The Millen Penang, Autograph Collection – Marriott
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Much awaited, The Millen Penang, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, is now open! We’re excited to experience a weekend in this gorgeous property, testing out rooms, facilities, the spa, and, of course, its food and beverage offerings. By the same team behind Macalister Mansion, our expectations for an exceptional stay are high!
The Millen Penang Location
The 146-room-and-suite hotel is located on Millionaire’s Row (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah) in George Town, Penang. This places it within the historical 1800s setting of Northam Road, an address where first the British built their grand homes and, later, Chinese tycoons showed their wealth. It offers both historical context and accessibility to the cultural landmarks of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colonial architecture, vibrant street art and world-renowned food scene. Moreover, one side overlooks the sea and the other out to Penang Hill – the views are fantastic.
Brandishing the tagline “A Different Penang,” the concept aims to provide an experience that combines colonial-inspired design with contemporary sophistication under the leadership of General Manager Catherine Townsend. Catherine is no newbie to Malaysia. Her last post was with the iconic YTL group before and during the pandemic. After several years in Australia, she returned to open The Millen Penang. With her extensive food and beverage background and experience in luxury properties, we’re pretty confident this will be reflected in the hotel’s offerings. She says, “The Millen Penang is our chance to bring a new level of luxury to the island, and everyone on the team is excited to level up to the challenge.”
Rooms & Suites
The Millen Penang is home to 146 rooms and suites ranging from a generous 56m² to 156m², offering either views of the Andaman Sea or sweeping views across the town’s roofscape with the all-embracing vista of Penang Hill as the backdrop. Each is equipped with premium linen, marble-clad interiors, dual vanities, floor-to-ceiling windows, and luxurious bathtubs (and, oh, wow, the bathtubs!). Organic amenities are provided in line with their sustainability approach, and bath products come in refillable pumps.
The modern interiors showcase a sophisticated design characterised by a serene palette of whites and creams and dark wood accents punctuated by deep blues and ochre upholstery. The layout strategically divides the spacious room into sleeping, living, and wardrobe zones, with a dresser that could double as a desk. A king bed with a boldly striped headboard anchors the sleeping area, complemented by minimalist bedside tables. Suites offer additional space with a separate lounge complete with a sofa and rocking chair, dining table, kitchenette and guest toilet. Natural textures in woven details and soft textiles contrast with smooth surfaces and warm-toned engineered wood flooring. Minimalist décor and strategic lighting enhance the architectural clean lines and maximise natural light from expansive windows.
It’s undeniably a gorgeous design, but at The Millen Penang, luxury resides in the thoughtful details that enhance the guest experience. For coffee or tea lovers, gooseneck kettles with precise temperature control and a Nespresso machine are provided for the perfect brew. Ensuring a restful night’s sleep, a curated pillow menu caters to individual preferences. A touch of brilliance lies in the practicality: every light switch is clearly labelled, eliminating the game of “Guess the Function.” We maintain a polished appearance and care for more delicate apparel with the steam iron and board. The exceptionally soft towels and luxurious 400-count sheets contribute to the feeling of being utterly pampered. Finally, the robes are so incredibly soft that they’re like cosying up to a baby duck. For ultimate comfort and privacy, both black-out and sheer blinds operate effortlessly at the click of a bedside button.
The details are superb. However, it’s the bathtub that’s the crowning glory – a showstopper that lingers in thoughts long after departure. It’s positioned beside a floor-to-ceiling window that perfectly frames either the slopes of Penang Hill or the blue expanse of the Andaman Sea. While a blind is provided for comfort, the windows are designed to be one-way, allowing guests to keep the blinds open to immerse in the views, even while bathing, with privacy assured. The tub is so enticing that despite a short two-night action-packed stay, I manage to squeeze in three sessions and still find myself wishing for more.
Our rooms are comfortable, and those bathtubs are dreamy, so much so that it could be tempting to order room service and never leave. However, The Millen Penang is a property that takes its food and beverage offerings seriously, and they are reason enough to visit the hotel (or leave your room).
Restaurants & Bars
Good Society
Good Society operates from 7 am to midnight, transitioning between a daytime café-bakery vibe and an evening gin bar. Mornings and afternoons feature British tea culture, including The Millen Devonshire Set (two freshly baked scones, clotted cream, house-made strawberry jam and tea), pastries and a light sandwich menu, alongside The Millen Espresso, a signature local coffee blend, and teas from Whittard of Chelsea. As evening arrives, the venue becomes a gin bar with the “Gin-uinely Yours” menu, serving over 20 gin labels, diverse garnishes (spices, herbs, fruits), and five Fever-Tree tonics. The beverage selection also includes classic cocktails and many alcohol-free options.
We don’t miss the chance to take advantage of Tipple Time, a daily celebration where you can purchase two selected house pours and get a third on the house. Cocktails and wine are our thing, so we check out a couple of each. The list of gins, garnishes and sodas seems to lead to infinite possibilities so I consult Good Society’s supervisor, Alif. He says you can’t go past Hendrick’s Gin (RM 40) with a twirl of kyuri cucumber, sour plum, and Fever-Tree Refreshing Light. I ask for half tonic and half soda to cut the sweetness and he’s happy to oblige. Their classics pass the mark, too, with my Negroni made to the classic recipe and enhanced with smoke.
