The Prestige Hotel started operations on 1 June 2019, making it the latest addition to Penang’s hospitality scene. The luxury hotel is located at Church Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh Gereja), right in the heart of George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by Victorian architecture, the building has 5 floors in total.
The ground floor consists of an arcade of retail outlets including The Glasshouse, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. This eatery is also where in-house guests have breakfast. The Glasshouse presents a spacious feel through the clever use of glass and mirrors.
Open to the public, The Glasshouse serves local delights, Western grills, burgers, pizzas and pastas. Between 11:30am and 2:30pm, customers who order any main course from the à la carte menu can enjoy free flow of salad, soup and desserts from the food counter.
Signature Beef Burger (RM26.00) is one of the restaurant’s bestsellers. Sandwiched in a honey wheat bun is a large homemade beef patty. Also included are beef bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, tomato slices and lettuce. The humongous burger comes with truffle steak fries and paprika mayo, making it a truly satisfying meal.
The salad bar allows diners to mix their own salads. Fresh vegetables, black olives, kidney beans, peanuts and raisins are provided. As for salad dressings, there are olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette and Thousand Island dressing.
Today’s vegetable soup is fairly rich in taste. There are also croutons and country bread to go with the creamy soup.
Soybean puddings and muffins serve as desserts. Meanwhile, fresh fruits are apples, mangoes, papayas and watermelon. There are also vintage cookies like iced gem biscuits to evoke nostalgia from the yesteryears.
The drinks menu covers coffee, tea, juices and alcoholic beverages. My choice of beverage is Peppermint Mocha (RM18.00), an ice-blended frappé with a true taste of chocolate. The drink is topped with whipped cream, cocoa powder, marshmallow and chocolate wafer stick.
After my meal, I am honored to be given a tour of the newly opened hotel. The Prestige has a total of 162 guestrooms divided into 4 room types. The interior design of each room adopts minimalist principles. Most interestingly, the shower stall is placed at the center of the room!
As for amenities, the hotel has an infinity pool and a 24-hour gym on the top floor. Sunloungers next to the pool gives mesmerizing views of Penang Strait. Meanwhile, the poolside terrace and gazebos provide an idyllic setting for small weddings.
Name: The Glasshouse
Address: 8, Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-217-5888
Business hours: 6:30am-11:00pm
Website: http://theprestige.my/arcade-dining
Coordinates: 5.41651 N, 100.34278 E
Directions: The Prestige Hotel is a 5-storey building that extends almost the entire length of Church Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh Gereja). The Glasshouse is located on the ground floor, next to the hotel lobby. The hotel has a parking garage on Level 2. Street parking is also available along Church Street Ghaut.