daily sheet change, they’ll do it. Your choice. They also have citronella mosquito spray for use in the rooms, rather than chemical sprays.

Garden Suite Bathroom- Mango Tree Place- Penang

My charming bathroom- Mango Tree Place- Penang

Mango Tree Place has all the little amenities of a 5-star hotel: mini-fridge, bottled water, tea, private safe, free wifi, large screen LCD TV with movies, news, and Nat. Geo channels, a/c. But it’s thankfully ‘missing’ that 5-star hotel formality and sometimes bustling groups of vacationers. On the other hand, don’t expect a swimming pool or restaurant. Aside from a sumptuous breakfast, which is included in the room rate, you can choose from a vast selection of nearby local eateries.

Mango Tree is located a bit away from Georgetown’s main cultural attractions. That also means it’s away from heavy traffic, bars, and noise. Yet, it’s really not far. In fact, you can walk to Georgetown’s main attractions in 20-30 minutes. By bus it’s 12-15 minutes. By taxi about 10 minutes. So, in the end, the location is nearly as convenient as being right in the heart, but without the noise and bustle.

wonderful breakfast at Mango Tree Place- Penang

Rates include free wifi, unlimited computer use (in case you’re not carrying your own laptop), and breakfast. Ah, the breakfast! Brilliant. A traditional Penang 3-tiered tin container filled with local delicacies awaited me the following morning at the guest dining area, back behind the ‘living room’ reception. One tier contained a traditional Malay breakfast of sauteed noodles, one tier had a Chinese breakfast of steamed pork bun and Penang sweet corn pancake, the third had Indian roti served with curry. Three breakfasts in one! Fabulous! That was served with fruit juice, sliced fruit, and tea or coffee. They even had fresh espresso. I couldn’t have been happier.

brilliant breakfast at mango Tree Place- Indian roti, Chinese pork bun, Malaysien sauteed noodles

After my delicious breakfast, I sat chatting with the suitekeeper. One of the hotel partners stopped by to say hello. We all had a pleasant discussion about travels, light politics, and Mango Tree. Soon after, I caught their free guest ‘shuttle’ back into town to resume my usual life in bustling downtown Georgetown.

Living Room Lobby of Mango Tree Place

The only very minor improvement I could suggest would be to place the bath towels in the bathroom instead of on a shelf just inside the main door of the suite. Naturally, silly me, I had eagerly hopped in the nice hot shower to soak, then afterward found myself standing there dripping wet with.. ah, no towel! :)

As testament to my wonderful, relaxing stay at Mango Tree: As soon as I got back to my usual neighborhood, an acquaintance said, “ Well, Lash, you look very happy this morning. What have you been up to?” “Well…. “

Lash at Mango Tree Place

I heartily recommend Mango Tree Place to anyone looking for that ‘staying in a home’ feeling, for peace and quiet, or for a de-stress retreat. You’ll walk away glowing.

Check their innovative website for rates and reservations, location, more details, and contact information:

Mango Tree Place

29 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong / Georgetown / Penang / Malaysia

phone: 6014-246-2132

I hope you found my Mango Tree Place Hotel Review helpful.

If you’re heading to Penang, you’ll find my various travel tips, photos and reviews of Penang useful.

*Disclaimer: Although Mango Tree Place generously sponsored my stay, this review reflects my candid opinions and views.

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