It’s not only cocktails that are worthy of attention, but the wine list at Good Society is notable, too. They have an impressive collection of Old World, New World, entry-level and premium wines, and also an excellent wine-by-the-glass list that is both diverse and affordable. We have a lovely vegan Clearly Organic Airén Sauvignon Blanc (RM 36), a refreshing experience with its crisp acidity and vibrant citrus and tropical fruit notes. It showcases the bright character of Sauvignon Blanc complemented by the subtle, fruity undertones of Airén. For an easy-drinking red, the Domaine Gayda T’air D’OC IGP Syrah (RM 32) presents aromas of dark berries, pepper, and subtle floral notes. We like this served slightly chilled as conditions warm so quickly in Penang.
Smartly dressed in plaid pants and white shirts, the bar staff welcomes people from all walks of life—it is a “Good Society” after all. The team wants to curate a neighbourhood-friendly hotel, not just for travellers but a place where the surrounding community also feels well-received. Unlike many hotels that attempt to replicate the local experience and charge three times the price, The Millen Penang does it differently, and we find a prime example in Lili, a floor above Good Society.
Lili
Lili is the hotel’s modern Malaysian cuisine restaurant, emphasising responsibly sourced and cruelty-free ingredients. It features a communal dining concept, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with à la carte options, a semi-buffet brekkie, and set lunches. Here, we’re excited about mouthwatering local ingredients elevating Western recipes. It’s a respectful nod to the Penang community without attempting local dish copies with exorbitant price tags. We like this restaurant so much that we’ve written a separate article about our experience at Lili here.
Blacklinen
From a welcoming ground floor that transitions seamlessly from pastries and coffee to gin and tapas and a contemporary local gastronomy restaurant with casual tropical vibes, The Millen Penang is made complete with a modern grill kitchen on the ninth floor, Blacklinen. It’s a hotel tenant that lifts the dining options with its sophisticated décor, dry-aged meats and seafood, and fine wine list (including an eye-goggling selection from the owner’s collection). Headed by Chef Benny Yeoh of the famed Blanc in Macalister Mansion, it’s worth a trip to Penang just to dine here! Find the full experience and our recommended must-orders at Blacklinen here.
Breakfast at The Millen Penang
Our room includes brekkie, which is one à la carte main dish accompanied by a continental spread of fruit, pastries, kueh (local sweets), cheese, cereals and a couple of live stations for noodles, pancakes and waffles. I much prefer this to a mass market buffet. My main affair comes out hot and precisely cooked on the spot, and if I need more, there’s plenty to pick from at the smorgasbord. We’re fortunate to spend a couple of nights in the hotel, so we have a chance to check out several mains. The Avocado, Millionaire’s Row River Prawn & Crab Omelette, and Penang Nasi Lemak SEDAP are all on our hot list of top brekkie picks.
If you’re not a big eater and want to take advantage of locally roasted specialty coffee, Good Society provides a quick alternative with pastries, sandwiches, smoothies, premium tea and artisanal coffee downstairs. I appreciate the quiet, fanned but not air-conditioned, semi-outdoor area to the front of the outlet. It’s filled with plants, and the plantation shutters allow a little of the sea breeze to drift in. Another place I wish I had more time in, is the deck on the ninth floor.
Facilities
The ninth floor of The Millen Penang is where we find the 24-hour fitness room (filled with high-quality Technogym equipment), the glass-walled saltwater-treated pool, sundeck and spa. The deck is furnished with loungers and umbrellas, but the best time to visit is early morning to catch the sunrise, or after midday when the sun has moved behind the hotel creating a shaded, cooler patio experience.
I have a fabulous time unwinding at Nut&Meg Spa with a massage that seems to melt my tensions away. The spa menu draws inspiration from Indian, Malay and Chinese healing wisdom, offering various styles of massage, facials and body treatments. There are private treatment rooms, each equipped with a steam shower (heavenly) and a large bathtub. During my next stay, I’ll definitely be allocating more time here!
The Millen Penang Review
Penang is one of the hottest places to visit in Malaysia for a very good reason! The exceptional cuisine – from street food to fine dining -art, culture, heritage and a bumper collection of boutique hotels at varying budgets are wonderfully enticing. The opening of The Millen Penang only enhances the island’s attractiveness, providing luxury appeal firmly rooted in the local context, but with everything done just a little differently.
Reasons to stay at The Millen Penang: a blend of heritage and contemporary luxury; prime location on Millionaire’s Row; great ocean or Penang Hill views: thoughtfully curated dining and wellness experiences; and oh, those bathtubs!
The Millen Penang, Autograph Collection – Marriott
55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Link to The Millen Penang on Google Maps
+6 04-565 8888
@themillenpenang
Find more recommendations for travel to Penang here and stay updated with the latest gourmet happenings around Malaysia via The Yum List on Instagram here and The Yum List on Facebook here.